The New York Herald Newspaper, December 31, 1860, Page 2

2 NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENT. Whe Men wh. Hold the Executive, Judicial and Legislative Offices im the Eunpire State. The Work to be Brought Be- fore the Legislature. ur Municipal Affairs to be Turned Up- side Down—Amendments to the City Charter—Abolishment of the Office of City Judge— Remodelling the Street Commiasioner’s,. City Inspec- tor’s, Finance and the Fire Departments. {ANTICIPATED GRIDIRON EXCITEMENT. BROOKLYN FERRIES AND PARKS. Probable Action of @ur Lawmakers on Personal Liberty, Capital funkbh- ment, Miltary and Other Questions ef interest. ¢ OUR ANNUAL MHNISS AG EK, &e., &., &o, ‘The Legislature of the State of Now York assombles at Albany to-morrow, the Ist lay of January, 1861; aust sinos Jte political complexion is the same as that of the party to bo inaugurated at Washington on the 4th of March next, B good deal of interest is Dew manifested by the public 4n regard to their nction upon all national questions, and | wepecially in reference to the negro question and the risis which wo are now plunged into by the same party. aAimost every branch of our State government is now in | Bbe banda of the republicans, as will be geen by the Follow ing list of mon in official position. BTATE OFFICERS. Ewin D. Morgan. Kobert Campbell David R, Floyd J Robert Dennistan Philip Charles G. Myers Van Kenasolaer Ri Republican. K i Republican Republican. Republican |. Demoorat Republican. Democrat. Republican. -Ropublican. Republican. + Ropublican. Honry H. Van Dyck......Republican, James M. Cook A. B. Parmaioo Heury H_Holt. William Woeason THE LEGISLATURE. SENATE. Baperintendent Pvb lic Instreotion. Soperint. niopt epartmont.... Canal Appraisers Republican, Republican. Repabiican. Republican, Dist. COMPOSED OF THUTTY-TWO MEMRERS. Kgiward A. Lawrence + Democrat. ’ nan A. Gi + Democrat. 3—Francis B. Spinoia. . Democrat. « Domocrat, - Democrat ablicwn, 4—J. Meleod Murphy 6—Bernard Kelly ... ; 6—Henjamin F. Manierr* 7—Kichard B. Connolly &—Herekiah D. Robertson. {&—Robert Y. Grant. . 10—Jeahua Fiero, Jr... +. Republican, 11—John H. K@ cham. .+ Republican. 12—Voiney Richt ~ Repgbliean ‘13—Andrew J. Colvit Democrat. 14—Jonoph H. arse; 15—Iaaiah Blood ... . 16—Nathan Lapham : 17—Charles C. Montgomery . . Beli Republican. Deuoerat. [2 Repabtiewa. 21—Andrew 8, Warver. 22—Allen Munrve ‘23—Perrin H. Mocra man Traman. 23—Alon BW 28—Fpliraim Goss... 29—Peter P. Murphy 20—David Hi. Aboll.... Bl—Prastus 8. Prosser... .. ‘32—Walter L. Sessions \ Piican, Dlican.= Republican + Republieas Republican. Re Republicans Democrats ASSEMBLY. COMPOSED OF ONE MUNDRAD AND TWENTY RIGHT aneM unis, ALBANY NEW TORK 1—Jay Gibbons... Dem, 13—Char E Birdsall. . Rep. 2-1. Benedict, Jr Rep. 14—Robt_ ©. Hatching. Dem. 3—Henry Lansing...Dem. 15—eu, W. Varian... Dem. 4—W. J. Wheeler... Dem. lewry Areularios Dem ALEEGTANY 17—Jay Jarvis Jones. . Dom 1—Wilkes Angel..... Rep. ™ 2—Lucius 8. May.... Rep. 1—Heury Rep. ROOM: 2-01 ver P. Scovel. . Rep. Friend H. Burt... Rep. ‘ONEIDA CATTARAUGUS 1—Francis Kernan. . Dem 1—Nelson I. Norton Rep. 21. Rep. | 2+F. Philbrick...... Rep. ‘on Dot. caYuoa. 1—Hemaa Benton... . Rep. 2—Smith Anthony.. Rep. 1—Jerem’h Emerick Rep. | 2—Austin Myers... Rep. Rep. 3—Abuer Chapman... Rep. Rep. ONTARD®. CiauNe. 1—Perez Hi. Fieid. Rep. | Larcius Robinson .. Rep. H. An "i GRNANGO, 1—Thos, Gartor..... Rep. 2—Samuel& Lewis. Rep. Heory MoFadden. Rep ‘CouumntA. OsWHo?, 1—Samuel Lasher....Rep. 1—Dew. C. Littlejohn. Rep. 2—Nor‘on 8. Collin... Rep. 2—Rich. K. Sanford. Rep. ‘3—Mason Naliabury, Rep. core. CORTLAND. ‘Loammi Kinney... Rep. DELAWARE. 1—Flijah F. Ferrey. . Ri 1-5. E Smith... Rep. = 2—Frod’k A. Rotles..Rap. 2—Daniel Waterbury Rep. POTS AM DUT Chas. T. Brewster. Rep. 1—Joha BR. Drotchor Rep. QUEENS. 2Hem'l J. Farnum,..Rep. — 1--Stephen Taber... Dem. 24Ino. D. Townsend. Dem rut. 1-8, V. R. Wateon .. Rop. TUSRAELARR, 1—Charies J. Saxe... Dem. 2—Vietor M. Rice... Rep S—Benj. H Long Dem. 2-1. Chandler Rail. . Rep. 4—Zobulon Ferris... . SAnson Bingham. . Kep. penx RICHMOND, Martin Finch... Rep. N. D. Ellingwood, Dem. YRANKUS. ROPRLAND. William Andru... Rep. FVETON axD MaMILTOY, Wm. R. Knapp... Dem wr. LaWnewen James H. Burr... Rep. 1—Chas. Richardson Rep. orvman, 2—Blwin A. Merritt Rap Geo. W. Wright... Rep 2 & Chittenden, . Rap RT. SAnetoGa. 1—John Fatton Dem, 2—Jaines Samner, Jr Rep. SreverTaDy Alonan Macomber. Rep emort ate Jesup Backboe.. Dem. Sonor. Abram V. Mokeol.Rep. | REWPEA. Wittiam Jobyson..Dem AT RUMEN. | 1—Danici B. Mryan..Rep. | Darey.....Dem — 2—Jeffrey Saith,...Rep. | pa meg Ope a 3—Redman & Pavis..Rep. | 6—Joweph Nesbitt... Dem. et rRO 1—George H. Fisher.Rep. 1—James Hi Tuthill. .Rep uve 2 as J. Bergen. . Dem. Fdwund Baklwia. Rep. BE LUAS. | LSTINGHPON. Sas duer..Dem. | 1—Matthow Wiard... Rep. Pur } 2—doorge Hyland... Rep. CoruF. Barber....Rep. | ‘MADIBON, PME, | 1—Orrin Ga Tt 4 J.W. Devight....Rp. | 2—Francia A Hyatt. Vinree. MONROR 1--wobert Loughran. Rop. 2—George F. Pierce... Rep S—Ben). Turner, Jr. Rap. WARRRy Walter A. Faroe. Rope Ww emuNETON. 1—Petor HM. . Rep 2-N. M. Catlin... Rap. WAYNE. 1-J. 8 Lamoreaun. Rep. 2. W. Corning ....Iop. Weer wnArRR. 1—W. J. Moterm tt Dem, 2-N. Holns Odell. . Dom. Wromixe. Johan J. Doolittle. .Rep. YATES. Gilbert Shorer.... Rep. j ‘The Legislative cancuses will be held on Montay | ‘@vening—of the ropublicans in the Assembly, and of thy | clemocrata in the Senate Chamber Bre administered to the mambers of the \sonbiy by j Whe Seoretary of State, ‘The Clerk of the inst House will | all the members to orter, and act until a Spoaker @hoten. An the Seuators hold over from last your, it will have oo preliminary business to do. The Governor aril got send in his Message till Wodnes.ay, as Taos lay Republican. | Repubiican. | . | Nathaniel 8. Benton... . 