New-York tribune., 1901-04-23
BRIDGE BILL PASSES.
HOT FIGHT IN THE SENATE, AND QUEER
DIVISION OF VOTES.

DIVISION OF VOTES.
Albany. April % (SpeciaD.-One OF the greatest
Of this Of the legislature the bill
of Senator Raines providing for the construction
OF approaches and extensions to the New-York
and New-Jersey bridge in the city of New-York,
passed the Senate to-day after bitter contest
among the New-York City Senators.
Senator Ranes said that the bill provided for the
expenditure of $50 10000 in the construction OF the
contemplated great bridge the Hudson River
between the State OF New-Jersey and the city of
New-YOrk and its approaches. and not one dollar
of taxation, and he therefore surprised over
the resistance made TO the measure by the mem
ters representing the Borough of Manhattan. The
Republicans and Democrats from the boroughs of
Manhattan and The Bronx resisted the passage of
the bill the ground that the city was not suf-
icently compensated for the franchise conferred
There ten Sena tors from the boroughs of
Manhattan and The Bronx who voted against the
bill On the other hand the Senators from the bor-
oughs OF Queens. Richmond and Kings both Re-
pubcans and Democrats. nine in number. voted for
the bill. Thus the Long Island Senators voted in
favor of the bill and those Manhattan Island
and north of the Harlem River voted against the
bill. There has rarely in recent years been such
a singular division non-partisan lines OF the
members OF the legislature from New York City
Senator Brown. OF Watertowr. asked why the
words foreign country inserted in the open
ing sentence OF the bin in relation to a corpora
ton incorporated for the purpose Of constructing
ana maintaining a permanent bridge for passen-
ger and other traffic the waters between city
In this State and another State foreign country
In reply Senator Raines said II cannot tell: per-
haps in Senator Browns benghted dis
trlct would like to build bridge to the Kings do
minion.'
Senator McCarren subsequently said. however:
The words foreign country We're undoubtedly put
In the bill that II would avoid the Mayor of
New-York and so directly to Governor Oden.'
Senator Donnelly in opposing the bill said 1T
seems strange to that New-York is not better
judge of what IT needs for itself than n gentle
man from Canandaigua. l hope Senators realize
what far reaching bin this is; that under it you
can put an elevated structure around the entire
water front of Manhattan Island"
senator Green spoke in favor of the act, saying:
from the state Of New-Jersey to the city of New
York viii be better than barge canal, since it will
bring the passengers and freight of the great Vest
ern states directly into the city OF New York.
am told also that behind this bill there are bust
ness men who mean business. shall vote for the
measure for have confidence that the executive
Of the State will make wise decision upon it
senator Martin assailesd the bin. saving: 'I was
this bin and Mr.. Butts. as the representative of
the city oil New, dork opposed IT, and wis wish to say
why 1T should he passed. This bill robs the people"
saying There is no attempt to conceal what hat this
= Is intended to accomplishythat It Is supple
sey Bridge Company. l have as much respect for
In any way deprive him of his just powers. Sen
ator Donnely is quite right in saying that this bill
authorizes belt elevated railway around the water
pendture of s50OoOO 600 s6OOOoCOO bridge of the
tween the West and New-York which will certain
y build up the city II sufficient compensation to
the future. vote aye"
Senator Raines then defended his BILL saying:
at ought to count for project like this
It does not provide ,.f for c penny Of taxation but
capitalists in the interest of the city of New-York
The city's interests are amply protected and ample
Go why S the Senator's are
thus opposing bill which viii certainly benefit the
The bill passed the Senate by the following vote:
Ives Ayss-Am6sr Hi 9 AgmxtronE , Audst. Bracket Cocks,
MaS Mwan KIM
n sdrnon A Prms RanS dx G%SPs Stew
Ro Rg0wn popns DqTms
Martin Plunkitt. Slater stranahan. Trainor. White,
championed the bill. He said in part: This meas
ure contemplated the construction of bridge
across the Hudson River and proper approaches
top permit fn trains @ to run to m the wharves M on the
York and give labor to thousands of citizens of
Mr.. Reilly. of New-York. said that the bill had
been made general in character. that it would
not to the Mayor and be vetoed.
| measure: The bill gives away a most valuable
franchise for almost i nothing It gives up the whole
as the New-York and New.jersey Bridge company %
| has spent money and done nothing to show that
| it with use this franchise, and not simply hold
| ii for sale
| Mr., Bedell. of Orange County. who said that the
| company had made attempts to build it's bridge
| across the Hudson River but had been held up by
| the Sinking Fund Commissioners of New-York
| City. consequently the bridge company had come
| to Albany for help.
| Mr. Snyder of Ulster County. said the bill would
| kill the Hudson River traffic.
| Mr. Duross of New-York characterized the bill
| as a red-handed grab. ''If this bill had been for
| the benefit of the people OF New York. he asked
| why does it come up here at the midnight hour
of the last day of the session to be rushed
| through"
| Mr. Ftzgerald attacked the bill with great vigor
He said in part This is bill give away
West-st to a band of robbers. The bill was drawn
with spirit of roguery TO prevent the Mayor from
considering the bill Who estimate the value
| of West-st? There few streets In the world
that are valuable. rich. as West-st, of New
York
| Turning to the Assembly the speaker said: You
men from upstate who sit in your seats and vote
| such Bill through guilty OF crime. The
Ramapo job is but trivial in comparison with such
| q high handed steal"
Mr.. Lewis said that the bill had been framed to
evade the constitution of the State. He said that
should vote the bill without considering
the fact that he evading the constitution. He
| said he challenged any to explain the provis-
| ions of the bill.
Mr.. Aids defended the bill by saying that in the
original charter there provision 10 secure the
rights OF property owners from condemnation pro-
ceedings.