The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-14
PLAN TO RELIEVE The COURTS
AMENDMENT FOR TEN MORE
SUPREME COURT JUSTICES.
The Tunnel Hills Advanced In the senate
-"Anti-Flirtins'' Dlii and Long-Dis-
tance bicycle Racing BiI Passed In the
Assembly 1hree-PIatoon RilI Put In.

tance bicycle Racing Bill Passed In the
Assembly -1hree-Piatoon Rili Put In.
ALBANY. Feb. 13.-The members OF the
Legislature from New York, Brooklyn and
Buffalo nave formed u combination to solve
to their liking the problem Of how best TO
provide for the scarcity Of Supreme Court
Justices In their localities. This COM
bination controls n majority OF the votes
In each branch Of the Legislature.
To-day, In the Senate, Senator McCarren's
proposed amendment TO the Constitution,
providing for three additional Supreme
Court Justices in the Brooklyn department,
was considered In Committee OF the Whole.
During a discussion which followed, two
amendments were adopted. One offered
by Senator Bowling provides for the cleo
ton OF four additional Justices for New
York county and one offered by Senator
Davis makes provision for the election Of
three additional Justices In tho Buffalo
district. The bill was then ordered TO a
third reading and will. it is expected. pass
this Legislature. II will have to pass the
next Legislature before It can be sub
mitted to a vote OF the people. The dis
cussion seemed to make il clear that the
consensus Of opinion of the Senators, with
out regard TO party, was that this was the
best way TO meet the present situation,
which necessitated the assignment of up
State Justices to work in New York or
Brooklyn.
Senator Stranahan's bill, enabling the
New York city Rapid Transit tunnel con-
tractor to transfer to a corporation his
right to operate the road when completed,
was reported favorably in the senate to-day
and ordered to n third reading.
Another bill Of S enator ~Stranahan's s,
which permits the New York city autho-i-
ties to grant a perpetual franchise TO the
Pennsylvania Railro ad for tunnels and
terminals on Manhattan and Long Island
was reported favorably in the Senate and
referred to the Committee Of the Whole.
Senator Grady dissented from a favora bic
report. and it is understood that the Demo-
Gratis will fight the advancement Of the bill.
but without avail.
The minority members of the Assembly
have taken a position of opposition to
Assemblyman Kelsey's similar bill. When
Mr.. Kelsey's bill came up on the order Of
third reading to-day he wished to amend
IL by offering a substitute bill. the amend
ments being the same as made by Senator
1lTdIldtluu W III blil Nil46 Ntfhs u ll1-
Keown objected and offered another amend
ment to provide that the city could not
permit the railroad to close up any streets.
Mr.. Kelsey explained that the company
did not want TO close up any streets. Alter
a short discussion, in which Messrs. Nc
Keown. Palmer and Fitzgerald erdeavored
TO show much danger in the bill, the substi-
tute bill was received and sent back TO the
Cities Committee for a hearing next Tues
day.
Although the members Of the Assembly
nave been on the alert TO kill what is called
the -anti-firting' bill, to-day they passed a
measure which is claimed to be practically
an anti-firting measure. IL is Mr.. Dickey's
bill and provides that when a perton is
arrested for a minor offence, instead OF
being, permitted TO waive trial for the
Grand Jury a Justice of the Peace or a
Court of Special Sessions can impose final
judgment.
The bill wanted by the Powers Brady
Batchelder combination for long distance
bicycle racing, and introduced by Assem-
bly, to-day. II permits continuous racing
for the first twenty-four hours and AFTER
that eighteen hours In every day. II is
the intention of the alton Cycle Racing
Association during the summer n promote
several twenty-four-hour race meetings.
senator big Tim" Sullivan and Assem-
blyman Ulman to-day introduced a bill
restoring the three-platoon system in New
York city. The bill amends section 2e2
of the New York city Charter by adding
these words: But the Police Commissioner
at no time shall assign an officer or member
Of the police force TO more than eight hours
duty in each twenty-four hours Senator
Sullivan endeavored 10 have the bill ad-
vanced TO a third reading, but Senator
Slater objected and the bill was referred 10
the Cities Committee, where 1t will remain
for the rest Of this session.
Without discussion or amaDdmant the
Senate to-day advanced TO a third reading
Senator Cocks bill limiting the speed OF
automobiles to eight miles an hour in cities
and Incorporated villages and twenty
miles an hour elsewhere. When the bill
comes up on final passage, Senator Trainor
will try to have IL amended TO provide
that instead Of being a misdemeanor, a
shall be punished by a fine of
s25 for the first offence and for each suisse
ouent offence a fine Of $50, or not exceeding
six months imprisonment or both.
Senator Slater's bill, prohibiting the use
OF live pigeons at shooting tournaments, |
was discussed in committee OF the whole |
in tho Senate and was ordered 10 a third
reading without amendment. Senators
Slater and Bra ckett favored the bill, out
Senator White wanted to amend II so as to
allow sportsman's clubs n incorporated
societies 20 shoot live pigeons If licensed
TO do so by the State Forest, Fish and Game
Commission. His amendment 70 that
effect was defeated by n vote Of 20 to II.
Assemblyman Stevens (Rep., Franklin)
has introduced a bill which is designed TO
drive all Of the concert saloons OUT Of busi-
ness. as it prohibits the sale Of liquor in
any place other than saloons, hotels, res
and clubs. Mr.. Stevens adds the
following new section to the Raincs law:
II shall not be lawful for any corporation.
association. copartnership or person, whether
having paid such tax or not, to sell, offer or
for sale or give away any liquors al
any time In any place In which singing, dane
ing and music and exhibitions OF skill and
athletic performances nre allowed, commonly
known as a concert hall or as a dance hall.
In order TO put an end to the extermina-
ton OF fish in New York harbor, Assem-