New-York tribune., 1902-04-21

MS influence to induce the Legislature TO repeaI
the Burr act which prevents the Borough Of
Brooklyn from obtaining water for its reservoirs
in Suffolk County. Mr. DOugherty was success
full, however. in another direction. persuading
Governor Odell last week to sign Senator Mar
shall's bill authorizing the city to acquire the
property of the New-York and WeStchester
Water Company. BY the acquisition of this
property the city will be enabled to increase
the water supply of the towns of the Annexed
District
FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS.
For Commissioner Sturgis Assemblyman Col
by secured the passa ge of a bill giving the Fire
Department control of all fires on any vessel in
the harbor any dock. The object of this
law is to give the Fire Department legal
thority all tugs or ships that approach
the scene of a fire. The Commissioner in his ef
forts to prevent dangerous crushes in theatres
seems TO have attracted the attention of Senator
Grady. for that Senator induced the Legislature
pass an act providing that the lobbies in the
rear of the inside aisles and passageways of
theatres may be used for standing room in such
manner not to obstruct the inside aisles."
Mayor Low refused TO accept this act, doubtless
under advice from Commissioner Sturgis, and
Governor Odell did not sign it An act was
passed, introduced by Senator Cocks. providing
for the inclusion Of volunteer fremen in the
ranks Of the Fire Department on their passing
a non-competitive examination for fitness
THE LAWS DELAYS.
While the legislature in session its atten-
tion was called by the Chamber of Commerce to
the delay in the consideration OF by the
Supreme Court in the counties of Kings and
New-York. owing to the accumulation of cases
and the suggestion made that a commits
sioner be appointed Ito inquire into the delays
and expenses in the administration Of justice in
the counties of NewYork and Kings and to
suggest legislati thereon" This suggestion
was adopted and a bill framed by Assembly
man Rogers is among the laws of the year.
1t authorizes the Governor to appoint commits
sion Of seven persons Ito examine into the con-
dition of the business and the transaction there
Of of the courts in the counties Of New-York
and Kings, and into the cause for any delay
that may exist in, the trial and disposition of
cases and proceedings IN the courts exercising
jurisdiction within such limits. and the, eX-
penses incident thereto. and to suggest such
measures of legislation may in their judg
rnent tend to expedite the trial and disposition
Of such legal business as may come before the
courts" This commission IS to make a report
upon the result of its investigation to the Gov
ernor before December 81. The legis
lature also passed and the Governor signed
viding for the assignment of Supreme Court
judges for service in the New-York and Kings
County courts, but also declaring that no as
sgnment shall be made hereafter from any
judicial district that will leave at all times
at least two trial justices in such district.
BUREAU OF TREE CULTURE.
Under an act presented by Assemblyman sey-
mour and signed by Governor Odell the Park
Board will have care Of the trees in the city Of
New-York and of their cultivation. A bureau
is to be established for tree culture.
The legislature accepted the gift Of the books
of the Brooklyn Library. and passed act in
cooperating the Brooklyn Public Library, which
will be managed by a corporation to be known
as the Brooklyn Public Library" with direc
tors from the present Brooklyn Public Library
and from the trustees of the Brooklyn Library.
The Board of Estimate and Apportionment is
authorized to contract with this corporation for
the maintenance Of a free public library system
in the Borough of BROOKLYN In a bill presented
t,,C for lcfa he her nf n
the New-York Public Library. of the Astor.
Lenox and Tilden Foundations. is increased from
twenty-one to twenty-five: and the Mayor, the
Controller and the President of the Board of
Aldermen made members Of the board Of
trustees.
CODIFICATIoNS AND LAWS.
One of the most volumj-ous acts passed is a
codifcation Of the laws relating to the Municipal
Court of the City of NewYork. its officers and
marshals. This introduced by Assembly
man Wilson.
Controller Grout was the author of one far
reaching act, changing the time for collecting
the taxes of the city. introduced by Assembly
man Kelsey, but owing to the discovery Of
serious error in 1t, Governor Odell did not sign
the bill although only for this error 1t would
have received the approval of the city author
tiles. Controller Grout estimated that the act
would save the city $4,000 yearly.
The Governor signed act introduced by
Senator Fuller providing for the appointment
of a commissioner of jurors in Kings County
by the county Judges ana the surrogate Vi 'hdI
county
The Governor also signed act, approved of
nv Mavor Low providing for the appointment
of an additional Justice of the Court OF Special
Sessions and the organization or a chilorehs
court
a law was passed framed by Senator Elsberg.
creating a retirement fund for the president,
vice pre- sident professors. assistant professors
and instructors OF the College of the City or
New York. ~
senator Fuller introduced a bill, which was
nassed authorizing the issue of corporate stock
s The citv TO the extent of So 600 900 yearly for
repairing streets
SOME OF THE MINOR ACTS.
Among the minor acts signed by Governor
Oael In regard to New-York follows:
Rv Senator Hennessy-Authorizing the con-
str,Iction of building for hospital purposes IN
the Borough Of The Bronx -
Rv Senator Elsberg-Providtng a retirement
<,nd for the teachers in schools or classes main
,atned II, institutions controlled by the Depart
nent Of Public ChaTlties OF 'he Depai 'iieiil Va
Correction a., >,
Bv Senator Hennessy-Authorizing the New.
York Geological Society 10 control geological
parks .,-,, 49,. 1,o,r5
of IaYes and Assessments TO remit or reduce
tax II found excessive or erroneous
d. asseublyman Seymour-Authorizing a
further appropriation for the maintenance VI
the American Museum Oh ->a'uiai iiis'otS i
70. Assembyman Newcomb-Providng for the
onnointment of a woman probation officer In the
Court of Special Sessions
d.. Senator Stranahan-AuthoriZlng a fur-
.har anpropration to the New ork AooioelcaI
Societv for the support OF the WORK
Aquarium .,,,or,zinp +be nur
,h.se of additional grounds Tor the use OF the
S.nI,eee of the City of New-York
gw a Assemblyman MISUNDERSTANDING the