6.6.6.6 cee . | Legisiature aud at various other periods of the year. ‘The two house will } smoot on Tuseday, at eleven o'clock, when the oath will | as would oonduce to their happiness and propo ity - NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1860, » Your's Day. it will make about seven columns ! the Brenan, MILITARY DEPARTMENT, ony andor-n-Chi -bawin bs. Morgan, abt General..... sbistant Adjutant Gent Mepeetor General... . Comun ssery General, Eng yueor-i-Chief.. Judge Advocate General, Surgeon General ‘Qua: termaster Gene: al. Pay master General Atas de Camp, J. Meredith Reed, Jr. ol. Duncan Campbell, Wa. A. Ackorsun, “Brig. Gen, Benj, H. Welsh, Jr. Chester A. Arthur, ‘Henry Anthon, Oakic ny Vasierpeel. -Cuyler Van Vechten. -thomas B. Van Buren. win J), Morgan, Je. memuel D. Bradford, Riot T. Shepard. john H. Linsey. THE UNIVERSITY, NAS OF REGENTS, WITH THE DATES OF THXIR APPOINTMENT. Governor Morgan, ex-oficio. Liew tenant Governor Campbell, ex-officio. Seoretury of State Jones, ex-othicio, wintendent of Public Lustruction Vaa Dyok, ex- uy 26—Guliun C, Verplunok. ....New York. hb” 8l—derrit Y, Lansing. Albany. Military Secretary...... 2—hrastus ss 4—Prosper M. Wetmore Ista, April = 11—John L, Graham. 1Mz, Feb. 1—Gideen Ha Isaz, March =26—David Hue! Todd, May 4—Jamee 5. Wadsworth. isi4’ May = 4—Jobu V. L. Prayn..... 1046, Feb. —Kobert Cam, 16, Nay Grane Lye Rochsster. IsaT, 22—Kobert G. Ravks 1851, March = 18—John N. Ca 1865, March @1—Frastus ©. ‘6—Goorge W. Chit Vark: | 1s6s, Fen. 1nd8, April 1869, April ! Chancelior Vice Chancellor. . Secretary. state Librarian THE JUDICIARY. UNITED STATES JUDICIAL JUDGES. Am Northern Listy ict—Nathan K. Hall. | Southern Distrist—Samuel Nelson. OURT OF APPEALS. George F.C | Samuel Ls Ean: {i : dobu a. Low i B. | Cha : | Benjamin F. Greene... os. Z spoblicans 4 Democrats, 3; American, 1, ‘The Laat four on the list are selected from the Supreme Courts, aut their term expires December 31, 1861. SUPREME COURT JUDGES. ies 5 | The st | New York City € four each. On 1861, 1863, 1865, dc. | DitFrict l—Thomas W. Clerke . Democrat. George G. Barnard, -Democrat. Josiah Satherland, -Democrat. Daniel P. Digeadaaa, . Democrat. Willow H. Leowar . Democrat. District Zohn A. Lot Democrat. hanes Fret spablican, john W. Brows «+ Democrat, William W. Serogham, - Democrat. District SW iii B. Weigh - Republican, George Gould, ical lienry Hogeboom. . Republican. Ruius W. Peckham. Tietrict 4—Amazish B, James. Roch H. Rosekrans Plait Potter... Avguatus Koches Disturdet 6B—Willun J, Be Willian onerat. + Republican, Kansem Balcom.... Wallam W. Campb John W. P District 7—Henry Welles FE. Varwin sini ‘Thomas A. Jobusou Adalson 8. Kune. District SHenj. F Greene. - Republican, Richard P. Marvin American. Nowh Davie, Jr . Repeblican Martin Grover ‘Republican. THE CANALS, THY CANAL BOARD AND ITS DUTIES. ‘This Board coneists of the Lieutonant Governor, Secre- tary of Stato, Comptroller, ‘Treasurer, Attorney Generals | State Kingineer and Surveyor, together with the three Conal Comminsioners, as follows: Robert Campbell. Tuvie R. Floyd Jones. ++ Republicam Democrat. | Robert Henniston.... Republican | Yhulip Dorshermor. + Republican | Charles G. Myers... Republican Democrat. Republican Democrat. Republican | Von Rensselaer Richmond | Hiram Gardner, : ) William 1. Skinuer AUDITOR CANAL DEPARTMENT. Repub! ican CONTRACTING BOARD. ‘The State Engineer, Auditor of the Canal Departmen: apd the three Canal Commissioners comprise this Board | as follows: — Von Rensselaer Richmond. + Demoorat. Nathaniel 8. Benton Republican Hiram Gardner... « Republican. William 1. Skinner. + Democrat. Vacancy. ? Ropubiican. ‘THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE CANAL FUND | consist of the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State Comptrolier, Treasurer and Attorney General: ~ Robert Campbell... ve « Repablican. David R. Floyd Jones. + Democrat Robert Denniston, + Repubiican. | Vhilip Doreheimer......: + Repubiican. | Charles G. Myers....... Repabhean. And have full controi of the Canal fund and canal debt. ‘The Canal Board is in seesion during the sitting of the It establishes the rates of tolls, appoiuts the canal officers, regulates the canals, remits ponaities, hears and deter. mines appeals from the awards of canal appraisers, &. ‘The Canal Commissioners bave the general charge of the public works of the State, the construction of new canals aud the snperiutendence of the repairs of the com- pleted canals. Their duties are mainly divided im see- Hons. Commissioner Skinner bas Of the eastern: dwinton of the Erle canal from to the Oneida \iake canal, the Champlain canal, Black River canal, to. gether with the feeders, &¢ The commissioner to be appointed by the Legislature to fll the vacancy caused by the ceath of Samuel H. Barnes will have chargo of the middie division,” comprising the Erie caval from Oneida Lake to the east end of Wayne county, the Os wexo canal, the Cayngs canal, the Senoca canal, tho Crooked Lake canal aud the Chenango canal, whilst Com- misatoner Gardner is in charge of the western division, comprising the Fyie canal, from the east line of Wayne county to Buffalo, and the Genesee Valley canal. THE LEGISLATURE, In earlier times, when men of honesty, integrity, pa- triotiem and unselfishness compeeei our State legislative: bady—when the poopte teok a dovp interest in selecting honorable representatives—whew the third hoase had not the power to inveigle Sepators and Assemblymen iato their schemes of plunder, and those who wore legislative robes had about their general Dearing the dignity and gravity which become nen occupying the pasition of law: | makers for a prosperous and enterprising State—then the people condded in their publio agents, and in return those representeti ver transacted tho business of the State with honor to themselves and justice to the pubiic. Ip those days, when sach mea as De Witt Clinton, John Taylor, Biward Livmgston, James Burt, John Mclean, Morgan lewis, Nathan Sanford, Peter R. Livingston, Samuel Young, Gideon Granger, Silat Wright, Jobn © Spencer, and others of the same samp, were to be seen counselling tegetber in the Sonat: chamber, bearing upon their countenaners the consciousness of @ great and re spousible duty; and suwh men as Samuel L. Mitohiil, Hisba