Year: 1873

BEGINNING WORK IN A LEISURELY WAY.
YESTERDAYS BUSINESS NOT OVERWHELMING
GOSSIP ABOUT COMMITTEES--A SINGULAR


QUANDARY-THE CONSTITUTIONAL C0MMIS-
SION.


IRON A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT oP THE TRBCNE1


ALBANY, Jan. S.-Both Houses of the Legis-
lature held brief sessions this morning. but no business Of
importance transacted Two local bills, OF no gen
era interest were introduced in the Senate and half
dozen more in the Assembly. Among the latter was
by Mr Alberger of Buffalo to repeal the usury laws
in accordance with the suggestion of the Governors
message. communication was received from Mr..
Coggswe Of Queens County contestng the seat OF Mr.
Oakley This will be the only contested seat IN the
present Assembly. The report of the Capitol Com-
mlssIoners received in the Senate, from
which tit appears that they have expended
on the capitol during tho past year
$751; i32-eaving little sO00 Of last years appro-
praon unexpended They ask for an appropriation OF
81 10000 for the coming year, which they will probably
get without much opposition there is very general
conviction among members that the sooner the new
Capitol is completed the better for the State. even on
grounds OF economy. Comparatively few are pleased
with the design Of the building and is believed
that expensive and at the same time more comely
convenient and ornamental structure might have been
designed but the state has already spent something
like $1,000 the present building and grounds 1t is
useless to talk OF changing it, and public necessities re-
auire that 1t should be finished speedily possible.


Mr.. Babcock offered resolution in the Assembly to
authorize the Speaker TO appoint subcommittee OF the
Whole the first month in the session. but 1t Is generally
condemned and will not probably be called from the
table 1t would doubtless please few Of the wouldbe
leaders TO cut OF debate in Committee Of the Whole from
all legislation; but majority of the party Is not pre-
pared quite yet that length in carrying out their


SENATE AND ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES.


II decided that there is to be reorganization OF the
t1aa axUn bo ed
mainly to oustng the three Liberal Republican Senator'S
from their chairmanships. Mr. Palmer, is well known
is Chairman OF Cities Mr. Allen Of Privileges and Eec
tions, and Mr.. Narrower Of Military Affairs. The last
two Committees OF little Importance, but the Chair
manshp OF Cities is always responsible position, and Is
expected be especially so this season, owing to the
contemplated legislation for New-York and Brooklyn.
Since IL Twas decided that Palmer must ont Of this
position for the crime OF preerrng Mr. Greeley to Gen.
Grant for the Presidency although, owing to his absence
from home lie did not vote at all, and was oil through
the campaign supporter Of the Grant State and local
tickets, his orthodox colleagues have been looking
about in their ranks for TO succeed him. This
has proved to DO more difficult than they expected.
They all know from their experience last Winter how
the Chairman of the Committee Cities s sure to be
denounced and vilifed by portion OF the New-fork
press. let his actions be what they may; and none OF
them anxious become the mark for interested ana
INSCRIPTIONS ubelers. Senator Perry, who has been
offered the position, says he mas enough brooklyn
legislation on his hands without becoming responsible
for New-York Senator woodn, to whom the place
would be cheerfully awarded If he would accept 1t, is
equally 10th TO undertake the task Of satisfying the
New-York politicians and newspapers, and peremp-
orly declines to occupy the position OF chief actor In
the legislative mudde that is anticipated. Senator
Buffalo has solicited to put himself in the
breach, but he prefers to remain where he Is as Chair
of the Canal Committee. Senator Benedict has
been suggested but IL ia objected to him that he is
scarcely efficient enough. They say 1t would kill him
before the Winter is out, and they wish to
get through this session without funeral'h
possible. Others are talked Of but no one has
yet been found who deemed t for the place. and at
the time would consent TO take It, 1t would be
turn OF afarsr they should be compelled after
all to keep Palmer In his position for lack Of any Of
their number who would consent to be his successor
1t is not likely. however that Mr. Palmer would consent
after action that already been aken) 10 retain