The New York Herald Newspaper, February 21, 1873, Page 3

a? THE STATE CAPITAL. Fierce Fight Over the Charter in the Assembly. The Minority Opening Fire All Along the Line. Failure of the Attempt to Retain the _ Board of Assistant Aldermen. A Savage Charge Upon the Re- * publican Leaders. The Majority are Firm, Unyielding and Uncompromising. The Appointing Power Question the Object of Attack. THE BATTLE TO BE RENEWED TO-DAY. ALBANY, Feb, 20, 1873, The charter was the great sensation of the day at the Capitol to-day, and long before the Assembly ‘was called to order the galleries were crowded in every part. ‘That portion of the Chamber re- served for ladies and the gentlemen who accom- pany them wag also filled to repletion. It became evident shortly after Mr, Moore, of St. Lawrence, had been called to the chair in the Committee of the Whole, and a votc had oeen taken upon several amendments offered, that the majority had been Well drilled and that there was no danger of a mutiny in the camp from any quarter, The minority at the start went into the fight head first, with visor down, hoping by boldness to secure Some concessions of value, but they were so litsle interfered with in their haranguea and so toolly voted down every time their amend- ments were put to a vote that they began to lose vim before the fourth section was reached, and afterwards fought apparently more for the sake of putting themselves right on the record than because they had any hope of obtaining any resuit for their pains other than that which the Majority, as republicans, felt inclined to grant them. Mr. Charles G. Cornell was the first demo- crat to offer an amendment, which was to retain THE BOARD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN, he, #6 secure that end, offering a substitute for the second section. Mr. Peter Wood, in @ few re- marks, argued to show that by not retaining the board fourteen Assembly districts in the city would be left unrepresented, but after making this broad assertion he did not attempt to show what grounds he had for making it other than that, if there were only one Board to be elected on a general ticket they would simply represent the city as the Mayor does; in other words, that there would be no local representation, Mr. Pierson followed up these remarks by showing that the abolishment of the Board would be hailed with delight by every good citizen who had the welfare of the city at heart. Mr. Cornell msisted that the existence of the Board was almost a necessity to the good government of the city. It would always be found to be a good check upon the other Board on every Occasion when danger to the interests of the people might be threatened by che action of the Board of Aldermen. It was nearer the people ‘han the other Board, and, as at present con- stituted, represented the same constituency as the twenty-one Assemblymen. Mr. Norton differed from Mr. Cornell, and claimed that the abolishment of the Board, iu hia épinion, was one of the very best features in the bill. He had always found the Board to be A GREAT EXPENSE TO THE CITY, for which it gave no adequate return, He was strongly in favor of the section as it stood, and as & New Yorker, who knew of what he affirmed, he asserted that one of the greatest blessings that could be conferred upon the people of the city would be to abolish the Assistant Aldermen, Mr Blumenthal was opposed to the section, He con, tended that the Committee of Seventy had last year advised the wiping out of the As- sistant Board, but that they had done so to attain an end which could not be attained by the present bill. In arguing for its abolishment the committee had in view the certain representation in the Board of Aldermen of the mi- nority, which was to be secured by the adoption of the cumulative voting principle, but they had no idea of abolishing one Board and giving the other fall swing, or electing them in such a way that the Winority could not be always represented. Mr. Campbell said that there were districts in New York which had not been for years represented in the Board of Alderman, and if the Board of As- Bsistants was abolished PRS Eoale 6 NO REAL LOCAL REPRESENTATION. He warned the majority against this attempt to build up a Ring in the city, which, he predicted, the adeption of the section Would fasten upon the city—a ing, too, that, unlike the old demecratic Ring, would havé no’ chec! to its power for evil. Mr. Beebe next got the floor and delivered a owerful speech against the proposition to abolish he Board. He aeored Story and John Adams to show % to f sovereign powers in one As- Pembly Wad daiculatéd to gratify the private in- terests of a few individuals, and he declared that tno Wttent of rhe Men who were pushing the bill was to gratify their own interests, regardless of | the wants or wishes of the people. Intricue and | cunning, hé said, was at the hotCori df thd whole movement to foist this charter on a million of people, And then as to the claim that the abolish- mont of the Board would reduce the expenses of the city, he deemed it a very poor one. The ques- tiog involved was n sD ind | ee he THETION OF DOLLARS AND CENTS. It involved a fundamentai principle of govern- ment. The one board idea had been oft tried and always found wanting, and every city that ever | tried it was glad to turn its back upon it. Mr. Husted here jumped up, looking rather fierce, and | faeked Mr, Beebe if he (Mr. Husted) could ask tum | a@ simple question. Mr. Beebe bewed bis assent and Mr. Husted put it as follews:— “Was there more than one board in the city government of New York when first organized ier the Donn charter?’’ “There 1 exclaimed Hust Jooking about him in a triumphant sort of way, much as to say, “I guess I get him that time.” , Tesuming bis seat and “That is but another proof of my argument. The city had but one beard, got sick of the system aud | The twenty-flith section, which relates to the a | pointing power, was reached at about four minute: it was read through by the Clerk and there | gave it up.” ‘There was a snicker ali around at this, but when Beebe «1 miy paused and again turning to- wards Husted with a meck gravity of manner that was irresistibly funny gravely, almost solemn). asked, “Will the gentleman be kind enough to ask ame another question’” there was AR OF LAUGHTER A RO, on beth sides of the House that even the chairman | heavy eratorical ly to outsiders push them wards get up and declared rather fippantly that | and might seemingly Pp blown off by | was unable to suppress. When Husted soon after- there was too much ‘gas’? the minority and toe much “wool pulled Be may have thought he showed @ ‘eat deal of party devotion, a8 well as party wit; he did the galleries alene agreed with him. Weed im taking the floor alluded to the charges that had been made against the government of New Yerk in past years. He admitted that bad men had dishonored the city in the past and cast a sladow apon our system Oo! government that was made darker and blacker by the crimes of takers and perjurers in the Dational iegisia- ture. (Here ti jority looked excessively pious, Alberger crossing his hands prayerfully and loek- ing up intently at the ceiling, asif there wasaplen- | tual'supply of Mobilier stock among the frescoes.) He was not, Mr. Weed continued, a champion of but one,” replied Beebe. | as | but | Beeve, turning toward him, sneeringly remarked :— | | finding the h NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1873.