Williams, William A. Duer, David B. Ogten, Wil Viam ©. Bowek, Thomas J. Parkley, Cadwallader ©. Colden, Joba A. King, Greene C. Bronsoa, James Tailinadge aud others of equal merit cecupied seats in the House of As sembly, our Legislature was conducted with a spirit of State pride and patriotism that commanded the respect and confidence of an ontightened commumty. In those days our people wore trcly represented, the public trea- eury vigilawtly guarcod, tte dignity and bonor of the State serapuloasly protected, preserved sad defended. ‘Thon to be clothed with logwlative honors and power was © distinction highly priget. At tBat period rapre: sentatives of the people possessed the highest integrity, and in them repose the most tm. plicit confidence of their several constimencies. The agnual gathering of the Logwlature was hatied by the people as one of the blersings they porsessed under a free yovernment, and they believed in thelr power to remove all evtle with which they might be afflicted, and, at the same time, to confer such vonefits, through (he instru meataiity of wire and judicious legisiative enactmenta, No ome then dicamed that the position of lawmakers conid by any stretch of power bo mate a plepping stono to corruption, of or Legisiature a machine for legal plunder ‘The paople of the State of Now York did not then Cally rea’ ine (he oni or is whieh they enjoyed under wholesome te is divided into elght Judicial districts, The istrict has five Judges, and the balance nstice is elected in each district very and wise enactments of bonest men in the Senate and House of Assembly. How stands the matter now? Is there any respect atteched te a Senator or member of Assembly aa such. A general demoraligation scems to have taken place in the character and standing of the men who now assemble at the State Capitol in the capacity of legislators, Tbe modern imnovation in our political management seems to have brought to the sur- face @ class of men who a few years ago would not have been tolerated as constabies. The aspirants for those Beats 60 ably fliled by the men referred to are mostly confined to the idle, vagrant political paupers who are looking after notoriety, not excepting the spoils of office. It is the speculators who stand ready to ‘hang their coats Lebind the door,” where the lobby operators can have easy access to place the Dilis and the price of willing oor- ruption, that are now to be found among the aspirants for those robes so long and ably worn im the days of which we speak; and when the pross call aloud for re- form, the cry comes up that kindred aspirants control the machinery and election Of all parties; therefore there is no use of trying to avert the evil which is now upen us, anc our citizens look upon the assembling of our law- makers at Albany as one of the evils which they are forced, under the constitution, to submit to, Probably one of the meagures that bas contributed largely to bring about this change is the present constitutional provision allowing to members of the Legislature simply the moa- gre eum of three hundred dollars per seasion, which tends | to prevent men of business and capacity from seeking the position, leaving the feld open toa lower order of men, who, upon being elected, find that their expenses have been more than their salary, and unite im @ piratica crusade with the lobby to make up their losses, mect their expenses whilst attending to their duties, as well a8 to provide for something against a rainy day. OLD MEMBERS RETURNED. About twenty-two persona who were embers of the last notorious House of Assembly are returned by thoir constituenta, leaving over ope hundred who took part ia the proceedings of that body iu deserved retirement, until their deeds shall have become somewhat defaced by time or forgotten by the people, when must of those will again turn up, im some new pilfering expedition. Among those mest conspieuous in the gridiron contest in the last Legislature, who willbe im the next, are Little- john, of Oswego; Captain Myors, of Syracuse; Darcy, of Brooklyn; Finch, of Rasex; Walsh, Woodruff and Arcala- rius, of New York, and Fulton, of Saratoga; while of those who resisted the appeais of the third house, we have Robinson, of Chemung; Smith; of Chatauqua, Richardson, Merritt and Chittenden, of St. Lawrence; Lwight, of Tompkins; Odell, of Westchester; Taber, of Gueens; Webster, of New York; Emerick, of Onondaga; Mckadden, of Clinton, and Fisher, of Brooktyn. This makes up the List of old members whoss experience of last Winter will be brought into use at the coming sessiOm, Among the newly electod are several who have heroto- fore worn legislative robes with more.o? less sygcess. Geo, T. Fierce, of Ulster, am origiual Buflulo barnburger demo crat, who has served aaa member of both hougea when he jioivssed to be @ disgiple Of the democracy. He Yw'an in- corrigible, refractory personage, and belongs politically to the same class as Rubort Campbell, the Lieutenant Governor, and Comptrolior Denniston, “His ultraism in all things upon which hissmind dwells is of the most determined character. He bas shown himself, during his former legislative career, to have been proverbially honest and independent, and his old party friends uni- formiy found him opposed to al! their schemes for rob- bing the public funds. He will the:efore be found, if he rete ins bis character for integrity, the foremost amongst the republicans in tho Assembly chamber in thwarting qll +chemes of profligacy or corruption that may be de- wanded by the numerous squads of specuiators who infest the annual seseions of our Legislature. He was a mem- ber of the House in 1846, and of the Senate ta 1852 and 1853. ‘hen we have H. A. Prendergrast, of Chatauqua county, who was a@ member of the Assembiy in 1866 and 1857. He belongs to the Seward Weed wing of the party, and is an indefatigable worker. He wasa candidate for Speaker vgninst Lituejohn in 186%,-and according to the vaages of the party was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, Ho is a candidate for