New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-18
THE STREET RAILWAY BILL
VICTORY FOR 1T IN THE ASSEMBLY.

MUCH IMPROVED BY AMENDMENIb-IHE WAX On
THE LOBBYISTS.
[FRoM fHE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT oP THE TRrBUsZl
ALBANY, April 1.-THE General Street Railway
bill has passed the Assembly, much amended and
much improved. The elimination of such OF the
Objectionable features were cut ont of the bill
due to the steady opposition to the bill OF ths
best men in the Assembly. In the end, some OF
these men were SO well satisfied with the bill that
they voted for il.
Throughout the first hours of the session Of the
Assembly, negotiations in progress between
Messrs Roosevelt, Howe, and Hubbell. who opposed
the bl and Messrs House and W. T.. Smith, who
led the members favoring 1t, to see if their differ
ences could not be adjusted. In the meantime ths
members of the lobby filled the corridor outside OF
the Assembly Chamber and approximately lobbied
for and against the bill Finally the efforts Of the
lobbyists grew 50 offensive thati Mr. Roosevelt
gained the attention of the Assembly and said:
Mr. SPEAKER wish TO know n there i no netaSa Sa
by which this House prevent the anechanDefs be
corridors kand the committee rooms on tnls IoOt % t,h
here for interested purposes, whose presence con-
sutes scandal and shame 10 THIS House am cer-
tain voice the decent sentiment OF all the members,
when say that feel outraged at the presence III sncn
parors I'm tbe room where the Committee Ways and
Meals and all through the halls. OF men no ener
represent tine cable roads or the street rlNays u no
feel that t is a disgrace to that they should DO
allowed TO stay here feel that this building belongs
to the state and wish know II there Il not som2
method by which We who here as reresentaFes OF
the state prevent these men from coming mere.
not the Speaker ask that the corridors DC cleoo ""a
that the committee rooms be clearedI
Speaker Sheard said that he would adopt any
means that the Assembly might suggest for clearing
the corridors of the lobbyists.
NsTEUCuNG THE CAPITOL OFFICERS.
Them said MIR Roosevelt, =" i move that tho
Sergeant-atArms be instructed TO clear the lobbes.
We cannot consistently with our self respect permit
this thing to go on any longer"
"I doubt" said SIR Rice, Onr authority TO clear
the corridors. You ought TO call in the police
they are the proper persons to lodge complains
with. 1t is the duty of a man to file his complains
that the most effective measures can be taken 70
stop bribery"
at is not nv duty more than yours" said Mr..
Roosevelt. d" 1t is impossible to get proof. But L
feel that while we cannot AK the police to tske
action. we ought to see if the corridors cannot 10
cleared"
Mr. Hustled then said " l move that the superln-
tendent of Public Buildings be requested to expei
from the committee rooms all but members aud I'd
clear the corridors of lobbyists" This motion
was adopted by a unanimous vote. Soon after
ward the keepers Of the New Capitol were put ID
work driving the lobbyists out OF the corrldors'
FOUR HOURS OF DEBATE.
The debate on the General Street Railway bill
then began and continued for four hours. The bill
was under the charge of Mr.. House. who gave
opportunity to any that desired to offer ameDd-
ments to the bill ard to secure vote upon IL. is
should be said that there seemed a solid majority
behind the bill and that no amendments "eIo
adopted without Mr. Houses consent HoWeNei'
the bill was made a better one with ms cohseht;;
Thus in New-IOrk and Brooklyn, IT was proVlded
that after the existence of a street railway Iot
five years, the company owning II shall pay uit"
the city treasury per cent on the gross recelpH.
Before amendment only 3 per cent OF the gross
receipts were to be paid. There was a long
conflict over an amendment offered by Mr. Boynton
maKing compulsory the sale of the franchise OF q
railroad TO tie highest bidder. Messrs Roosevelt,
Olin. Howe, BOyntOn and Hubbell earnestly sup
ported this amendment showing that IN the graz
cities the venality of the Boards OF Aldermen wo1a
permit of the purchase at small price Of iranchscs
of enormous value Mr. House and W. T.. Smltn
said that the Railroad Commissioners had consldered
tins idea and had not approved OF 1t. Inc anend-
lDent was rejected by vote OF oil to I'll.
TIE FIGHT on SECTION FIFTEEN.
Mr. Littlejohn made long fight TO destroy
section Is. which he thought would permit Of tho
consolidation of all the street railroads in Nev-
York and Brooklyn. He was resisted by Mr.. hou-s
and defeated W. L. Smith then offered an amend
ment forbidding the consolidation o1 parallel roads
This adopted. ~ .
The bill was then passed by vote OF 80 to ID