New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-06

portance TO New-Yorl City. have succumbed to
nalign Influences
But, whatever bad measures the Senate has
passed, the Assembly has done its worK 80
thoroughly that few, If any-certainly none OF
the scandal making hills-have reached the
Governor and there are not, as there were last
year. measures like the Remsen East RIVER
gas grab" and the Niagara power STEAL await
ing the Executive veto.
The affirmative legislation may be oriefy
summed as follows: Two tax bills. one I'M
posing a tax OF 81 or each sale OF 100 shares
OF stock the other imposing mill annual
tax on mortgages, have passed the legislature
and the former has been signed by the Gov
ernor. The latter has been passed again III
q substitute form and awaits his action THESE
bills have been opposed strenuously by Dust
ness interests of New-York City and represent
the main action OF the legislature in taxation.
The legislature has refused to repeal the tax
Oh savings banks surplus. but it has passed
a bill standardiEing the investments for saw
ings banks funds and taking them out OF the
field of predatory special legislation.
TWO investigations, one the part of the
Assembly affecting Justice Hooker, another on
the part OF the Senate regarding the gas stua-
ton, have supplied the main features OF the
session. Both committees have escapeb the
charge of partisanship and both committees
have been commended for their results by the
independent public opinion and the legislature
The Hooker report was unanimous, striking
tribute 20 its fairness and integrity.
The passage Of Mayor McClellan's water bill
Is the most important single bill affecting Newr
York City OF the session. and it not merely rep
Eesents the opportunity for extension Of the
Nsw-York system. but the work Of Assembly
men Wainwright and Apgar and ex-senator
Guy. The last named. representing the CITY, has
made 1t a compromise measure which solves all
the difficulties, which responsible for the
passage Of the Smith bill OF last year. West
chester, Putnam. Duchess and Columbia coun-
ties have all Joined in the compromise, and
Ulster County alone las held out. Moreover,
The report Of the Stevens committee has resulted
in the passage OF bill, preserving the spirit or
the provision in the Mayors bill enabling the
city TO use the water taken for its water system
for power and lighting purposes, while limiting
IN q measure the somewhat sweeping character
of the original provision. Finally, State COM
mission has been authorized to arbitrate be-
tween the locality and the city on questions OF
water supply and decide the question with a
recognition OF the interests of both, thus re-
moving any possible friction, such as was eX-
pected in last years Smith bill.
Other important legislation may be mentioned.
Bills have been passed which promise a speedy
elimination Of the immoral fake" Raines lay
hotels. The hold-up power OF the Board OF Al
dermen in New-York affecting franchises, has
been removed. The term OF the Mayor has been
restored TO four years, urged by number
Of civic bodies. Mayor McClellan's veto Of the
bill affecting the aldermen was speedily over
come and this long standing nuisance removed.
These are the most important achievements
of the present session. which has exceeded by
three weeks the length OF the previous one. Its
faults have been, in the MAN, those OF onis-
sion but Of really vicious legislation no such i'm
posing mass as that Of last year has been
passed.