Speuker for this term, and will ne doubt be one of the leading men in the House. His colleague, Hiram Smith, ‘radical republican, formerly of the baruburner school, was one of the quiet yet useful members of last session, always opposing the schemes of the lobby. Lucius 8. May, one of the members from Allegany county, represented the same district in 1654 and 1855, end was a ugerul, upright and intiuontial legisiator, Has siways been an opponent to the democracy, and was formerly a Henry Clay whig, giving his powor and in- fluence to the doctrine advocated by that statesman be- fore the anti-slavery furor swept over Western New York, and has not even in latter days been found in the camp of Seward, Weed & Co., but retains an indepen dent, conservative position, and will be an active mem- Der of this Legisiature; is a gentioman of fue personal appearance, fluent speaker, aud bas an order of talent far above the general run of members at the present time, and may be considered a sample of what our le- gistators should be rather than what they are. Reared in the active school of mercantile life im a rural bat preeperous locality, he is a chee observer of men, and full) comprebencs the motives of those around bin Samuel J. Farman, of Dutchess county, heid a seat in the Astembiy in 1869, and is known politically as a Weed repabliean. LaciugC. Andrews and Marquis D. Moore, of Kings county, were also members in 1859. The antecedents of both are whig—the former an anti Weed, and te latter Ppostoesing strong proclivitics towards the Seward wing of the party. e Stephen W. Fullerton, of Orange county, was a member in 1858, and an out and out republican. Vietor M. Rice, elected to represent one of the Erie districts, held the office of Superintendent of Public jon to 1857; and Francis ” Instruction from April, 1864, to 186 Low elected in the , man of better talents than the general average of Assemblymen in modern times. We have thas nine democratic mombers and twenty-one re- peblicans who have previously occupied seats in the As- sembly. Most of the new members are unknown to fame, and are to make their debut in legislative matters, and wo wait for future devolopements before referring to them. The Assembly of 1861, as will be seen by the table, stands thirty-five democrats and uincty-three republi- cans, with the seat of Mr. Myers, of Syra- cuse, contested. Should his contestant—Mr. Clark— be admitted to his seat, the count will stand thirty. six democrats. The democracy will therefore be iu @ large minority so far as political prociivities are concerned. Some of their representatives, however, pos- fons a high order of talents, and enter upon their dutios, bringing with them honorable antecedents. Besides Mr. Kiernan, who stands at the hend of the bar at Utica, we have Mr. Kenyon, of Oneida county, Mr. Johuson, of Sen- eca Fails, the latter @ fluent debater; J. ©. Saxe, of Rena- selacr county, brother of Saxe, the Vermont poet, and standing democratic candidate for Governor, Townsend, of Queens; Bergor, of Suffolk; Collinwood, of Richmond county, ® gentleman of known abilities; Hardy and Co- zans, of New York, though both young and jaexpertenced porsese great energy and honesty of purpose, and others of greater or lesa importance, who will, beyond a doabt guard well the interests of their constitients, as well ae thoee of the State, and make a better mark in the councila at Albany than their democratic predecessors in Mae whig wing of the republican party are largely in the aacendeney in tho House, even outnambering the Daruburers, republicans and democrata combined; but we learn that a ber of these, claimed as whig re publicana, will not vote for Mr. Littlejohn, but are found worshipping at the same church whence the Spruce street philosopher draws his political nourishment SEW TORE CITY MEMBERS, In locking over the list of names elected to represent the city of New York, with four or five exceptions, per- Laps the least said the Better. The degeneration Ubat has for a long time been going on is our metropolis, un- dor the aystem of clecting by districts, has, in a general eenee. gredually lowored the of men who aro sent to Albany to guard the of one of the fret commercial citice in the world, and the leading city on the ‘Western Continent. The consequence is that nearly ail measures relating to our city—even the Tax bill—will be referred to the atanding committecs—a majority of whom have no practical knowledge of the wants of our people or the interests to be effected by the legislation, giving in the outset am easy grade for the schemers to run the lo- comotive. Until a wholetome change is brought about in the ection of our legislators, we inay expect to be ruled, ground, taxed and plundered by the rogues of the ‘rd howwe, For several youre past, although our members have been in their seats to vote, yet they jo serseed wo more Influence towards securing wholesome 1 gislntion for New York than so many persone picked up ineigeritminately ov the Five Points would bave, We may expect @ continuation of the raid against our rigts from the majority at Albany this winter, in tue same style of tho last few years, who wifi no doubt att»mpt a chastisement for baving the presumption to resist the Diack republican party by a majority of nearly thirty LEGISLATION FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK. ‘The present indications are that a great portion uf the fame of our lawmakers will be devote! w our city First and foremost will be the remodeling uf our city charter, cleaning out the nest now to be found ai \he City Hall, and the election of Boards of Aldermen amd Councilmen gn one general ticket, and many ther re forms now needed in our city goverument. Av/ were they to stop here we might have reason to pravie their ‘action; but the rich placers that they have develped i= ‘the past will, beyoud a doubt, make a continuation i= the fame line ove of the features at this seasion, and when they commence there is no tellmg when they wii ond, until the Legislature is brought to @ close by the