New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-21
ANEW COMMISSION CREATED.
SENATOR FAssETTS AoUEDUCT BILL PASSED
BY TIE LEGISLATURE
A LIVELY DEBATE ALL ALONG THE LINE-sENs
AToR MURPHY ALSO PRESENTS BfLL-MR
CANTOR THINKS THERE'S DEAL
MR. PLATT DENoUNCEs THE PA.
PER-THE BILL IN THE AS
sEMBLY-PRovIsI0NS OF
THE NEW ACT.

| THE NEW ACT.
TDr TELEGRAPH THE TRrBuNzv
Albany, July 20.-The members OF the Repubs
lican majority in the Legislature have responded
to the demand OF the citizens Of New-York that
the present Aqueduct Commission should be abol-
ished and a new one created in which the city's
officers should have large representation. Tho
taxpayers of New-York may thank the Republican
Legislature which appointed committee to in
vestgate the conduct Of the Aqueduct Commis-
sioners for this wholesome change. II Il had not
been for the evidence aboriously collected by the
Senate Committee in regard to the acts OF the
Aqueduct Commissioners IL would have been
impossible to have ousted the Commissioners from
Office. As the Aqueduct Commission has yet to
expend some S2O,000.O00, il is easy to
mark the Importance Of the service rendered TO
the City of New-York By the Republican Legs-
lature in passing the bill reforming the Aqueduct
Commission
The conference was held late last night in ths
room in the Kenmore Hotel of Senator Hendricks,
of Syracuse. of tho members of the committee.
which attended by Senator Fassctt and Sem
ator Van Cott. the other two Republican members
Of the committee. and by Senator's Sloan and
Kellogg AssembynIcn Hamilton, Crosby and other
prominent Republican members Nearly all pres
ent were members OF a subcommittee appointed
by the Republican caucus TO manage affairs in the
Legislature in emergencies when a caucus could
not be held. Senators Fassett Hendricks and
Van Cott unanimously advised their Republican
associates to pass a bill removing the Aqueduct
Commissioners 1t was deemed iudicious TO keep
the decision Of the conference a secret. Assembly,
man Hamilton. of New-York. had already drawn
up bill for the removal of the Aqueduct Com
missoners. and il was adopted
Before the Senate met this morning the Repub.
aS ST in fho
Senate Chamber were informed Of the plan Of
the subcommittee, and they all agreed to support
such O measure. Senator Fassett learned, how.
ever, just before the Senate called to order,
that Senator Murphy intended TO introduce on
behalf of the Democrats bill for the removal
Of the Aqueduct Commission, and therefore
went to him and said that while the Republicans
would not permit the passage of a measure in
tended TO aid the Democratic party, they had no
objection to its being advanced TO q third read-
ing. Senator Cantor the two Senators talk.
ing and instantly suspected that they had formed
some kind of alliance. He was soon confirmed
in this view.
Senator Murphy's bill provided for the appoint
ment of an Aqueduct Commission, consisting Of
the Mayor Controller, Commissioner Of Public
Works, President Of the Beard Of Aldermen and
three citizens. lie offered it the Senate
had been called to order, and the Republicans per-
mitted him to advance it to the order of third
reading, when Senator Fassett suddenly moved
that the bill OF the Republicans should be sub
stitutcd for it. This abolished the present Aque-
duct Commission and substituted board COM
posed of Mayor Hewitt, Controller Myers, Commits
soner Newton, OF the Department Of Public
Works, and four citizens, two Republicans and
two Democrats, to be appointed by Mayor Hewitt
Moreover, the act gave the Mayor Of New-fork
and the Governor authority to remove on charges
the Aqueduct COMMISSIONERS power IL is said.
which they do not now possess
CANTOR AS THE BOLD SPOKESMAN.
Senator Cantor, upon hearing the bill read, pcrs
ceived that three County Democracy men, namely.
Mayor Hewitt, Controller Myers and Commissioners
Newton, would be members of the new Aqueduct
Commission, and that Tammany Hall would have
no representatives Perhaps this large bestowat
of patronage upon the County Democracy might
prevent the dissolution of that organization, now
in progress, and seriously embarrass Tammany
Hall in her efforts to elect Hugh J. Grant as Mayor
Senator Cantor therefore angrily denounced Sena-
tor Murphy as having acted in collusion with the
Republicans
Senator Murphy the County Democracy leader.
who be it said desires the County Democracy's
nomination for Sheriff in New-York, affected to be
highly indignant at this accusation Of Senator Cam
tor. He might have been engaged in little bit
of theatricals with Senator Fassett, but why have
it brutally brought forth into the light? Senator
Murphy said that he had never heard a more
shameful statement than that made by Senator
Cantor. He had not made any alliance with the
Republicans That must be clear to every one.
as his bill radically differed from theirs Then, ia
prove his loyalty, Senator Murphy roundly de~
nounced the Republicans for partsanship in pro-
viding in their bill that two of the new Aqueduco
Commissioners should be Republicans. The Re-
publicans had better trust to Mayor Hewitts sense
OF fairness Doubtless he would appoint some Re~
publicans as members Of the Board
Senator Fassett laughed, and said he was greved
over the lack Of harmony among the Democrats
We're you not one of the persons in conference
with Senator Murphy broke in Senator Cantos
excitedly.
"IIe was not angrily replied Senator Murphy
for Senator Fassett, who smiled Senator Fasseta
then said TO Senator Cantor
WHY our bill was recommended BY the NewYork news
papers to-day and by eGMayor Grace OF New-fork iass
night We have made President Forster Of the Board
OF Aldermen member OF the Aqueduet Commission be-
all Presidents Of the Board OF Aldermen
will not be OF as good character Mr. Forster As for
giving Republicans places In the Commission. IL
sufficient reply that in 1884 the Republicans poled
90 600 votes and the Democrats only 1884, 900
votes. Comparing those votes the Republicans shou1
have more than members Of the Conlssion out OF
seven members we Hight we'll claim tnfeo mehOSfS
but we do do We recognize the right OF tho
Mayor the Controller and the Commissioner OF Public
Works members OF this AQueduet Commission. and
give mCcratc Of Mes York ample
sentatlon
PLEADING FOR DEMOCRATIC CONTROL.
Senator Pierce Democrat, a member OF tho
Fassett Committee, endeavored 10 save the Aque-
duct Commissioners. lie said:
Mr. Chairman. this questionable legislation.
There certainly members OF that Aqueduct Commission
who reputable We pronounce adverse Judgment
where there evidence undertake to some Of
the members that AQuefuct Board from wrong
doing. Either these bills throws cloud upon her
reputation We all influenced by public clamor. The
Governor himself recommended that some action bs
taken IL n are rnina 70 al all should give tho