—TRIPLE SHEET. wdnens to back up their theoge In fact the entire Board of Aldermen, he said, might be, under the selected from among the residents on one block of one street, Then he would ask what became of THE REFORM CRY OF THE MAJORITY, that the bil was drawmup for the benefit of the eople? He did not to ane hee ap entire Board of Aldermen under bill, ever be chosen from one ward, but the measure admitted the feasibility of such @ contingency. It was, he contended, a dangereus thing to give any one man or any set of men the power to rule absolutely for . A good instance of what he looked upon reat danger was given at the last elec- tion in New York, when a man whe was opposed by every bank and monetary interest, every insti- tution that had the order of the city at heart, Was able to poll 40,000 votes for Mayor. Had there veen four candidates in the field that man and his friends might to-day have the city under their su- preme control. This was an ii WHAT THE POWER OF ONE INDIVIDUAL COULD DO against large odds, and yet this bill, by depriving the city of @ branch of its government which has always acted a8 @ cheek upon another branch, would give this kind of power toa fewmen. The @ etri v aithough no count was taken. ‘The third section was next taken up, which provides for the election of fifteeg Aldermes on a@ general ticket. Mr. Crary off aD amendment making the number twenty-one, one from each Assembly district, those elected to take office at noon on the ist of January following the election and to hold office Jor two years, In advocating the amendment Mr. Crary said that several districts in New York ha' tng over one hundred thousand inhabitants Jeit totally witbout seprosensacion at present be cause of the election of the Board of rmen on @ general ticket. Mr. Opdyke contended that the ction as it stood was an excellent one and should not be altered in any Tespect whatever. ifthe Aldermen were elected by districts the pet! schemera, who, by chicanery and other villainy, certai ring control Y net ould be able to bi back the very state of thi in New York which ‘THE HONEST PEOPLE IN THR CITY were the most op] to it. Here Mr. Weed asked Mr. Opdyke if the twenty-one members of Assembly from New York were not as respec’ @ body of men asthe present Board of Aldermen elected om @ gene! ticket? This question, Obani east s “Knocked the Ln eer of be ly ke’ speech about respect , an created a great deal of merriment all round, Up- dyke ge up, looking rather aoashed, and, after hemming and hawing for a second or two, begged be be e: maki a xeused comparisons, as in ‘as all other Tere oy rous, Mr. Crary’s amendmen! was then pnt and lost, on a count, by a vote of 43 yeas to 65 nays. The Speaker, at this, sent up an amendment to the d which provided that no elector in any one Assembly atres shows te iderman Hv! for more than one candidate for A’ in his district. There was quite § lively discussion vide: over this amendment, it being e' hat the ob- jee son; to be ettained by it could not be hom MUDDLING jn AND INSPECTORS OF ELECTION to such a copra as to endanger the validity of the canvass in the districts. This was finally made so pile during the discussion that the Speaker with- rew it altogether, This once settled Mr. Prime offered an amendment maxing the election for cit; officers @ legal holiday and fixing it for the secon Tuesday in April of each year. Mr. Blumenthal warmly aavocated the amendment, which was bitterly oppese Mr. Clark. Mr. Husted opposed iton the ground: of the expense the city would be put to; and, second, because the people couldn't be “got out’ in the Spring to go to the polls, Mr. Bipmenthal believ that the provision mak- ing the day a holiday made Mr. Husted’s second objection the amend- ment of no account. Mr. Weed contended that it was in the interest of the professional poli- ticlans to have the Clection in ne Fall, apd the greatent oppositien to this featuré wad Whade to it Py, “outsiders,” whe were swarming about the gisiature. This assertion came very near knocking the breath out of little Davenport, who at the time was leaning against the swing doors that lead into the rooms in the rear of the beret desk; but he recovered himself suiti- ciel ty atter Weed had taken his seat to lean dig- nifiedly, but rather scared looking, against the wall. hugh Gardner, too, tugged at his long beard nervously, and pretended to find a speck on that. stiff shirt bosom which required all his in- genuity to remove, Mr. Herring followed Weed, and got his back up because the latter, as he thought, had thrown out an insinuation that the good man from Westchester had BEEN SEEN IN THE LOBBIES with an outsider's loving arm around his neck and in earnest converse about matters and things generally, He claimed that the eutsider was a stranger tohim whe had placed his arm on his shoulder while he was speaking to another party. Mr. Weed retorted by saying that he had thrown out no insinuation, but had stated a fact. This re- ply created quite a laugh at Mr. Herring’s expense, who somehow couldn't for the life of himsce where the joke came in. Herring was quieted finally, and Mr. Price got up and vigorously advocated his amendment. On being put to the vote that portion of it referring to the election being held in Sprin, was lost, only thirty-seven voting for it. The holi- day portion was lost also without a count. Jacobs at this stage offered an amendment to the effect that no more than one Alderman should be elected for any one Assembly district at any one election. This was lost. An amendment provid- ing that a person appointed as Alderman to fill a vacancy should not hold the place for a gfeatcr period than the unexpired term of the vacancy was adopted withoutapy by Saeed Mr. Weed then stirred up @ mare’s nest by suggesting that the section should be 80 amended as to give the ap- ointment to Hil yacancles In the Board to the Mayor Being ‘ap acai TARA as to the de- cision the majority had arrived at in seoret cau- cus the night bofore, he remarked that he offered the amendment simply because in another section of the bill the appointing power was given to the Mayor, subject to the confirmation of the Board of Aldermen. The leaders saw at once that they would, despite themselves, be COMPELLED TO SHOW THEIR HANDS, The Speaker gianced nervously towards Pierson and Davenport, and hastily writing a lew words on a slip of paper gave it to a page, with instructions to hand it to “the gentleman with the white hair.’