constitutional restriction of one hundred ¢aye—the hour which our citizens have heretofore anxiously looked and prayed for, Thero i# & charter already prepared, which is said to have met with the approval of republican managers. It abolishes the Present Boarcs of Aldermen and Councilmen, elects upon one general ticket, and places the choice of Mayor in the hands of the Aldermen, or, in other words, makes the President of tho Board of Aldermen the Mayor while be holds that cffice. The advocates of tis change urge it Upon the ground that the office of Mayor will be an incen- tive for a botter claas of men te become aspirants for members of the Board of Aldermep, that being the atep- ping stone to the office of Mayor, and thus bring about a wholesome change in our municipal senate. ‘The Aldermen and Councilmen, in this new charter, are to be elected on @ genoral ticket, but we are unable te say at what period of the year. If they fix it in tho spring {t may have the desired effect, but not otherwise. Another class will urge that the President of the Cham- ber of Commerce shall be the Mayor while he holds that office, and urge in support of that scheme that New York is essentially & mergantile and commercial city, and its chief heed should be a representative man of the oom- mercial tnterests. We havo not learned, however, whether this proposition meets with much favor or not. ‘Yhere will evidently be any number cf propositions, and the fear is that between them we shall fail to obtain the measures of reform needed. THR OFFICES OF STREET COMMISSIONER AND CITY INSPECTOR. ‘These departments will also be a bone of contention in the legislative balls. » The former will, it is said by the leaders of the dominant party, be reorganized, and the power of ap- poiutment taken out-of the bands of the Mayor and placed imthat of the Comptrolier. The republicans now, how- ever, assert that they intend to retain the present effi- cient officer, G. W. Smith; but wo fear that if they do condescend to do that much for our city they will se abridge his powers that he will be an automaton in office and forced to carry out their ideas and plat We are more fearful of this inasmuch ag the same parties who promise this state that the subordinates #hall be republi- cans. There will evidently be an interesting contest over this branch of our city government, and if New York ever has another so well organized street department ag at present, we may well consider it a miracle. The City Inspector's office, we are told by prominent, republicans, shall also be remodelled. At this session they are yidently determined to have the patronage power of this department in their own hands, to furnish places for the hungry in their own ranks, but in what precise position they will place that oftice no developoment has yet been made from which we can draw @ conclusion. SANITARY BILL. There is also a new health bili, drawn up for a grand metropolitan district, said to begreed from some of the odious features of the bill which was before the Legisla ture at the last session, and which will no doubt secure long lite, happiness, and prevent sickness from ever visit- ing us hereafter. From ali accounts of the movemonts of the wise heads over this matter, our citizens may ex- pect that all such diseases as are now sweeping off thou- ands every week will, at the closo of this session, be, by autority of the “Senate and Assombly in general session convened,” banished from our midst, and the days of the inhabitants of Gotham fixed at the good old patriarchal period by legislative enactment; and who is there so vain as to suppose that the hand of Providence bas any power as against the enactments of a black republican Legislature in the State of New York? OFFICE OF CITY JUDGE. The decree has gone forth that this office shali be abol- isbed during this session of the Legislature, and a Dill bas beon drawn up for over @ month, and passed into the hands of the men who have been selected to watch and nurse the bantling until it is found strong enough to walk alone—the business of that office to be either trans- ‘erred to @ permanent court that will be in cession, or to the Recorder, It was the intention of the republicans, prior to the Jast election, to remodel THE RRGISTER'S OFFICE; but owing tothe split inthe democratic party in our city, they have succeeded in electing one of their own men, and there is no probability that it will be touched until the people on Manhattan Island take it out of their hands, and give it to the opponents of the republicans. ‘There is, however, chance for the party to show that they bave the jaterests of tbe city at heart, vow that they have got the nto their ows hands. The iacome as it now stands is altogether large for a re mmuneration for the dat everytt into cone th aired, the time ploye:t. the labor perfor: sponsibility attach ed, we venture to eay that there is uo other publie position in the city from which such wnormons sums are realised. If apy new and reasonable method could be adopted to is po danger of the republicans divesting themselves of some of the emolument ow that they are about taking possession of it, THE CENTRAL PARK. Tt is understood Ubed the Investigating Committee ap- pointed by the Senate just before the adjournment last winter will, in their report, recommend the reduction of the Board of Commissioners to five, and they to be ap. pointed by our Comptroller. This will open up lively time in regard to the Park, and be ono of the features of the Legislature. As the Commissioners have promised that they will not ask for any further issue of bonds, and wtate that what has already beqa granted by the Logisia- ture will be sufficient to complete that work, the reduc, tion of the Commissioners is the only thing that is ex pected to come before the Legisiature in reference to tue Park this winter. CITY RAILROADS. ‘The controversy for the control of these valuable fran. chises promises to be one of the important features of the session. Tt is stated that @ shop has been opened, where petitions have been