The Assembly returned the following entitled bills with messages that they had concurred in the amendments of the Senate thereto : "An act to legalize and confirm the special town meeting held in the town of Chester, Warren county, November 19, 1883."

"An act to authorize the water commissioners of the village of Plattsburgh to borrow money for repairing or relaying the water-pipes between these points, and to issue the bonds of said village to secure the payment of the money so borrowed."

"An act to amend chapter 192 of the Laws of 1882, entitled 'An act to withdraw and reserve that part of the public lands known as Esopus and Rogers islands from sale or lease under the land laws of the State, and to dedicate and set apart in order to preserve it as a distinguished feature of beauty in the natural scenery in its locality."

Ordered, That the Clerk return said bills to the Assembly. The Assembly sent for concurrence the following resolution : Resolved (if the Senate concur), That 3,000 copies of the Third Annual Report of the State Board of Health of New York be printed for the use of the board, in heavy paper covers, the expense thereof to be ten cents per page per 100 copies, to include binding.

Ordered, That said resolution be referred to the committee on public printing.

The Assembly returned the concurrent resolution for printing the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Works, with a message that they had concurred in the passage of the same.

Mr. Jacobs introduced a bill entitled "An act to provide for a commission to ascertain and report the best method of employing convict labor, other than the contract system, in the prisons, penitentiaries and reformatories in this State," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on finance.

Mr. Baker moved that said bill be printed.

The President put the question whether the Senate would agree to said motion, and it was decided in the affirmative, a majority of all the Senators elected voting in favor thereof, as follows:

Mr. Thacher, by request, introduced a bill entitled "An act to amend chapter 298 of the Laws of 1883, entitled 'An act to provide for the government of the city of Albany," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on cities.

Also, by request, a bill entitled "An act to amend chapter 298 of the Laws of 1883, entitled 'An act to provide for the government of the city of Albany," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on cities.

Mr. Robb introduced a bill entitled "An act to regulate the acquisition, tenure, and disposition of property in this State by aliens," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

Also, a bill entitled "An act to amend chapter 468 of the Laws of 1881, entitled 'An act to authorize the formation of corporations for the purpose of acquiring, constructing and operating railroads in foreign countries," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

The President presented the Report of the New York State Survey, for the year 1883; which was laid upon the table and ordered printed.

(See Doc. No.

.)

The Senate then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and proceeded to the consideration of special orders, being the concurrent resolution entitled as follows:

"Proposing an amendment to the Constitution by adding an additional article thereto, to be known as article 17."

After some time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Baker, from said committee, reported progress on the abovenamed concurrent resolution, and asked and obtained leave to sit again.

Mr. Lansing moved that Senate bill, No. 160, entitled "An act making an appropriation for continuing work on the Capitol during the current year; for the purchase of material therefor, and for the payment of pending contracts thereon," be made the special order for to-morrow morning immediately after the reading of the journal.

The President put the question whether the Senate would agree to said motion, and it was decided in the affirmative, two-thirds of all the Senators elected voting in favor thereof.

On motion of Mr. Plunkitt, the Senate adjourned.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1884.

The Senate met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by the Chaplain.

The journal of yesterday was read and approved.

The Senate then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and proceeded to the consideration of special order, being the bill entitled as follows:

"An act making an appropriation for continuing the work on the Capitol during the current year, for the purchase of material therefor and for the payment of pending contracts thereon."

After some time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Gilbert, from said committee, reported in favor of the passage of the above-named bill, with amendments, which report was agreed to, and the same ordered engrossed for a third reading.

Mr. Thacher offered the following:

Whereas, The board of officers appointed under an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1883, making appropriations for the navy service and for the purpose of examining and reporting to Congress which of

the navy yards or arsenals has the best location and is best adapted for the establishment of a government foundry for the manufacture of heavy ordnance adapted to modern warfare; and,

Whereas, The said board having reported to Congress February 18, 1884, recommending the establishment of a gun factory under the control of the government at the Watervliet Arsenal, West Troy, it being the most advantageous for locality; and,

Whereas, The establishment of this gun factory and operating the same would by the use of large quantities of manufactured materials and the employment of a largely increased number of mechanics and laborers greatly enhance the business, mechanical and laboring interests of our State; therefore,

Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That our Senators and Representatives in Congress be and are hereby requested to support and urge the necessary appropriation as recommended by the said board.

Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress.

Ordered, That said resolutions be laid upon the table under the rule. Mr. Murphy introduced a bill entitled "An act to require the Secretary of State to procure a suitable plate to print certificates to present to honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and marines who served in the Union army and navy from the State of New York," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on finance.

Mr. Ellsworth introduced a bill entitled "An act to amend chapter 329 of the Laws of 1883, entitled 'An act to provide for organizing in the Supreme Court five General Terms thereof, and for the election of justices of that court in addition to the justices now in office," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

Mr. Otis introduced a bill entitled "An act to set off Lloyd's Neck from the town of Oyster Bay, Queens county, and annex the same to the town of Huntington, Suffolk county," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on erection and division of towns and counties.

Mr. Kiernan introduced a bill entitled "An act to authorize the Medical Society of the county of Kings to take and hold real and personal property, and to raise funds for the payment of such real property as it may purchase," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

Also, a bill entitled "An act to provide the several hospitals, orphan asylums and other charitable corporations, societies and institutions in the city of Brooklyn with water in said city free of charge," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on cities.

