The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-16
THE FREE PASS BILL LOST.
BUT IT LACKED ONLY ONE ToEE In
THE ASSEMBLY.

II May Ne Taken Up Again and P~assed-Raso-
ton to Investigate Charges Against Super
intendent Eastau The Greater New
York Police Hill Not Vet introduced.
ALBANY, March 15.-After a long debate in
the Assembly tonight, Senator wilcox's bill re-
curing railroads to transport free of charge
members Of the Legislature, State officers, and
Judges of the Supreme Court and Of the Court
OF Appeals was put TO a vote and lost, 10 to AZ.
The Constitution requires 70 affirmative votes to
pass a bill. A good many members were absent,
and Mr.. Roche Dem., N. " at once moved to
reconsider the vote and that his motion lie upon
the table. This was agreed to and the bill may
DO taken up again later and passed IL enough
votes can be secured.
The opposition to tho bill was based chiefly
upon its apparent unconstitutionality, and was
led by Mr.. Robbins. He cited the section of the
Constitution which provides that no State OFF,
cial shall receive o pass. II 1t were claimed
that tho free transportation required was
not in the nature OF a gift from the rail-
roads, 1t must be considered an extra emol-
ument from the State, and that would be
in violation OF the constitutional provision
against extra compensation over and above tho
salaries fixed by law. He also emphasized tho
fact that since the Introduction of tho bill IL had
boon extended to include Judges who might DO
called upon TO pass upon its constitutionality.
Messrs. Sanger, Van Keuren. and Hill also
spoke against the bill, and Mr.. Bondy supported
1t on the ground that the railroads received
valuable franchises from the State and should
be made to furnish FREQ transportation. Equity
demanded that Legislators who received only
$1,000 should have some provision mado for
them to go home and consult with their con-
stitucnts each week.
On motion of Mr.. Fitzgerald, the previous
question was ordered and tho vote was then
taken.
In the Senate tonight Mr.. Pavey introduced a
resolution reciting that grave charges are
made publicly rejecting upon the COM
potency and honesty Of the Superintend-
ent of Public Buildings" and calling for
the appointment Of an investigating ommitte
of five Senators, with the usual quota Of counsel,
messenger, &c. Superintendent Easton is a mem.
Dor OF the Albany Republican machine, and the
charges referred to have been made and reiter-
ated for the last week or ten days by local Dem
ocratic newspapers. They include extravaganza
in the employment of workmen about. the Gap.
1 rsieP Haa n to M thee %eo ! q for sns s@}eoss!s VIE lleS SsRss,th IN
tho Capitol and the Executive Mansion. Mr..
Trainor temples to offer a similar resolution
The Governor sent to the Senate the nomina-
bell 6aIIe Of Bath, Horatio G. King Of BrooEiyn, and
Geo. IL. Blackmer Of Wellsville to BIO trustees Of
the Soldiers and Sailors Home at Bath. All of
these were nominated for reappointment, and the
following additional nominations of managers
for the home were presented: Joseph p. Cleary
Daniel L. Sickles of New York, to succeed Ed,
win s. Jenny, and Hotchkiss s. Finch Of Rich
ford, to succeed Oliver ?. Colwel. The nomina-
Tho following bills wero passed in the As
scmbly:
Mr.. Austin's, authorizing New York city to issue
Of Natural History In Central Park and for the furnish.
ing OF Increased facilities for exhibition and instruc-
ton.
Mr.. Dudley's. authorizing the Comptroller of the
State to buy lands for the State which have previously
Senator Cantor's, extending until Dec. 81, 1897, the
time in which the Elevated RAILROAD Passenger Com
pany may complete its organization and make the
senator Hisbie's, providing for the application and
distribution OF receipts from premiums collected from
foreign IRE insurance companies doing business In
this state.
The following bills were introduced:
Senator McNulty-Providing for the improvement
Of the streets and avenues bounding Prospect Park in
senator cantor-Providing that the salary of the
oral sessions In New York shall be the same as that of
Senator Suiliv an-Provid that electric light com.
panies shall not charge more than four cents per hour
for each TT: light and more than three-quarters Of a
cent per hour for each incandescent Light In New York
Senator Featherson-Establishing a bureau in tho
as the Delinquent Executors Bureau.
Senator tho New York charter
members Of the Charities Departments who are to be
women. and providing for two matrons Of police for
Also. incorporating Reuben B. Ayres. Thomas B.
Robertson. and John b. Halves as the New York Elec-
and light in New York city. with a capital Of $500, 900.
The Lauterbach Greater New York City Police
bills were not introduced in the Legislature to-
night. They will probably not be for a day or
Republicans have 'r'I'i upon them. Mi. Iau-
terbach was preysnirl rom coming to Albany
to-day, owing to il.A,S IL lis family.