prepared and seut throughout the State for signatures, with the intention to have them pour in upon the Legislature asking for an investigation into the mode of the passage of the gridirons jast winter, intending to give it the general appearance of an indig. pant uprising of the citizens of the State, in hopes thereby of opening up the whole matter and keeping the gridiron hot throughout the session. It is pretty gene- rally understood that there will be an tnvestigating com- mittee to inquire into the whys and wherefores of mat- ters and things gonerally in relation to the aforesaid grid- irons, and it is also said that a number of aspiring mem. era, running over with the indignation that the public have poured into them in regard to these schemes, are preparing themselves to ventilate the deeds of last winter, as well as the task of demoiishing several promi- nent politicians who are now living in clover. Taking it altogether, these railroad bills promise to furnish o bone for the bulldogs, rat torriers and” bloodhounds of the republican party to grow! and bark over during the entire seagion, and their performances will serve to amuse the public, if they do not develops something ‘that will be beneficial in the future. From the beet in- formation that we can obtain, thare is, howover, a diapo- sition with « majority of the republicans to make this pemcion a businena one, and the dispona! of the when Lincoin takes control of the ship of State will the tendency to relieve Albany of some of the operators who have heretofore retarded legislation. 14 will bo remembered that ‘was 1 dill before the last Legislature to lay a track the whole length of Broad. way, but in the conflicting gridiron interest it only found ita way to the Committee of the Whole in the House. Tho same parties who were moving in that, wo understand, will piteh their tents at the State Capitol at the opening of the session, with plans and combiaations fully matured to carry their projects through, and wo are told that they intend to provide within ite enacting clause » relief tor all New York, including the omnibus people who claim. od that they were so badly used by being lof out in the cokl Inet winter” There are also some two more compa, ics being organized for the purpose of asking for the same privileges, which wiil again stir up a fight, always pleasing to the lobby, or rather a conteet who shat have this valuable franchise, in which all other interests will be overlooked. It i said that one of the parties is going to offer a large bonus to the aity, and agree tocarry passengers for one or two cents, for the sake of gotting theee franchises, but at the same time expecting to bo relieved of those features and be permitted to charge passergers the same as other roads, by an amendment to be put through at the proper time. 2) ‘These projects wili be vigilantly contested by the city railroads at present in existence, as well as by those who are interested in those which were passed and became lows last winter, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor. Mf, therefore, the city railroad warfdre is not as inte- resting and important as last winter, it will not be for the want of definite projects presented, but owing to some other yet unexplained cause—for, aside from the Broad- way scheme, there are three or four for cross strectay commencing nowhere, and ending in a similarly obscure locality. FINANCE DEPARTMENT. ‘The Supervisors of this city have already commenced agitating the ¢gtablisbment of a Sub-Treasury for the | city funds, which is the commencement of the movement | before the public in regard to a scheme that has long been brewing to reorganize the finance department of our city. The project of which this action of the Board of Supervisors is a part and parcel is the abolishment of the office of Deputy Comptroller and Auditor, to | transfer their duties to the department to bo organized | under the name and title of County Treasurer and Sub- Treasury, the chief head of which to be choson by the | Board of Supervisors. One project, however, seems to have for its object the appointment by the Governor; but that will hardly meet with favor by a majority of those who are moving in the matter. Our CityComptroller, it seems, has offended the powers at Albany in some way, and has assumed » power im many instances that has not | met with favor in all quarters, in return for which he is to have bis ears cut off and his locks unmercifully clipped in many particulars. This movement in regard | ‘to our finance is really ono of the most important measures | that will ¥e brought before the Legislature for our city SUNDAY LAWS. An effort will be made to repeal the Sunday law passed last winter. The Jeaders in this movement are the Ger- mans of our city, many of whom were found in tho republican ranks during the recent contest, and will go | to Albany, appealing to their republican brethren to ex- punge this law from our statute books, making at the game time all manner of promises in regard to the as- sistance that they will receive at the polls from this | class of our inhabitants if their prayer is granted. But the antecedents of a majority of tho Legislature would seem to make all such efforts unsuccessful. A PERMANENT COUKT. Another project is also broached of making the Court -of Oyer and Terminer one of constant session, and the re- ferring to that tribunal all city ma'ters that now come under various other departments of the city, increasing the number of judges in that Court, and raising their salaries; making, it is anid, two sets of jndges to occupy the bench at different periods of the year—throe months ata time each. