ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS.

New York, 1895

THE COUNTY REAPPORTIONED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

Each Party Gets a Sure District and One is Doubtful — Providing for a New Bridge and for Highway Improvements — Cells for Insane Criminals in the County Jail — Oyster Bay Will Foot Her Own Improvement Bills.

The board of Supervisors met at the Court House in Long Island City on Tuesday.

Communications were received from the commissioners of highways of Flushing and Newtown, notifying the board of the amount of the contract for the improvement of Strong's bridge and causeway, for which it is proposed to make the county pay one-half of the
cost, or about $13,000.

On motion of Supervisor Denton, seconded by Supervisor Underhill, the communication was referred to counsel to advise the board what course to take in the matter.

The board intends to fight the attempt to saddle any part of the expense for the improvement on the county, if there is any way open to them.

Supervisor Denton submitted a resolution reapportioning the county into three assembly districts under the new constitution. The resolution made Long Island City and Newtown the First District, Jamaica and Flushing the Second District, and Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay the Third District.

Supervisor Koehler made a vigorous protest against creating the districts as proposed by Mr. Denton. He claimed in substance that the majority was being subordinated to the minority.

Supervisor Everitt wanted the matter laid over until authentic information as to the relative population of the several districts could be had. Supervisor Denton replied that the Constitution required the apportionment to be made at this session of the board. The figures as to population were taken from the census of 1892, as directed by law, and were furnished to the board by the County Clerk.

Supervisor Siebs objected to having Newtown tacked on to Long Island City to make one assembly district. It was not fair.

A vote was taken on Supervisor Everitt's motion to lay the apportionment resolution over until authentic census figures could be obtained.

The resolution was adopted.

P. Halstead Scudder of Glenhead represented the citizens of Oyster Bay in a petition for the improvement of the North turnpike by macadamizing it and making it a county road. He said the people were almost a unit in favor of it.

Supervisor Underhill offered a resolution that the road be improved, and that it be made a part of the county system.

Supervisor Koehler asked for information as to the scope of the improvement, and how it was likely to be of benefit to Long Island City.

Supervisor Underhill said the road was six and a half miles long, and was a continuation of Jackson avenue all the way from Roslyn, and it is designed to carry the improvement to East Norwich and thence to Oyster Bay village.

Supervisor Everitt said he understood that the application was made to the supervisors because the people of Oyster Bay wanted the improvement made at once, the expense to be borne by the towns benefited, Oyster Bay and North Hempstead.

Supervisor Underhill coincided in this statement.

John O'Donnell asked for information. He wanted to know if any portion of the expense of Oyster Bay's improvement was to be put on the town of Jamaica. Jamaica had expended $400,000 of her own money for good roads, and got no help from any town, and if it was proposed to put a dollar of the expense on the town of Jamaica, he wanted to enter a protest on behalf of the tax-payers of that town.

Supervisor Denton said that Oyster Bay proposed to pay for the improvement of its highway.

Supervisor Pople made a magnanimous speech in favor of the improvement.

Supervisor Everitt, that there might be no misunderstanding as to how the improvement was to be paid for, moved as an amendment to Supervisor Underhill's resolution, that the expense be borne by the towns of North Hempstead and Oyster Bay. Supervisor Underhill accepted the amendment and the resolution was adopted.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Supervisor Pople moved that the board reconsider the action deferring the reapportionment of the county. Seconded by Supervisor Everitt. Carried.

Supervisor Denton moved that the apportionment be made as provided for in his resolution at the morning session.

Supervisor Koehler moved that Long Island City constitute the First district. Seconded by Supervisor Siebs. Lost.

Supervisor Siebs moved that Newtown, Jamaica and Flushing constitute the Second district. Seconded by Supervisor Koehler. Lost.

A vote was then taken on the original resolution offered by Supervisor Denton, and it was carried, as follows: Ayes—Supervisors Wood, Pople, Denton and Underhill. Nays—Supervisors Everitt, Koehler and Siebs.

Supervisor Siebs offered a resolution that the county engineer prepare plans for the improvement of Hoffman Boulevard from the village of Jamaica to the Long Island City line, and that the expense be apportioned later. Seconded by Supervisor Koehler. Carried.

The board ratified the action of the joint bridge committee adopting plans for a new iron lift bridge over Newtown creek at Hunter's Point.

The board of Supervisors of Kings county refused to adopt a similar resolution on Monday. Kings county wants a bridge under different conditions, which would not conduce to the welfare of the county. The Queens county Supervisors will have a bridge built under proper conditions or not at all.

The board ratified the appointment of Peter Haslem as subordinate clerk to the tax arrears commission and fixed his salary at $50 a month.

Supervisor Siebs offered a resolution that the joint bridge committee proceed with the construction of a bridge over Newtown Creek at Hunter's Point, according to the plans prepared by Engineer McLaughlin, provided the Supervisors of Kings county concur. Carried.

Sheriff Doht requested the board to fit up a room in the county jail for the use of insane and sick prisoners, and another room for the detention of juvenile offenders. The matter was referred to the Committee on Court House and Jail. Supervisor Underhill offered a resolution directing the County Engineer to make a survey, map and profile for the improvement of the north turnpike, from Roslyn to Oyster Bay, together with a form of advertisement, and report the same to the board. Carried.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 14, 1895, p. 1.