? Pierson got the slip, read it quickly and arose in his place, and addressing himself to Mr. Weed, rather falteringly attempted to explain how, if “the gentleman from Clinton’? would only defer his amendment till the section relating-to the ap- pelnking Roret was reached, it might ‘come in etter.” This opens Weed’s eyes at once and he exclaimed :—“That’'s it, is it; if you imtended to fix the ap} that ment ened qn the bill why on earth tidn't you ve the bill printed right in tne first place?” He then resumed his seat, the minority chuckling in their sleeves at the int that Pierson had been forced riye ge to the “little joker” which is to be put in | to gi 9 the bill i Fclation to the appointing power, while the leaders oF the meierits pretended to Took totally unconcerned. But they weté discontented for the time being, and did not relish the situation. Davenpert seemed to take the whole thing as a big joke, however, and quietly remarked to a gentie- man who sat close beside him, as Weed sat dowf, “He'll have adamned nice time getting in that amendment.” And so he will. ui ge ae The clock pointed to twe s'ciéck at tnia stage of the proceedings, and the House adjourned. At four o’clock, looking refreshed aud good. Datured after a good dimner, th ajority aa minority went ve WM) muon TO WORE, F, ONCE MORE T q The latter maue an onslaught again On the third section by endeavoring to do away with the Cree which classifies his to have seven members go out every three years instead olefive and to increase the whole | Dumber of the Board to twenty-one. | Was lost, as was another MY Rene the terms of office. was voted down, They then tried the number wenty-seven. By a vote of 42 another mendment was lost fixing eight as the number to constitate a quorum instead of a majority of the Board. When the twenty-first sectiom was reached Mr. McGuire, ef Schuyler, sent up an amendment, which provided that in case of a vacancy occurring during the term of the Mayor THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN should act as Mayor until the Mis ete | of the Next political year,” instead of allowing him to stay in office for the full term for which the Mayor was elected, as the section reads, Tr. McGuire contended that the section as it stood was, in his opinion, umconstitutional. Th amendment was lost by @ vote of 27 yeas to 39 nay: to six. was at once a visible excitement all over the House, the majority evidently feeling for the frst tine duse of any fear on their part that not, indeed, because of any fear o1 there would be Ferny to ag gee to aay w that the minority wou! tee ns for them during the debate, even though they themselves end triumphant. Opdyke, rom to the wall, would be in the about whom there were many rumors durin, day, appeared to be ill at ease, as Davenport, ut if | his 'Littie mook to the left of the Speaker's chair, Mr. | where he had ensconced himself early in the moro- ing to watch every move on the floor of the | House, and where he could quietly issue his | orders to his friends, kept his eyes steadily | upon him as if fearful lest e might not perform the task alietted to him, The Speaker, however, ir fixed for the adjournment—six o’clock—s0 r at hand, took the chair and d clared the House adjourned. So when the member: got together again, at quarter-past seven, the Da- Jority Knew just what they had to do, and OPDYKR’S ‘COURAGE, fortified by a hearty supper, was not exactly bad government under any party; but the major- | at fever heat, for he knew that the change of front of Assistant Aldermen, were really champiening A SYSTEM THAT INVITED CORRUPTION and general mismanagement in the affairs of the city. He wasopposed to giving the supreme power to any party—supreme in the sense that there was @ possibility of tere being mo minority repre- sentation. He believed in the equalization of the power of the majority and minority in all depart ments of government, @ just equilibrium ratrer than a supreme centrol. The fact was that the Legisiatare legislated too much for New York. It in that Lng Lf srcinepe lt ang the yn al @ part and parcel o! much | Bucs stem; but he felt convinced that by its ‘abolishment the people of the city would be let ity, im insisting upon the abolishment of the Board | he had been induced to make would leave him th without local representation, 80 much #0 that & | missioners shall De appointed, whether fo cabal in one ward With money and political | minority that would be anything but open to demands for an explanation fri oe agreeabie and how ceuld he offer the amendment, the general tenor o1 which every one knew belore it was Presented, in the face of his dissenting report, Which ja its every line bristled with arguments agains strip the Mayor of his executive ability, took his seat the galleries were densely crowded, nearly al] the Senators having come down stairs to listen to the debate. The House was finally called to order and Mr. Opdyk once rose and offered his amendment, as follows:— MR. OPDYKR’S SUBSTITUTR, Srovion 28—The heads of alll departments and ali com. ull teri to fill @ vacancy, in the manner Jollowing ;—At any Uae When he inting EAT in any other way than | This, too, | | Governor made an e: | the motion fora cial committee, bat | Mr. Wood! | permits a member of the | of expuision. utting anything im the bill that would | after a thi ifthe term of oflice of any sich omeer oF at aay ume ser the occurrence of @ vacancy in any such office a majority in number of members of the Board of Aldermen may, In writing, nominate to ry to fill such'office. If the Mavor approve such no he shall express bis concurrence therein in writing. It the Mi teate such fact to Fe ton, a} he | person come appointed. If the manner aforesaid, Aldermen his disapproval of any such nomination said Board shall, after five days and within fifteen days from tne receipt of such communication, proceed to re- consider and vote upon such nomination; and if the same shall then receive a majority of the votes of all the members of the Board the person so nominated shall Seoreepen, become appointed. On such reconsid- eration the yeas and nays shall be recorded. If on any such recosidereation the nomination of any per- son : all not receive * malority were of the pears. suc! 01 all recely urther reconsideration, a: Back pelson shail not Again be: Homninated ior the same office: but the Board shall proceed for in the same manne: vi . re , in like manner, all members of any ‘board or commission authorized to superintend the erection or repair of any balding: Ls ing to or to be paid for by the city, whether named in any law or appointed by ny local authority, and also all members of any other local board and all other officerscan now be elected by the people whose appointment isnot herein otherwise provi . Every head of department and person in section named, except as herein otherwise provided, shall hold his office tor the term of sty yoart. ‘and ii each case until a person is dul: | ited in. pia piace. The terms of oifice of all ads of lepartment and persons r than those first prpointed the first all commence on ay ot March, but the heads of departments first ap- Re ited after the passage of this act shall, except as rein otherwise