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A bill has already been drawn up abolishing the pre- sent Fire Department in this city and Brooklyn, and or- ganizing anew system to be a paiddepartment. The project isto embrace Manhattsm Island, Brooklyn and the suburbs of both of the cities, reaching over into Westchester county, and extending as far towards Wagh- ington as the powor of the Legislature of New York ox ‘tends in our metropolitan district—after the order of the Present polico force. The management of this grand ma- chine is to be placed in the hands of three or five commis- sioners to be appointed by the Governor. It is also to provide for the uso of steam engines throughout the entire district. The members are aso to be placed om a paid list, im accordance with a regularly graduated scale that will be attached to the bill. We are unable to say who are to pay their salaries; but one scheme is that the insurance com- panies of the city shall be levied on for the purpose, and another that the amount shall be placed in the tax levy ‘apd raised the same as all other sums are for the support of our municipal affairs. This promises to make an in- teresting subject for the session. NEW ROAD DISTRICT. ‘There bas heen heretofore considerable conflict of au- thoritics in r gard to the appropriation fur working the several roads in the upper part of Manhattan Island, and there is now a project on foot to secure the organisation of a new road district by the next Legislature, with a ‘viow of eccuring a more liberal appropriation for working ‘the roads on the upper end of the island. It is also esti- mated that one-fourth of a million will be appropriated this winter for the roads on Manhattan Island. QUARANTINE. ‘This question will again absorb the attention of ourlaw- makers. It will be remembered that they adjourned last winter without providing for the maintenance of even the floating hospitals of this city. In their disposition to touch no measures except those that had money in them, they, in fact, provided no means to protect the city from the ravages of pestilential diseases. Happily for us it has pleased Providence not to inflict us with contagious fo- vers, and if, in His wisdom, He will not allow us to be again plundered as we were last winter, wo shall have good reasons for setting apart a day of general thanks giving. ‘The Staten Islanders may expoct a renewod agitation also of their Quarantine troubles; but as they have se- | lected a member for the express purpose of looking after this troublesome question, we are content to leave the subject in his hands for the present. THR JAPANESE BUDGET. Tt is reported that Haws baa refused w pay the bill that has parsed both branches of our Com- mon Council without an appropriation by the Legislature. ‘This will likely take to Albany several of the patriots in our city well kuown to Japanese fame, whore they will figure to the edification of the rural gentlemen who haye not seen this new and rising Class of philosophers of our city. THE TAX LEVY ig annually submitted to the Legislature, and they decide how much the city of New York sball raise by tax for the current year. An effort will be made to fix the day for collecting the taxes at an earlior period, 80 aa to avoid the heavy amount of interest they have to pay under the present arrangement. Several important items in the budget will induce a sharp contest and cause a num- ber of our citizens to show the faces in certain private rogma in Albany. BROOKLYN INTERESTS ‘The lobby from our sister city over the river will be in attendance in larger pumbere than ever. Their success last winter bas encou aged them to make further demoo- strations. The various city railroads, including two or three new projects, widening of stroets, cetablishing parks and public parade grounds, will furnish food for = large class from tho City of Churches during the winter. The one cent ferPy will again be agitated ; bat it ia understood Uhat a different committee from that of the last session will be on active duty, and will cali in response several of the solid men of the Union Fer: y Company, and cause Live Oak George and his First Lieutenant, Oliver Charlick, to pitch their camp at the Delavan, and }wld open rooms dur- ing tho session. The decision of those lawyers whose opinions in such matters are considered! reliable is that the recent lease docs not deprive the Legislature from taking action in the premises. There is, therefore, no doubt that the Union Ferry Company will have an oppor. tunity to dispose of @ portion of their profita uboat the lobby. The Prospect Hili Park will also be brought before the Legislature, and an effort made to lieve it of some of ite present odious features the manner of assessmeuts. The present mode of levying the assessments for the purchase and completion ‘matter. This feature, as far as we have boon able to Joaru, is the onty objection that is raisod by the pro- party holders and taxpayers of that city, and, when amended in that respect, the park will 20 doubt moot with general favor. If it is really the intention to havea park on Prospect Hill # should be attended to st once, Defore the ground is cceupied by renideuces, which will Taake it 80 valuable ap to be beyond their power to pur- chase it; besides, under the present depression ia ail matters, now ie the favorable time to secure it, and thoss who are moving in the matter should ‘make hay while the sun shines,” and secure the site before it ia too late. There is alsa considerable talk about remadtolling the city charter of Brooklyn, but in what precise manner ‘we are unable to say. ‘THE PRRSONAL LIBERTY BILLS. This question, which has annually besa befare the Le. gisiature for several years peat, will again be brongbt up this winter, but having hanging around it a differeat odor than in the past, and will be dealt with in ri » tar more summary manner, Numerous petitions are Ircady being circulate: by the rame cia aboiition- ists whose names are annual’ paraved before the yaturo, attached to # petition, and wili in du~ time, not- withstanding the perilous condition of our aw fairs, be again presented, asking for the Personal Liberty Dill like that now on the statute im Massachusetts. The names o° Massa Greeley, Tritene, and that of one ot the editors of the Independent — the religious weekly that represents the Beecher class ef sensation reachers—bave heretofore been attached to the petitions, and