New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-02
PROSPECTS OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION AT ALBANY
y4NY CANAL MEASURES-OTHER IMPORTANT NAT
TERS-SHORT SESSION NOT PROB4BLE

,horv Ian ! CSpeciaD.-The Importance OF
-. ennroaching session Of the legislature has
- matter Of some difference OF opinion.
- she mast the history of sessions during a
OCCIDENTAL year has been that Of short ses-
.ttb little actual legislation. Such pro-
-a,,,,a had been expected this year. until Gov
80 osel made the emphatic declaration that
- .xnected a long and history making SEES
80, In the matter of legislation 10 is apparent
- +ra outset that the present session viii be
..i,e+Ad by canal measures. The overwhelm-
g. ms forjty given tor the canal project at the
&C.. election imposes upon this years legislature
,ba task Of providing the machinery beginning
che work Various kinds Of excise bills, dnclud-
,nr that prepared by District Attorney Jerome
NTH the support Of the Citizens Union, and
,ossibly one drawn along the lines suggested by
General F. V. Greene recently, are to be ex-
,Acted The usual variety OF labor bills, posi-
ble and impossible. will appear, and it is ex-
,scted that the Merchants Association will pre-
sent some measure looking to the abolition OF
che Aoueduct Commission we'll as TO the In
crease Of the number Of members of the Rail
-osd Commission. There is reason to believe
that bills on the subject OF taxation will be of
less importance than in the last session. al
though there are those who look for the reap
pearance Of the mortgage tax measure in some
form or other.
But that the present session will be known
a canal legislature because OF the extent and
Importance OF its canal legislation. seems en-
tirely probable. OF the magnitude and impor-
tance Of this branch of legislation some Idea may
be gained when il is realized that IN one single
phase measures are contemplated providing for
tbs saving OF $40 coo 900. In explaining his rea-
sons for attaching SO much importance to the
present session. Governor OdeN declared that
measures contemplating this saving would be
introduced, and it is expected on all sides THAI
this saving will be made through the canal
bonds. over SlOOO0ooO0 Of which are be
issued TO cover the expense Of The cana. TWO
different methods aimed to accomplish this saw
ing have been forecasted the one providing for
the issue of short term bonds for twenty years
instead Of long term bonds for fifty years. and
II has been figured that il by indirect taxation
the canal could be paid for in that time,
S40Oo0oo0 in interest would be saved over the
fifty year plan. Still another method which may
appear is that of securing for the State the
taking up of $50oG0oO0 Of the bonds without
interest by the counties. This latter plan is
generally regarded as unlikely, because OF the
heavy burden it lays the counties and the
possibility that 1t might prove unconstitutional
PROPERTY FOR NEW CANAL ROUTE.
Another important piece Of canal legislation
that is expected is bin authorizing the ap-
pointnent by the Governor. Of a board OF
appraisers to view the property which VIII be
taken by the new route of the canal. and In
some measure at least, TO avoid long and
extensive condemnation proceeding following
the taking of the land by the State. a bill Is
also expected providing for a long term for the
members of the advisory board. whom the Gov
ernor will appoint, as directed by the canal law.
IN q
termining the various engineering questions at
tending the construction Of the canal. The Gov
ernor will not appoint the members OF this board
until the session convenes.
Stiu another important phase of lle nal
legislation is that governing the cona.tig of
labor. The present legislators viii in a. prob
ebility be asked 10 enact laws providing that
worknlen on the canal shall be paid the prevail
ing rate Of wages. that the eight hour law shall
he enforced and that only citizens shall be
employed In addition to these general meas
ures ;here will probably be endless local
bills affecting the disposition Of the pres
ent canal bed in various cities and towns
along its route. For example. the people Of
syria cuse favor measure that win permit
the present canal bottom to be used a rail
way line the tracks which now cross the city
the street level being depressed TO the level
OF the canal bed. thus avoiding many grade
crossings. But while it appears that much i'm
por1ant legislation growing out Of the new canal
viii arise. there is also a decided Impression that
there viii be a marked diminution in the num-
Der OF measures passed. II not OF those intro
duced, providing for new bridges and improve
nents Of various sorts on the present canal
lines
In the legislation affecting New-York City the
most important single measure viii doubtless be
the excise legislation District Attorney Jerome
win endeavor TO secure. Mr.. Jerome's measure.
which was defeated last session. Is To be rein
PRODUCED. with The added supper: Of the Citizens
Union and II the Citizens Committee, and the
union, the committee and various other organ