expressly provided, be a| inted for two, four and six years respectively; and all the provi- sions hereof shall apply to the nomination and appoint Ment of the persons to be first. appointed. The persons first shall take office on the expiration of ti of the enent incumbents and hereinalter provided, and shall ho! their offices until the Ist day of March ‘in thi which it ie parein provided that their shall expire. fy @ vacancy the case of hold bis office for the La Mayor Ce A be removed mm, office by the Governor in the same manner as Sheriffs, except that the Governor may direct the inquiry provided b: be conducted by the Attorney Gen- have been received by the Gov- g the investigation, suspend the days. The Gep: riments and al other - persons whose appointment this section provides for may be removed by the Mayor at pleaeure, subject, how- ever, before such removal ‘shall take effect, to the a roval of the Governor, expressed in writing. jayor shall, in all cases of removal, communicate to the Governor in writing his reasons for such removal. Whenever a removal is s0 effected the Mayor shall, upon the demand of the of sr Tetpoved, make @ public state- for. * ment of the reasons At the close of the reading of the amendment Opdyke made a few remarks to show {hat it gave to tne Mayor all the power his friends could yas Sor. Jacobs got the foor at once and read THR DISSENTING REPORT SIGNED BY OPDYKE. several passages directly opposite to the mean- ing of the amendments, hen turnil towards him he asked him to give the House, if he could, the ‘tremendous reasons” so suddenly found since morning which had _ induced im to go back on his own report. Opdyke rose, but contented himself by simply saying he did not think he was bound to give his reasons. He then sat down amid a general titter from the opposi- tion side of the House. Blumenthal was the next one to take the floor, which he kept for over an hour, in slowly delivering @ specch eulogistic of Mayor Havemeyer, and Rhee.) an amendment as a substitute for Opdyke’s, which he offered, giving the Mayor the sole power of appointment. ‘Pro- fessor’’ Clarke succeeded in getting recognized b; the chairman when Blumenthal had read his las of @ dozen newspaper extracts, and straightway began A RAMBLING TARANGOR about the Mayor's being aftlicted with “partisan insanity,’ and telling how he had forgotten all about the great reform party which elected him. The Professor was very fierce, and beat the air with his hands ai such a rate that he finally had tosit down through sheer exhaustion. It became noticeable during Clark’s spasms that the republican ieaders had got. their heads together in a corner of the room, and that there was, to use a democrat’s way of put- ting it, “SOMETHING ON THEIR MINDS.!? ‘The corner talk was soon ended,. however, and shortly alter Judge Folger, of the Court of Appeals, with the “Red Book” in his hand, opened at the art headed “Constitution of the State of New ‘ork,’ was descried in grave consultation with Mr. Pierson, Indeed, the Judge re- mained by the Jatter’s side Curing the entires debate which followed, arently sug- gesting “points” and giving advice to be mi good use of at the proper me. Jacobs got the floor after Clarke had reluctantly into his _chatr, and at once all his batteries on what he the Custom House Ring. His speeeh was the speech of the evening, and not only created such an excite- ment ag served to bring down the geds in the upper galleries and the spectators on the floor of the House into a round of applause, but it actually put the amiable Pierson ina rage. In fact. JACOBS HAD A "DIG"? FOR £VERYBODY on the republican side, and made no bones about bi dcertai his opponents openly as individuals. His thrusts at Husted for changing his policy of oppo- sition, 80 openly expressed during the first week of January, “if he should be overlooked,” to one of the utmost devotion to the very men whom he had then denounced, ‘were cutting and even cruel, The speech dealt reck' in personalities; but the chief point in it was his alin- sion to the sections of the bill which give the Su- perintendent of Police “power that no freeman Pow gupaae to” Without naming him he de- “NEW SUPERINTENDENT” DAVENPORT in a way that made the little man, who at the time was seated on the steps of the Speaker's (ada turn pale and crouch out of sight behind the cierks, who were gathered together in front of the Reader’s desk. Pierson made a savage reply to Jacobs. He was evidently “as mad as a March hare” at the way Jacobs had alluded to him and the positive manner in which he had declared that THE RING IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN had already pledged themselves in writing todo the bidding of the Custom House and thwart every move of the Mayor that was not pleasing to the re- ublican leaders. He denounced Jacobs as the jeading spirit of the Brooklyn Ring, and said he, of all others, should the last to speak of Mr. cours doing the bidding of his masters, when he, toe, had, in the Young Democracy fight, fallen into line in the ena to do the bidding of Boss Tweed. This pronent Iacoee, to his feet with an angry denial that he had ever seceded from the rauks of the opponents of the Brooklyn or New York rings. THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO Was venomously fierce, but Pierson finally became amjable and resumed his seat, after eortes, thas owing t6 men like Jacobs the democratic party was now disorganized and disintegrated. General Smith Weed then took the floor and continued the fight as bitterly as Jacobs had opened it, and denounced the amendment of Mr. Opdyke a3 ani infaniy that Would create @ whirlwind of jp- dignation from one end of the State to the other among all classes, regardless Of politics, It being at tais point nearly eleven o'clock the Chairman rose, she bill was progressed and an adjournment was had until to-morrow, when its expected fight over the question of the appointing power will be re- newed by the minority with tenfold more fierce- ness than ever. RECORDER HACKETT’S BILL. Senator James Wood introduced a bill, which, it is understood, was prepared by Recorder Hackett, providing for motions in new trials or regard- ing writs ef errers upon conviction im the Court of Oyer and Terminer of the First Juatcal Svea ory the Court of General Sessions of the Peace in dnd fof the gity a d county of New York, and te regulate in the Court ef Appeals the procedure upon such write of error. THR ERIE COMMITTEE. The Lieutenant Governor this morning an- nounced the following a8 the select committee to investigate the alleged Erie ‘‘corraption” cases :— Senators Woodin, Palmer, Foster, Harrower and Murphy. The termation of the cemmittee was a | foun | surprise to everyboay Ped 4 the small clique that runs the Senate. made clique, lin was undoubtedly chairman by the influence of that although the rest of the coi mittee presents & conglomerst, that the unbiassed mind of the Lieutenant Governor alone could have oe rapt There are only two regular republicans on it. Palmer, Harrower amd Murphy