Passing Local Bills

New York, 1895

LONG ISLAND VERY MUCH IN EVIDENCE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

The Two Cent Ferry Bill Gets Through the Assembly — Treasurer Knapp's Little Job Vetoed by Mayor Sanford — One of Vacheron's Bills Passed in His Absence.

(Special Correspondence of the Farmer.)

ALBANY, May 10.

The Greater New York bill passed the Assembly on Tuesday. The clause to refer it to a vote of the people was left out of the bill.

The Senate passed Mr. Childs' bill, providing for a Normal School in Jamaica.

The Governor signed Assemblyman Vacheron's bill, amending the code of civil procedure relative to indemnity to sheriffs against claims to property taken under execution; also his bill incorporating the Woodhaven fire department of the town of Jamaica.

The town fairs bill is a measure not political in its character, but of great interest to many of the rural districts of the state. This bill proposes to give to town fairs three per cent. of the money derived from the racing tax now given entirely to county fairs. It has already passed the senate, but it looks as if it would die in the ways and means committee of the assembly. I listened to a heated discussion of the bill in that committee, but only five votes were given in favor of reporting it out of committee while six are required. It is thought from the current talk that could the bill be gotten out of committee it would readily pass the assembly.

Governor Morton signed Assemblyman Campbell's bill, providing for the construction of a bridge over Newtown Creek, between Brooklyn and Long Island City.

The Senate resolution calling upon Congress to pass a law that would reimburse the State for moneys paid out for the maintenance of the canals was concurred in by the Assembly.

Governor Morton has signed the bill authorizing Brooklyn to acquire the Jamaica and Brooklyn plank road.

The following bills have been signed by the governor:

Transferring the grounds, buildings and equipment of the Kings county insane asylums, together with their inmates, to the care of the State and establishing the Long Island State hospital.

Mr. Vacheron's, in relation to highways in towns which have expended more than $300,000 for macadamizing purposes.

The Assembly has passed Mr. Madden's bill to reduce the rate of fare on the ferry between Long Island City and Thirty-fourth street, New York, to 2 cents.

The bill allowing City Treasurer Knapp of Long Island City to employ counsel outside of the city attorney's office, was returned to the Assembly with the disapproval of the mayor and the common council.

The following Long Island bills were rushed through the Legislature on Wednesday:

Mr. Madden's, relative to the election of officers of Long Island City.

Mr. Higbie's, authorizing the printing and distribution of game laws.

Mr. Madden's, relative to the clerk of the board of education in Long Island City.

Mr. Vacheron's, prohibiting excise commissioners from selling supplies to hotels, saloons, or drug store keepers.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 1.