from the tenor of bose two journals, aad their persistent determination t fan the tiame mechanics 0: the Northern States are made and homeless, they will no doubt again oller up a written prayer for the suffering negro, whose c ndition is not a thousandth part as deplorabie as tong of thousands of white men now within a mile of their sanctuaries. ‘There is every indication on the part of the rulo or ruin republicans, which the Tribene, Beecher and Cheever represent, not to yield in the least their heretofore de- mands for the parsage of laws to nullify the Fugitive ‘Slave law, or any other law that may be enacted by our ational legislature for the protection of the rights of the South against the fauaticinn that has swopt over the Northern States, from New England to the Mississippi. AS an evidence of our assertion that this party do not intend to relax im their crusades upon the institution’ of the South, is the fact thut the very instant that the eleo- tion of Lincoln was known there was issued from one of the black republican presses in this State a book on anti- slavery, equally as vindictive and infamous as the Helper firebrand, It has been circulated gratuitously m his State—the exact extent, however, we have not beem ble to learn—and appended to it is a petition calling upoa ho Legislature of 1861 to enact law declaring that no erson who has been held as a siavo shall be delivered up by any offleer or court, State or federal, within the jurisdiction of his Stato, to anyone claiming him op the ground that he owes service or labor to such claimant, by virtue of the iaws of one of the Southern States; and in order to give this incendiary doou- ment an endorsement, it contains extracts from some of Seward’a most revolutionary speeches.- Our readers are aware that there is now a statute ef the State of New York nullifying, to some extent, the Fugitive Slave law. Among the laws of 1840, passed whea Seward was Governor, is one entitled ‘An act to oxtond the right of trial by jury.’’ This law declares ‘‘that every fugitive negro who runs away from his master and comes to this State shall not be delivered up to bis master or agent unless his case shall be determined by’a jury; and also provides that if the jury disugree the fugitive ghalt not be further detained.” ‘This was declared unconatitu- tioual by Judge Parker, aud tias remained a dead letter on our statute bouks ever since that decision, At the session of the Legislature in 1841 the third, fourth, fifth, sixth aud seVenth s-ctions of chapter twenty of the Revised Statutes, or an act to allow Southerners om visit to this State, whether on businéss or pleasure, amd accompanied with their slave, to remain in the State for the period of nine months, and to be protected in thelr rights to his slave for that period, was repealed, and the slavebolder made the subject of the prowling bands of meddling spirits ever alert to run off slaves. A petition was preseuted to the Senate by Senator Meleod Murphy, from this city, at the last session, asking for the reim- statement of the law. It was ordered to the Judieiary Committee of that body, but never saw daylight again. Another effort will-be made this winter to have that law reinstated, but from the attitude of the leading republi- cans it will probably meet with the amo fate that it did last winter. The negro will unquestionably be a bone of contention at the coming session, and the public may be prepared for all sorts of demonstrations over the woolly heacs or the god of the abolitionists. ‘There seers to be an anxiety onthe part of a portien of the republicans to make up in legislation for the negre for the repudiation of their promises by the people of the State, at the last eiection, to allow them the right to vote. Let all lovers of the Union and cougtitution watch their movements. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. Petitions will pour into the Legisiature at the earliest period demanding the repeal of chapter 410 of the session laws of last winter. The captionof that law declares that it is to provide for the more certain punishment of the crime of murder, but its results have proved directly op- posite, The judges have experienced much embarraas- ‘ment in relation to the clear administration of justice un- der it, and the Court of Appeals have decided that per- sons under sentence of death, and not executed, at the time of its passage, canuvt De cxeeuted. under the law, and that new trials must nocessarily ariso. Tho Suprome Court tins decided it unconstitutional, on account of the impose bility of tuflicting punishment upon persons com- mitting the high crimes of deliberate arsun and murder, Tt is, in fact, a law for the relief of murderers. “he re- sult of the paseage of this act is to be seen in the reckless disregard for human life that has been manifosted in the Bumerous accounts of fatal stabbing and shooting that havo taken piace in the State since it went into effect last spring. One of the first acts of the Legisiature should be to wipe it from our statute books; but we fear that all we can expect from the party in power at this session will be simply & plastering up of its loose features. THE CODE OF PROCEDURE. The lawyers will again presemt themselves for the me- dification of the code. Scarcoly any two of them are satisfied with its present provisions. The old fogies are expressly averse to the innovation and tho new features tion every veer, sud then the ever varying system of Practice and pleading is a a serious drawback. Curtix Noyes and Alexander W. Bradford. They present- od their report on that part of the subject denomi- nated the ‘Political Code” to the ture. It embraced Uf laws government of the State, its civil the officers functions of the public the Legisiature, as well as county officers of every grade, been elected. All four of the Supreme Court Judges im the Third Judicial district have now the E HF 7 uit itple “hes u t j | F i : i f ii iy i te reduced. Hones the movement to change The peeeet aymecn, Twi be memare Chat wil cal ~ til the - - = a