are liberal er democratic, and Mr, Foster, the only actual republican asaociatea on the committee with Woodin, is @ very gaiet Tepublican at that. There is a deeper political significanee in the ap- pointment ef the committee than appears on the surface, aud the democratic preponderance in its formation already bs Lg the republican cliqui Johnson, who originated the motion for an investi- gation, is pot thought of in the naming of the committee. When the committee was anmounced this morning Palmer was absent, and on return- ing he demanded a re-reading of it, then read over the journal to show that Woodin had not made @ single motion that was carried, declared the Lieutenant Governer had committed an out- ra upon parliamentary usage and courtesy and asked to be excused from serving. The Lieutenant lanation to the effect that das te who made thought in did, He was very sorry, but did not ropose to alter the committee on account of it. Palmer was excused frem serving, and the Lieu- tenant Governor has now the chance to do justice .o Johnson, a democrat, who fathered the mofion, r rectify the repablicam balance of power on the committee. THE CASE OF TWEED. Senator Lowery introduced a bill this morning to repeal the section of the Revised Statutes that ee to qualify at any time during the session. It is understood to be the first of a series of legislative skafts to be lev- elied at Tweed, in order to bring him down from his high place as ® Senator by courtesy, entitled to hts place, yet not liable to the pains and alties This at will sais pasties pace or compel him to qualify, ui 1m reach of those penstors Whe actually desire his ex- pulsion, though it is not by any means to be ander- Stood that all the republican members of the Senate are anxious to bring him to bay. A bill was introduced by Tiemann to incorporate It Whitelaw Reid, ‘yobn Bui names W W. Knox, W, Appleton, Jr., 0. F. ring: J. Routon, J. Henry Hager, Daniel Bixby, Charles i. Myler, Charieg ipsjee Pardee apd Thomas & Morrie he was somewhat be! their associates rporators. The = ying the ill tutes under oath pictures, 4c., to the amount of $10,000. THE TROY RENSSELAER POLICE BILL was finally read through, and carried by a vote of 17 to 12. ‘The bill to increase ‘THE PAY OF FIREMEN in New York city was discussed in Committee of the Whole, OCEAN STEERAGE ABUSES. Encouraging Prospects of Need‘ul Legislation— Mr. J. P. McDonnell Persevering in the Good » Work—Secretary Fish Alive to the Impor- tance of Protecting the Immigrant. To THs EDITOR oF THE HERALD:— Sin—In my letters of January 27 and February 4 Tdeclared my intention to prosecute an inquiry into the ocean steerage abuses and to leave no stone anturned to bring about the enactment of better emigration laws. I have so far succeeded in fuldiling my promise that public attention is now directed to the question and hundreds of persons throughout the country have written to me ex- pressing their willingness to bear testimony to the treatment which they received on Atlantic ocean steamships. I may say that ip no case has amy person accused me of exaggeration, but many con- sider that I have not painted the picture of ocean steerage life in colors dark enough, and all urge upon me to push the matter forward fearlessly. I shall do so, The public must also do so and the press must not remain in the background, The public man who will hold his tongue over this ques- tion or the paper which will suppress all reference to it camnot be faithful to the interests of the people, ‘and the millions of emigrants who are now free citizens of the Republic will not Mindfuk of such gross neglect. The gratitude of every emigrant and every descendant is due to the Hs&RALD for the generous manner in which its columns have been thrown open for the ventilation of this all-important ocean steerage question. 1 am only an individual, and without your all-powerful aid, could have accom- Plished but tittle. The people must now, however, {odd practical assistance by bringing. the question fore their trade, Peptical and social clubs, in every city aad village throughout Union ‘they must not content themselves With there &xprea- sions of sympathy, They can do what will cost them just as littie and accomplish a great deal more by agitating the question ana forcing it upon the attention of the press ana their Cengressional representatives. 1 will do my part, but the public must perform theirs. In lance with my pledge I have directed the following letter to the Chairman of the Emigra- tion Commissioners, but the public must clearly understand that the question cannot be settied by any committee of investigation and that it cannot be abandoned until it Is taken up and satisfactorily settled by the governments of this country and Europe. I subjoin another letter which this morn- ing I received from secretary Fish and I am pleased to find that its tone is very promising. 1am just now couse tte material which I shall use imme- diately after the investigation. In the meantime I shall be glad to hear from persons who feel a sin- cere interest in this question. J. P. MODONNELL. 257 Bowery, New York. LETTER TO RICHARD O'GORMAN. To Rrewann O'Gouman, Esq, Chairman Emigration Com- missioners, Castle Garden, New York :— KAR Nin—I feel it my duty to draw your attention and that of the Commissioners of Emigration to letters Of mine which appeared in the Naw York Henan of Monday, the 27th January, and Tuesday, the 4th of Feb- ruary, in which serious charges are preferred against the National Steamship Company, and a demand made ¢ for mended emigration law. serious iny of the question iy made manifest by the mere the Nuw Yore Hxnatp has already devoted over eight columns of its valuable space, independent of two lead- ing articles, for the ventilation of the grievances com- plained of by me. I therefore request you to have an in- quiry instituted, in order that a foul blot may be wiped away from the annals of our nineteenth century civili- zation. I am well aware of the difficulties under which J labor, but I have great faith ne paar of truth. 