New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-26
THE SENATE DOES IT'S DUTY.
NOW THE GOVERNOR'S TURN.
FOUR REFORM BILLS READY FOR Mr..
FLOWERS SIGNATURE
REPUBLICAN, PLEDGES REDEEMED.

PASSAGE OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
RAPID TRANSIT ELL. THD LEXow BIZ
PARTISAN POLICE COMMISSION BILL
THE sHERIFFs SALARY BILL THE
DOCK COMMISSION BILL. AND
THE MAYORS POWER OF
REMOVAL MEASURE
ysoM TIE REGULAR coRREsroxDESr OF THE rRrpcSn.
Albany. April 25.-It has been a favorite state
ment of Democratic and Mugwump newspapers
Of late. and the statement has been echoed by
Democratic Senator'S and Assembymen, that
THE Republican Legislature has accomplished
nothing" 1t is true that the Legislature in ques-
ton cannot make laws out of hand. being en-
barrassed by the presence Of a Democratic Gov
ernor: but, then, ut has accomplished nothing"
1t has accomplished nothing-but yet 1t has
made appropriations less by 81. 900 than those
OF its Democratic predecessor; and it has reduced
the State tax rate from 2.5s mills to 2.lS mills
1t has accomplished nothing; but yet In the
passage Of the Bipartisan Police Board bill II
has given New-York City assurance OF clean
elections, and in that OF the OConnor
Inspectors act 1t has insured the honest
counting Of the ballots of the voters Of the state
as 1t has not been insured by any legislative
enactment Of the present generation. II has ac-
complished nothing. but yet in the Fuller act
taxing foreign corporations doing business in this
State it has put $500 900 into the State Treasury.
It has accomplished nothing; yet it has passed
an act depriving the Sheriff OF NewYork Of his
enormous fees of $50 900 annually. which. with
his 81. 900 salary made him the richest salaried
officer in the United States. 1t has accomplishing
nothing: but nevertheless In the act 1t has sent
to the Governor giving every Mayor Of New
York hereafter TO be elected the power 10 re-
move and appoint the heads Of city depart
ments it has put 1t in the power OF the voters
of New-York to create responsible government.
Moreover, before 1t adjourns the Republican Leg
isature intends to pass a blanket ballot bill ap-
proved by all reformers-so that perhaps the
Mugwump newspapers will acknowledge that the
Republican Legislature has done something.
MR. CANTOR TALKS ABOUT TWEED.
The Republican Senators sent to the Governor
to-day several of the New-York reform meas
ures Among them was the Mayors power OF
removal bill When the bill was announced
Senator Cantor moved to strike out the enactins
clause saying that If the bill became law 1t
would restore the days Of William NJ Tweed
in New-York. The Mayors of New-Ycrk would
be able 10 perpetuate their own rule indefinitely.
owing 10 the tremendous influence Of their power
Of appointment under such a bill as this 1t
ators intended to pass the act II they had been
left to themselves they would not have thought
of passing the bill But they had been coerced
in a caucus, and therefore argument with them
useless. He would only say that ehe Mayor
OF New York now had power TO remove heads OF
departments If after an investigation by the
Commissioners OF Accounts 1t was shown that
they had taken the city's money.
Senator SaXton replied % Senator Cantor and
made an earnest and forcible argument for the
bill. 1t was not pressed party measure by
the Republicans II ought to receive Democra tic
support for It gave homo rule to New-York.
The present system Of having Mayors with terms
of two years and commissioners with terms Of
six years prevented my responsibility in the
Governpent of the city.
Unless we give the next Mayor OF New-York
power 10 appoint new heads Of city Depart
ments." said Senator Saxton. IA sweeping victory
Of the people will have no substantial results.
The heads Of city departments would still remain
In the grip OF Tamma ry Hall | believe 1t to
be within the bounds OF possibility that the Re-
publicans another wing OF the Democratic
party will elect the Mayor of New-York this
fall. The peoples verdict then for reformation
Of the government Of New-York should be en-
forced"
Senator Guy. of Tammany Hall. smelled paru.
sanship in the measure. 1t was sham reform and
IL set in defiance Civil Service Reform principles
Senator Cantor offered amendment extend
ing the provisions Of the bill so as to cover all
the cities IN the state W nat WAS good LOT .>tW-
York ought to be good for all cities. Senator
Saxton declared that he glad to welcome
Senator Cantor to the ranks Of reformers, but
nevertheless. the amendment was put forward TO
secure the sending back Of the bill to the AS .
sembly. and therefore it must be rejected
1.-The Senate then took vote on the amend
nent. and it was rejected by vote OF II TO 19.
The bill was then passed by vote OF 90 to ~.
Senator Bradley voting with nineteen Republ!-
cans.
THE sHERIFF's SALARY FINED.
Following this action the Senate took up for
consideration the Sheffield bill giving the Sheriff
of New-York a salary Of $4,000 and transferring
his $50 900 fees to the treasury OF the city Sena-
tor Cantor. of course. opposed the passage of the
bill. The salary of 500 900 not large enough
to compensate the Sheriff for his pecuniary risks.
'If the Sheriff does his duties properly said
Senator Saxton his losses will not be more
than $5 900 n year. and thus he will have $4,000
year salary left InlS Is tuly enough Tor tnls
class of work
Senator Cantor acknowledged that $4,000 was
ample salary, but he thought that the fee system
should be preserved
A vote was then taken upon the bill. and IL was
passed by vote of Is TO IA. Senator Bradley
Owens and Reynolds. Of Brooklyn. voting with
the Democrats
The Republican Senator's then considered Sem
ator Saxtons bill prohibiting the Dock Depart
ment OF New-York from giving out any work
in excess OF $3.50 except by contract. The Tam
many Hall Senators. Of course. opposed this bill.
vote OF l9 to H. Senator Bradley voted with the
Republicans for this bin also. Senator Owens
did not vote upon the bill
The Senate also passed Senator Reynodss bill
creating a treet-Cleaning Department in Brook
lyn: Assemblyman Taylor's bill authorizing
Brooklyn TO appropriate 81, 100000 for street.
cleaning purposes: Senator Guys raising the
salary OF the clerk OF the City Court OF New
York Assemblyman Shefield's bill repeating the
act allowing FIRE Commissioners OF New-York
10 run for other Offices. and Senator Lexows
bill extending the time for the completion OF the
Hudson River Tunnel four years.
TIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BILL PASSED.
The Senate might near midnight passed by
A vote Of % to the Chamber Of Commerce bill