Also, a bill entitled "An act to authorize the Brooklyn City Railroad Company, the Broadway Railroad Company of Brooklyn and the Bushwick Railroad Company of the city of Brooklyn to grant, sell and convey to each other, or to any other railroad company, any of their branches or property," which was read the first time, and by

unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on railroads.

Mr. Thomas introduced a bill entitled "An act to amend chapter 27 of the Laws of 1875, entitled 'An act to designate the holidays to be observed in the acceptance and payment of bills of exchange, bank checks and promissory notes,' as amended by chapter 30 of the Laws of 1881," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

Also, a bill entitled "An act to release the interest of the people of the State of New York in and to the lands of which Andreas Henry Gaupp died seized to Katharine Gaupp, widow," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

Also, a bill entitled "An act to amend an act, passed April 5, 1860, entitled 'An act to amend the act entitled An act authorizing the incorporation of rural cemetery associations,' passed April 27, 1847," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

Mr. Plunkitt introduced a bill entitled "An act to provide for the better protection of life in cities of this State," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on cities.

Also, a bill entitled "An act to promote the efficiency of the fire department of the city of New York by securing to the uniformed members thereof free transportation on the elevated railroads of said city," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on railroads. On motion of Mr. Lansing, the Senate adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1884.

The Senate met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by the Chaplain.

The journal of yesterday was read and approved.

Mr. Ellsworth, from the committee on the judiciary, to which was referred the bill introduced by Mr. Thomas, Int. No. 349, entitled "An act to provide for changing the site of county buildings," reported in favor of the passage of the same, with amendments, which report was agreed to, and said bill committed to the committee of the whole.

Mr. Ellsworth, from the committee on the judiciary, to which was referred the bill introduced by Mr. Vedder, Int. No. 24, entitled "An act to amend section 56 of the Code of Criminal Procedure," reported in favor of the passage of the same, with amendments, and the title amended so as to read "An act to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure," which report was agreed to, and said bill committed to the committee of the whole.

Mr. Ellsworth, from the committee on the judiciary, to which was referred the bill introduced by Mr. Thomas, Int. No. 321, entitled "An act to amend chapter 365 of the Laws of 1862, entitled 'An act to authorize the discharge of mortgages of record in certain cases,' as amended by chapter 798 of the Laws of 1868, and chapter 551 of the Laws of 1873," reported in favor of the passage of the same, which report was agreed to, and said bill committed to the committee of the whole.

Mr. Vedder, from the committee on taxation, to which was referred the bill introduced by Mr. Thacher, Int. No. 157, entitled "An act to amend chapter 427 of the Laws of 1855, entitled 'An act in relation to the collection of taxes on lands of non-residents and to provide for the sale of such lands for unpaid taxes," reported the same for the consideration of the Senate, and said bill committed to the committee of the whole.

On motion of Mr. Vedder it was ordered that said bill, when printed, be recommitted to the committee on taxation.

Mr. Vedder, from the committee on taxation, to which was referred the bill introduced by Mr. Otis, Int. No. 366, entitled "An act to regulate the sale of lands for unpaid taxes in the town of Newtown, Queens county, to fix the fees and expenses thereof," reported in favor of the passage of the same, which report was agreed to, and said bill committed to the committee of the whole.

Mr. Vedder, from the committee on taxation, to which was referred the bill introduced by Mr. Jacobs, Int. No. 362, entitled "An act to amend chapter 189 of the Laws of 1882, entitled 'An act to provide for the division into three annual installments the assessments for grading Atlantic avenue in the town of New Lots, first assessed under the provisions of chapter 217 of the Laws of 1869, as amended by chapter 619, Laws of 1870, and apportioned by the board of supervisors of said county under the provisions of chapter 689, Laws of 1881," reported the same for the consideration of the Senate, and said bill committed to the committee of the whole.

On motion of Mr. Vedder it was ordered that said bill, when printed, be recommitted to the committee on taxation.

Mr. Vedder, from the committee on taxation, to which was referred the bill introduced by Mr. Thomas, Int. No. 36, entitled "An act to provide for the assessment of telegraph, telephone and electric light lines," reported the same for the consideration of the Senate, and said bill committed to the committee of the whole.

On motion of Mr. Vedder, it was ordered that said bill, when printed, be recommitted to the committee on taxation.

Mr. Vedder, from the committee on taxation, to which was referred the bill introduced by Mr. Otis, Ins. No. 238, entitled "An act to amend chapter 226 of the Laws of 1878, entitled 'An act to amend chapter 268 of the Laws of 1877, entitled An act in relation to the collection of taxes and the sale of lands therefor in certain towns in Queens county," reported the same for the consideration of the Senate, and said bill committed to the committee of the whole.

On motion of Mr. Vedder it was ordered that said bill, when printed, be recommitted to the committee on taxation.

Mr. Vedder, from the committee on taxation, to which was referred the Assembly bill entitled "An act to amend section 8 of chapter 176 of the Laws of 1851, entitled 'An act to amend the law for the assessment and collection of taxes," reported in favor of the passage of the same, which report was agreed to, and said bill committed to the committee of the whole.