1 know that I have one of nkind's atest foes to ecombat—money—and — that ave no weapon to vanquish it but the naked truth; but I have confidenee enough in the latter to enter upon the con test. I wish to test the legality, so far as American laws are concerned, of certain treatment dealt out to steerage pasencers on the Atiantic lamies of ances, to see them swept awa: tor the Cae red ‘on the ocean of those who have cross tlantic to rear up the cities and consolidate the ness of this mighty Republic. From letters whiel ave received I have every reason to belicve that the ment of steerage passengers or the Atlantic Ocean is bad on other lines ‘as well ay the National, public are with me, the milli ocean ae with me, ever: man of honor ison my si fore arge it forward. ions who have ci le in this matter, lully you . P. ¢. Ll 'YYOUr% + gsr Rowery, New York, Feb. 14, 181% LESTER PROM THE SRC RBTARY, OP STATE. J, P. M’Donneit, Esq. ‘Sin—Vour letter of t dent of the United States on the subject of the treatment of steerage passengers on the Atlantic Occan, has been feferred hin Ue bits Departaient In reply Thave to say that, the importance of the sub ine an mitude of the evils to be remedied are lully appreciated. They have engaged the serious con- sideration of the government in more than one of its wep ar anette See e leogth of time. They have been and are now the subject of negotiation with one or more of the European Powers, from whoge {erritories the largest number of emigrants reach (his country. The subject involves questions of jurisdiction Re well ng of interest, which are not without grave dificulti t it is earnestly hoped that a solution of those did may be reached, and that the results which hut and public interest alike demand may be attaine Agreement between the several Powers concerned. No effort is wanting or is slumbering on the part of this government to reach the end which may ensure the com: fortand safety of the passengers on the voyage, and their protection from imposition and wrong a8 well on the yoyage ag at its inception and termination. I am, sir, &c., HAMILTON FISH THE CHICAGO CITY LOTS SWINDLE. CuicaGo, Ill, Feb. 20, 1873. The Tribune of this morning publishes a full exposé of the swindle in so-called Chicago city lots, which appears to have already numbered its victims by thousands, and to be still adding to the number in the Eastern States, It appears from this account that one G, W. Scott purchased a quan- tity of swamp land, about twenty miles from the Court Heuse, at $9 per acre, and subdivide into lots which have been sold at $200 each to egateate oi poole In this city, The Tritu: Dupushes a list of over one thousand purchasers, besides many persons if other sections of the country. An ex- amination of the plet of this subdivision, which was dubbed the Boulevard subdivision, shows that the lots ranged in size from filteen by thirty-five to nine by twenty feet, the streets averaged six feet in width and the alleys thirteen inches. Letters are being constantly received here from parties East inquiring a6 to the value of lots in this sub- division, which shows that some parties are offer- ing them fer sale throughout the country. DISCLOSURES IN BROOKLYN. How Contractors Fleece the City. A case of some importance te the city of Brooklyn came up before the Law Committee of the Common Council last evening. Ex-Judge Troy appeared for Patrick Donen, a contractor, and stated that his ‘client had received a contract from the city to pave Sumpter street; that he had the work about half done when, in December, 1871, the Street Commissioner stopped him; that he afterwards received the last of four certificates from the Street Commissioner, which were endorsed A Mayor. Donion, being unable to pay his debts, his material was seized and sold by the Sheriff. Then the Street vommissiener notified him to go on, but his counsel notified him net to ‘en, saying that the city had violated its contract. sity work was given to Peter Riley next, at $5 70 a foot. Donion was doing it for $3 60, and wom eve completed it for $18,946, while the city paid Riley, who is @ pet contracter, $30,850 for finishing the ¢ half of it having been dene. Donien now sues the city oF fhirty per cent kept back—about four thousand dollars in all—and also for damages for the loss of his contract. Judge Troy offered to by thirty per cent and settle the case, and the Law Committee will probably so report in order to save the city further expense. TAXPAYERS’ MEETING, The Citizens and Taxpayers’ Association of the Twelfth ward held a regular meeting last night at their rooms, 122d street and Third avenue. None of the committees which were appointed at the last Meeting were prepared to report further than “pre The Committee on La’ ported ae they wei Comps oy, | tive action. ne will be discussed and passed upon. POLITICAL ARRESTS IN ALABAMA. MONTGOMERY, Ala., Feb. 20, 1873. Speaker Parsons and Representative Williams (both colored) were arrested to-day by the United States Marshal on am aMdavit made by a Mr. Hunter, er, charging them with conspiring to prevent an election of @ United States tor on je seouas Tuesday afver the organization of the = were typing Ey for trial on March 18, to which time Jujge d adioyrned the United States veurt. petition it the Club Dow possesses property in furniture, books, be un- emigranv’s ‘Ocean, and I desire, ifthe in- which I have complained are only moral griev- nd laws speedily eee et to qinigrant. ig with me. every , and I there |. 1 am sure, sir, that it will receive our earliest aud most attentive consideration. | Respect- and Ordinances re- found that railroad companies re d to pave the streets witnin their tracks, and consequently the 126th street Railroad any could not be cempelled to do so unless by association will meet again next Thursday evening, on which occasion matters of importance THE BOGY INVESTIGATION. General Dorris Repeats His Fifteen=- Tho Comm: Had the Inside Track. sr. Louis, Mo., Feb. 20, 1873, d-Doliar Narrati General Dorris was before the Senatorial Bribery He testified that he browght to Jefferson City about four bun- cred dollars, and his son Tom about fifteen thou- to give a banquet to the members in the event of his father’s election; he gave an account of the Committee at Jefferson City to-day. sand dollars; tom’s object was amounts of money paid to Wilson and Edens (here- | tofore published) and the tenders of loans to Pope and Morgan, mentbers of the House; when he ar- rived at the Capitol he found all the old “stagers” in business, and he was obliged to take whom he _ could _ get; Beither Wilson nor Edens had lived up to their pretensions; his offers to Pope and Mor- pa were made because he heard that Phelps’ nds had $10,000 which they proposed to spend, and en their refusal to accept his offers he con- cluded he had been deceived; his disbursements in Jefferson City were about Get: and he carried back to St. Louis thirteen éf the fifteen $1,000 drafts brought up by Tom; neither Kitchen nor Hicox, who were working for Bogy, got any money from witness; he denied any connection between hus transactions and Bogy; he no more anticipated Mr. Bogy’s election than he expected to be struck by lightning; he favored breaking up the caucus, that a contingency wonid arise when the election would come to @ dead lock and ® compromise man would be put up, and had hopes he would be that man im much me lor same way as Woodsir was neminated Governor ; pam. which he proposed to spend, might be- ge sum to some men, but not to him; he would not feel so small an amount; he thought he bad the inside track ag he haa the most money; in regard to using influence to secure the support of the republican members, he said he would gladly have got them, and rather expected such support, for he had received @ letter from Senator Logan, of Ilinots, whom Dorris said he raised, expressing a hope that he (Dorris) would be successful as against other candidates who might be more severe and uncompromising against the repub- he remainder of the evidence was merely