The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-05
The LEGISLATURE IN SESSION.
MAYOR MCLFLLINS WATER AND
LIGHTING BILLS PUT IN.
Gov HiEEins's Message Listened To With
Eager Interest. Especially That Part
I'm which lie Made II Plain That He
Would Not Dictate Legislation

A1BANY. Jan. s-The feature Of the OPEN
ing DAYS session OF the Legislature WAS
the evidence that Mayor George b. McClel-
Ian through Corporation Counsel Delmy.
il awake to the more important needs OF
the great city Of New York ae shown by the
Introduction "a soon an possible after the
Legislature convened to-day Of bills pro-
viding for municipal lighting plants, big
extension Of the city's water works system
and the increase in the limit Of special
revenue bonds which may be issued FOR
emergency improvements
These bills we're brought here last night
by Assistant Corporation Counsel Charles
l.. Guy. The bill amending the Charter 80
az TO leave no doubt of the right Of the city
TO construct and operate gas and electric
light municipal plants was introduced by
Senator Martin and Assemhlyman Tomp-
kins Senator Hawkins and Assemblyman
TompkinS put in the hill providing for
water board for New lok city, and Senator
Foley and As-rmbly1nan llornidge intro
duced the emergency bond increase bill.
This bill passed the Legislature last year.
but Gov. Odel refused 10 sign Il. as he be-
came angry over the mix-up in the Munich
pal Court bill and refused TO have ANYTHING
more 10 do with New y ork city legislation.
A fourth bill sent up by Mayor Mcclellan
and Corporation Counsel Delany author
lies the city to issue short term bonds 20
pay its share Of improvements. instead
of having TO wait for the amount to be set
forth in the budget for that purpose
The agitation for the new New York
county court house has again been revived,
and the New York bar Association pro-
IL. .nta.ntN all QAF
what it believes is Imperative legislation
This l. in he shape OF mn amendment to the
act prssed several years ago. which com
pes the building of the court house south Of
Franklin street. If tnie limitation can he
eliminated the new court house. u IL believed.
will be a matter Of but short time
Both house Of the Legislature organized
to-day by electng the officers nominated
al the Republican cauCuses last night.
Although Senator Thomas i. Grady was
absent on account Of illness he will again
lead the minority. which is. smaller than
ever The two chambers were filed with
flowers which were on the desks OF nlen-
bers GOV. Hikgins's first message TO ihe
Legislature was listened 10 with eager
attention.
What struck the majority 81 old-time
members was that after four years OF
Odellism the State had at last secured n
! Governor who had recognized that there
were three coordinate branches OF state
government r cctitive, Legislative and jul
dicidl- and TINT he proposed TO fill only. the
executive department, letting the LegS1a-
/ tIre do its own work
! Gov Higgins does not propose TO have
any bills drafted carrying out his recon-
mendations in his message, az was the habit
of hi. predecessor ON the contrary he
I proposes to permit the Legislature 20 attend
+ to all matters pertaining 10 Legislation
He will act on such matters when they
reach him for his approNaI through the
regular channels
Lieut. Coy Bruce in assuming the duties
OF presiding officer Of the Senate did not
make n speech but simply asked Tor the
! indulgence OF the Senators, making this
/ a plea on account Of his newness 10 his
speaker Nixon, who was reelected for
! the seventh consecutive term. made a
! long speech He impressed IL upon all the
! members that if they would get their bills
| in early the session need not last longer
4 than three months.
! He recomrnen cled matters for legislation.
/ referring particularly TO the school sys-
/ tenn forestry, an iuoreaSe'i 7'aiei supply
/ for Nav York city. and the agricultural
1 echoos He renewed his recommendation
I of a year ago for fair libel law in order
I 10 protect newspapers from biacknmilerS.
He said that under the present law ana
through adverse decisions newspaper pub
fishers often suffer severely and uniuStly.
In regard to home rule for New York city
he said
/ Il am heartily in favor Of all the home
r1lle that can b. given that city and every
I other city upon subjects In which the rest
of the State i not vitality interested.
The Legislature took recs'-7 until next
Wednesday night During the recess the
committee assignments will be made up.
senator Alfred X. Page Rep, y. "
: Introduced a bill repeating the Odell tax
established in 1901 upon the surplus Of SaN-
ing- hanks, which has raised an annual
revenue Of t75o,OOO. Gov. Higgins in his
} nessa ge 10 the Legislature favors such Il
I repeal,
| senator Amber CRep. Coiumbial intro
| duced 9 bill repeating The sl0l,Q1,WD barge
canal law He SAYS thous lnds Of names
! are being secured throughout the State
I 10 petitions calling for such rcpcal.
An interesting bill was introduced by
/ Senator Bracket. II provides That no
domestic OF foreign corporation shall con-
{ tribute directly or indirectly money tor use
! al Il primary or an election under penalty
/ Of n forfeiture of its charter 1t II made
/ The duty Of the Attorney General 10 proceed
against any corporation against winch
/ proof Of violation is filed with him
Senator Bracket also took iihg at hts
old time political enemy, senator john
7 Raine-. the Republican leader. by bll
. which repeats the law Of last year providing
for the publication and distribution gi a
( compilation of the highway avs. TINS
caused some scandal during the last cam
paign and the work liz being done by Charles
{ H. Belts Of Lyons. the Republican state
committeeman for Mr.. Raines district.
senator Fitzgerald introduced bill
abolishng imprisonment for dent in all
! civil causes except for contempt or suits Tor
wsges.