New-York tribune., 1885-02-01
CITY MATTERS AT ALBANY
THE PROSPECTS OF LEGISLATION.


rur PROPOSED SPRING ELEcTION-wHAT LEGIs-
IAroRs SAY OF THAT AND OTHER MEASURES.
Several members of the Legislature and
ormber of local politicians and other interested persons
Yesterday discussed the Astor House corridor the pros
poets of city legislation Senator Gibbs the handsonest
member OF the legislature who Is chairman OF the SEN
ate Committee on Cities, Senator Cullen, another mem
Der of that body General Barnum, chairman OF the AS
senbly ommittee Cities, General Heath, OF Brook
lyn Senator Murphy and other representatives at Al
bany were among those who joined at times In the
conversation SO much OF the time OF the Legislature
was taken up the choice of United States Senator
that little yet been accomplished In the way OF les
ation OF the 272 bills introduced In the Assembly ana
l47 in the Senate about onefourth relate especially to
Eew-York City. Only few of these, however, nave YET
received consideration in the committees.
II was general preston OF those who Joined In
this informal talk yesterday that bill providing for
spring elections might pass at this session one OF the
objections such measure has been the extra eX-
pense to the city yearly
TO nearly 100000 But it proposed
to lengthen tho terms Of tho Aldermen
and to hold spring election only every other year
Charles p Miller Francis NJ Scott and several other
young advocating this measure and that
said endanger its passage at Albany The efforts
which these young Democrats have made to secure
personal advancement through reform legislation at
Albany have made them unpopular with the Legislators
That has tendency TO any measure which they ad
yocate One Senators said that committee OF re-
sponsble citizens and taxpayers could secure the passage
OF almost any reform this year. but the young
lawyers ambitious for Office would do well to remain at
home. Mr.. Miller. who Said to be candidate for
CORPORATION Counsel, has been watching leg
islatlOn at Albany IN tho interest OF Mayor
Grace. Following the days Of the Tweed Ring
was the practice OF the heads Of the departments to
send legislative agents TO Albany and pay them from the
contingency fund. Ex-Controer Green attacked the
fln1A
asserting that there authority for their
employment, 1t the business oil
the city members of the Legislature TO attend to city
legislation The abuse, however, has been partially re
viyed within few years and 1t is reported that the
Mayor has employed Mr. Miller and the Corporation
Counsel has employed Luke f. Cozans to watch
matters at Albany this year, while other
department heads occasionally send agents
70 further or defeat particular measures in which
they interested.
One Of the important city bills that Is likely Ia
become q law is that making the Dock Department sub
ject TO the Board OF Estimate, and abolish
ing its right to expend $3.0oo.o00 a yeai
by the issue Of bonds Among the Other
city measures already introduced the following
Limiting the height OF buildings providing i meneiRa E
partment member Of the Aqueduct Board (which wa
vetoed last year., and bill providing for TWO more Lonc
justices Democratic member out OF con slderatl0n
the Prohibuonists who aided that party last year. ha
% bill tas, qSST S ho"4e OF 9a e
and i y. m. Ii is said that the Democrats
will push this measure, hoping to secure Its passage
Ihs usual number of jobs suspicious measures IN I'M
way Of relief bills for former city officials are coming tt
the surface The met with last year IN getns
euen measures on the statute books has On
eouraged the old claimants, many OF whom
are relics OF the Tweed time. One bill
already introduced provides FOR tic relief Of district
sourt yanitor who wants pay for work alleged to have
Inspector Eserbrook ha been trying for several year:
20 secure tie passage of new building law but
mas lacd As the matter were entirely
new and light was needed it. Senator DAILY has In
fodhced oi 10 create special commission TO draw u
such measure or eoursc II Is proposed that the al
ponthient of the commission shall be lodged with Iie
Democratic Governor. ~ '
"A eomnIttce has already beeu authorized
10 investigate The gas question II was
laid yesterday that committee will be authorized by
tne Asseaby 70 Investigate tie acts OF certain judges N
Tie recent contest appointments by the Mayor Tho
Efforts of certain County Democrats the courts fo
aitsah purposes VIII be exposed by this
carried out as proposed II Is rumorod that tbs
f'ss OF the Connty Democracy and OF his yount