cor- roborative of the statements contained in his QMdavit read in the House some days ago. = PREAHEY JH THQ ALAia Tiven Mownraomsry, Ala., Feb. 20, 1878. ‘The rain still continues, The Alabama River ts swollen to an immense extent, and fears are en- tertained that it will rise still bigher. Condition of the River at Selma. SELMA, Ala., Feb. 20, 1873, The Alabama River at this point is now two inches above that of the July food, and continues to mise slowly. HEAVY SNOW STORM AT OMAHA. Curcaco, T., Feb. 20, 1873, Telegraphic reports have becn received of a snow storm at Omaha this morning, which ap- peared to be coming East. The weather kere ig cloudy, with indications of a storm. STOLEN PROPERTY. Goods Valued at $6,000 Recovered by the Police. Captain Williams, of the Twenty-first precinct Police, recovered two large boxes of silk velvets, Wednesday, valued at about four thousand dollars, He discovered yesterday the property had been stolen from Messrs. Richard Richards & Co., of 456 Broadway, and he is now searching for the thieves, The firat intelligence of the locality of the goods was given to Captain Williams by an officer on duty in Thirty-fourth street. This oMcer noticed some men about the place acting in a suspicious manner, and he immediately reported the circum- atance. A watch was put pron them, and the; were traced to ah empty Btoré hear First avenue. To this house one of the men, Herman Golastein, had two large empty boxes conveyed that he bought at 480 ‘hird avenue. ‘The boxes were carried into the shop and left there for a few days. Goldstein then hired the same trackman— @ blundering proceeding for an old hand like him— and had the boxes, which were this time full, re- moved to a storage warehouse in Third avenue, near Forty-eighth street. While the property was being transfered Goldstein was alone, and the po- lice were unable to arrive at the thieves. He was arrested, however, and locked up at the station house. Detectives were then sent to search his house, in 111th street, between Third and Fourth avenues, and a quantity of ladies’ silk dresses, velvet cloaks and umbrellas, valued at about $2,000, were found. These things, Captain Williams thinks, are the proceeds of other robberies, and he is now looking for complainants against Goldstein, who is supposed to be a receiver. ANOTHER CHECK FORGERY. Altering $22 to $1,200—How the Cheat was Frustrated. William Hull, alias John Smith, was arraigned before Judge Dowling at the Tombs Police Court yesterday, charged with altering a check from $22 to $1,200, Itis alleged that Hull went into the tobacco warehouse of Wilham Eggert, 138 Water street, aa urchased a quantity of cigars, valued In Sayment he presented a $60 bill, telling ert that he would like to have @ check, a8 ko wished to send some money away. The follow- ing check was accordingly drawn: POOLE AARNE DE NE LEDOLEIEDEDODOOLIDIONE OODLE NE ew Vous, Feb. 19, 1873. No. 21. N. THE NASSAU BANK. Pay to the order of William Hall twenty-two 00-100 Sacuiars, WILLIAM EGGERT. Mr. Eggert immediately after giving the check became suspicious, and informed the bank officers accordingly. The original was Pi anal during the day LF the aforesaid Hall, but it was altered to 1,200, Hull was arrested and brought before udge Dowling at the Tombs Police Court yester- day. There the gentleman gave his name ag John Smith. He was held under $10,000 bail to answer. A TERRIFIO OIL EXPLOSION AT CORRY. any =e “ Corry, Pa., Feb. 20, 1873. One of the stills in the Downer Kerosene Oil Company’s refinery in this place burst this morn- ing, about ten o’clock, blowing off the roof and one side of the building, The steam pipes were use- less. The man who was tending the stills had just left the building, thus saving his life. Thé éxplo- sion shook buildings a mile distant. The fire was caused by the explosion of two agitators contatn- ing 5,000 gallons of heavy naphtha. The agitators were 1n too chose proximity to the engine used to work the pumps. The fire has extended to the other two agitators in the same building, which is close to a large iron tank having abeut six thou- sand gallons of tar in it. The fire will not extend beyond the building in which it is now confined, THE BERALD COMMISSIONER IN CUBA. {From the Danbury News, Feb, 19.) The New Yoru HERALD has sent one Kelly to Cuba to !00k up affairs there. Kelly has received notice from the Spanish that he may be ent off. | This naturally engrosses the attention of Mr. Kelly and he communicates with the HBRALD about it, The Heraup immediately assures the Spanish government that if Mr.°Kelly is deprived of his queta of atr it will have to pay dearly forit. This restores Mr. Kelly to a state of serenity and ne plunges anew into his researches, with the blessed assurance that if he ig sent into eternity it will be money eut ef tie pocket of the Spanish govern- ment. It is quite evident to a cultured mind that Kelly 1s no slouch, TARTUFPE AND TERPSIOHORE—A PARSON AT A BALL IN WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 1873. To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD :— Several hundred guests assembled at Governor Cook’s iast evening to participate in one of the finest balls ever givem in this district. A tempo- | rary ballroom was erected, which cennected with the Governor's mansion by a passage. The dancing was kept up until beyond the midnight hour. Rev. | Doctor J, P. Newman and lady were present, and | ? not actually join in the dance | roval ef the festivities | their presence an have det the old-time Methodists to talking, and they seem to think the Rev. Doctor and his ble wife have committed @ grave offence aga the usages and discipline of their Church. Thes\ they live in an age of progress. Doctor seems not to mind their gabbie, bat ins' @ man of his prominence and recognized ability would wield a salutary influence among the étwe, he must mot drive bis coach ia the old, and wern tiquated Methodism. The Dector action in regard to @ance-going has created J stir in Methodist circles, but only with the antiquated. Mw Oe Cornelins Vanderbilt, Jr., Treasurer of the New York and Harlem Railroad Company, yesterday received proposals for $2,000,000 of the Conselid- ated M Bonds, due in the offers 102ps 10 103 6 it | 6 | | people of antiquated ideas seem to ee that | ee | but only 1,000,000 were accepted, at from 8 SCHUYLER COLFAX tec=Why He Considered tle A Resolution to Impeach Him Offered in the House of Representatives. YEAS 105, NAYS 109. Narrow Escape of the Smil- ing Prevaricator. A SCENE OF EXCITEMENT. _——— Passage of a Resolution General in Its Applica- tion—The Judiciary Committee Given Charge of the Matter, WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1873, There was @ genuine sensation in the House to-day when Fermando Wood rose and presented the resolution that the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed te report articles of impeachment against Vice President Colfax, if, 1n its judgment, there is evidence warranting his impeachment. When the Clerk commenced to read the resolution