Connecticut western news., 1895-03-28
STATE LAWMAKERS.
WHAT IS BEING DONE AT ALBANY, HARRISBURG AND TRENTON.
Governn Morton Sends Message to the
 New York Legislature Asking For the Passage of the Police Magistrates BilI


 New York Legislature Asking For the Passage of the Police Magistrates Hill and Action In New York Police Reform.
 ALBANY, March a6.-The event of last evenings session was the introduction in the assembly by MT. Ainsworth of two po- lice bills for New York city. One pro- yides for bipartisan police commission to be appointed by the mayor. The other deputizcs the existing commission to rcor- canize the forco, but the mayor istlothcd with veto power on all of its arrange ments. So far as possible the Lexow and the committee of seventy measures have been incorporated. The bills were referred to the committee on cities
 When Mir. Gleason's hill rcpoaling tho Lawson dock bill, passed last year. was reached on the order of second roading, there was some hot discussion. which was ended by the bill being rrcommitted to the cities committee on motion of Mir O'Grady.
 Mir. Lawson moved the passage of tho police magistrates bill, and after some dis cussion it was passed-S5 to la.
 The following bills were passed; Sena- tor Cantor's, appropriating SI0,000 for the support of the schoolship St Mary's and turning same over to the state; Mir Pavey's, regulating the grades and pay of firemen In cities of 500, 900 inhabitants and increasing their pay, amended so as to exclude Brooklyn.
 A Message From the Governor. Governor Morton sont to the legislature a message urging the passage of the po- lice magistrates bill for New York city and recommending the adoption "of a measure that will place in proper hands the power to reorganize and regcnerate the police department of the metropolis !" | The governor says:
 "The constitution of tho state makes it my imperative duty to recommend to the | legislature from time to time such meas ures as I may deem expcdient I call the attention of the legislature to a matter of the highest present importance-namely the reorganization of the inferior crim- inal courts of New York city. Ton weeks have elapsed, but tho measure has not yet been passed by either house Unless prompt action is taken upon 1t there is danger that 1t may fail to become law. Such result would be n pubic misfor- tune. It Is widely, perhaps generally. be- lieved that in some of the present police courts there is today a practical denial of | justice.
 | This belief is strikingly sustained in the report made by tho Lexow committee. It is there charged that n very important reason why the police have been able to carry on and successfully pcrpetrato their reprehensihle practices is that at least some of the police justices have apparently worked in sympathy and collision with them.
 Tyranny of the Police"
 Again 1t is stated that because of the maladministration that prevails in those courts the poor and needy were unable to obtain redress or relief from tho oppres. sion or the tyranny of the police and that their path to justice was completely block. | ed
 "These arc serious charges and seem to be largely supported by public opinion in the city of New York. They invite the careful consideration of lawmaking power and call for speedy remedy. It Is tc these inferior criminal courts-tho very sources of the administration of criminal | justice-that the poor especially look fnr | protection from oppression and wrong. When these fountains of justice are pollut. ed the evil results to the people are be yond calculation.
 | "A doubt has been expressed as to the ! constitutionality of this bill, but that I doubt has been practically solved in its favor by the recently published opinions of somo of the most emipent and learned lawyers in New York city.
 1T desire also to call attention to tho need of prompt reorganization of the DO lice department of New York city.
 "Iu the testimony before the Dexow committee 1t was charged that many mem. bers of the police force, among them oiii' cers of high grade, were not only black. mailers and extortioners, but were active ly in league with the criminal classes. IL | Is generally believed that tho extent of al. legcd corrupt practices has not yet been fully revealed. therefore recommend the early passage of tho police magistrates bill, so called, and of a measure that will place in proper hands the power to reor- ganize and regcnerate the police depart | ment of the metropolis"
 l ALBANY, March 22. Tho two bills framed by Chairman Lexow for the reor- ganization of the police force of New York city were advanced in the senate to a third reading without material change. The debate was long and somewhat sharp.
 The Syracuse Investigating resolution was adopted by the assembly.
 The Armstrong bill to divide the state into four judicial departments, with gen. cral term headquarters at Brooklyn, New York, Albany and Rochester, passed the assembly by n vote of S6 to II.
 TRENTON, March 22.-The reconstruct cd track elevation hill, which provided for the elevation or depression ot railroad tracks in first class cities. the cost to be di- yided between the railroad company. tho state and the municipality, was defeated in the house-l5 to g..
 Tho house passed over the governor veto the Storrs naturalization bill; like wise the bill vesting in sheriffs of first class counties tho appointment of court | constablcs- Senator Gould's bill to amend tho elective judiciary bill by providing for | Q separate judge in those counties where. under the criminal law, it was provided one judge should net for two counties was also passed. The senate bill appropriating sS. 5c0 for the completion of an elevator and other embellishments of the Trenton battle monument was lost by vote of 23 l to 30
 TRENTON, March 23.-Tho house and senate have adjourned to meet on June 4 to receive the report of the senate commit te now Investigating the statehouSe cx- penditures. The closing minutes in both houses were marked by the passing or tho customary complimentary resolutions. Speaker Cross was presented with gold watch by tke members.
 Governor Mckinley III,
 COLUMBUS, O.. March .a2.-A private telegram to the governors office here says Mckinley is sick in bed at Thomasville from the effects of bad cold. The gov