the busy hum prevailing in the House was hushed into unison with the grave import of the subject. The democrats looked stérn, almost threatening, while the republicans appeared to be in a great flutter, although it was well understood in advance that the resolution was to be offered. The friends of Colfax were evidently in @ dilemma, from which escape was almost cut off py the judicial wording of Wood's resolution. Tyner, @ member from Col- fax's own district, objected, and upon motion of Randall the yeas and nays were taken on ‘THE CONSIDERATION’ OF THE RESOLUTION. The vote resulted in 105 im the affirmative to 109 in the negative. At one time there threatened to be a tle, for the democrats were in full ferceand all marshalled under the leadership of Fernando Wood. Seven republicans—Beatty, of Ohio; Bowles, of Arkansas; Butler, of Massachusetts; Morphis, of Mississippi; Stevenson, of Ohio; Porter, of Vir- ginia; Smith, of Vermont—and two Iberals—Farns- worth, of Ilinois, 4 Goodrich, of New York— voted for the resolution. All the rest of the repub- licans were against it. It was noticeable that all the members inculpated in the Crédit Mobilier business voted against the resolution, and a demo- crat remarked that it showed little delicacy on their part to vote at allon a subject in which they were themselves concerned. When the result was announced a senae of relief seemed to come ever Many republicans, as if they had escaped fromsome imminent peril, Before the announcement of the vote Hawley, of Connecticut, was seen in hurried consultation with Judge Poland; Elis H. Reberts and others joined in, and presently the massive head of THE ESSEX STATESMAN was among the group, as though he had scented mischief from afar and wanted a hand in it. Butler, however, was evidently regarded as an interloper in theconclave and fougnt of. He left the group and Hawley scrawled something on a slip of paper, which afterwards turned out to be a substitute for ‘Wood's resolution, Me handed the paper to Tyner, who looked at it, turned it over and over hest- tatingly, and appeared greatly embarrassed, as though he had an elephant on his hands. Hawley gesticulatingly prevailed upon him to present it. Immediately after the announcement of the result of the vote on Wood's resolution Tyner enacted the part assigned to him, He offered a resolution, which took the sting out of that pre- sented by Wood, by omitting the name of Colfax and extending the instructions to the Committee of the Judiciary to ‘‘any officer of the government’ implicated in the Crédit Mobilier business, It is evident that NOTHING CAN COME OF THE RESOLUTION; for even if that committee drew up articles of tm. Peachment against Colfax there would be no time left for the House to act upon the matter. Con- sidering the fact, however, that Bingham, one of the implicated members, is chairman of the Com- mittee ou the Judiciary, there is no probability of Colfax being impeached. Viewed in the light of a matter of record, Fernando Wood's resolution has, however, accomplished the object for which it was moved. THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE. —— +—_- WASHINGTON, Feb, 20, 1873. Mr. Woop, (dem.) of N. Y., rising to a question of privilege, offered the following resolution :— That the testimony reported to the House by mittee appointed under the resolution ot the 2d of December, 1872, for the investigation of charges of bribery in influencing members of the House of Repre- sentatives be referred to the Judiciary Committee with instructions to report, articles of impeachment against Schuyler Colft ¢ President of the United States, it in its judgment there Is evidence implicating that officer and warranting impeachment. The resolution having been read, Mr. SARGENT, of Californta, MOVED TO LAY IT ON THE TABLE. Mr. RANDALL, (dem.) of Pa., called for the yeas and na: Mr. TYNER, (rep.) Of Ind., raised the question o1 consideration. The SPEAKER, in reply to various inquiries, stated that under the forty-first rule a member had a right tobave the question submitted to the House when any proposition or motion is made whether it will be now considered. That question had been raised, and it was fer the House to say whether the impeachment resolution would now be considered, The question was taken, and it was decided in the negative, YEAS, 105; NAYS, 109, So the House refused to consider the resolution. The democrats all voted for the resolution and the republicans against it, except Messrs. Beatty, of Ohio; Butler, of Massachusetts; Farnsworth, of Il- linoig; Porter, of Virginia; Stevenson, of Ohio, and Smith of Vermont—é, TAKING THE VOTE. There was @ great deal of excitement as the vote progressed, and groups of members gathered around Mr. Banks, of Massachusetts, whose vote against considering the resolution seemed to dis- point members on the democratic side. His ex- nation was that Mr. Colfax had testified yester- , and that he had not heard or read that mony, and could not, therefore, vote for the reso- lution, ANOTHER RESOLUTION ADOPTED. Mr. Tynen, of Indiana, then offered a resolution, which was adopted, referring the testimony taken before the Poland Committee to the Judictary Com- mittee, with imstructions to inquire whether amy- thing in such testimony warraats articles of im- peachment ef any officer of the United States not a Member of the House, or make it proper that further investigation should be ordered in his case. SUNNER’S FLAG RESOLUTION. A Petition in the Bay State Legislature Asking that the Vote of Censure Passed Recently on Mr. Sumner Be Re. a ae Bostow, Mass., Feb. 20, 1873, In the House of Representatives @ petition was presented to-day from Messrs. John G. Whittier, James T. Fields and sume thirty other prominent citizens, a8 follows :— Whereas at alate ettra session of the Legisiatare ot Soramonw called for the sole and exclusive rise oF ¢ o great. calamity, a. reselu- fion virtually censuring one o 1@ representatives of the State the Senate of the Union was offered and adopted; theretore we, the reigned Cluzens of Massachusetts, with @ jealous regard to the honor and good name of the State and with « roud and grateful appreciation of the character and public services of Mr. Charles Sumner, respectfully but earnestly ask, your honorable bod ita afvresal 1d by tl jews on the 18th day of December, This is the resolution which was passed by the last Legislature on the occasion ef a proposition being made by Mr. Samner to remove the mames of the battles ofthe Rebellion from the regimental FT of the United States Army. motion was m to refer the petition to the Committee on Federal Relations, with instractions to hear the petitioners, which fe rise to a warm debate, and the motion was ly amended 80 as to have the remonstrants also rd, when it waa agreed to, MURPHY GIVES BOND THE LIB. LEAVENWoRTH, Kansas, Feb. 20, 1873. The Hon. John ©. Murphy, of this city, ex. member of the Legislature, says the statement of C. H. Bond before the Pomeroy Investigating Com- mittee at Washington is faise, He says he neve appreached Bon