recorder and city judge of the city 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 the judiciary. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Creamer asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act amending the Military Code," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the militia. Mr. O'Donnell offered the following resolution: Resolved, (if the Assembly concur,) That the joint rules of the last Legislature be the joint rules for the present session until otherwise ordered, and that the same be referred to the committee on rules of each House, for revision. Ordered, That said resolution be laid on the table. Mr. Kennedy offered the following preamble and resolutions: Whereas, It has been made to appear by certain proceedings heretofore had before a committee appointed by the last Senate, although such proceedings have not been officially announced to this Body, that there is reason to believe that certain contracts entered into between the Contracting Board, representing the State, and individuals, to keep in repair certain portions of the canals of this State, and especially that those contracts which were awarded for that purpose at the canal lettings of December 28th, 1866, including a contract for bottoming out the Albany Basin, were procured by fraud and evil practices; Therefore, resolved, (if the Assembly concur,) That the Attorney-General be and he is hereby directed to institute such legal proceedings, on behalf of the State, as in his judgment shall be proper, to test the validity of said contracts, or any contracts for repairs on any of the canals of this State, to the end that if the same were or either of them was procured by fraud or evil practices, that fact may be judicially deter mined and said contracts set aside and vacated, and the State thereby relieved from liability thereon. Resolved, (if the Assembly concur,) That the said the Attorney-General, be and he is hereby requested to report to this Body what action, if any, is necessary on its part to enable him to carry out the true intent and meaning of the foregoing resolution. Ordered, That said resolutions be laid on the table. Mr. Crowley offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the committees on judiciary, finance, claims, internal affairs of towns and counties, municipal affairs, railroads, canals, engrossed bills, and commerce and navigation, be each authorized to employ a clerk. Mr. Palmer moved to amend, that the Clerk of the committee on commerce and navigation, also act as clerk to committee on banks. The President put the question whether the Senate would agree to said motion to amend, and it was decided in the affirmative. Mr. Murphy moved that said resolution be referred to a select committee. Mr. O'Donnell moved to lay the resolution upon the table. The President put the question whether the Senate would agree to said motion to lay upon the table, and it was decided in the affirmative. Mr. O'Donnell moved to reconsider the vote had upon the final passage of the bill entitled "An act for the relief of the poor of the city of New York," and that said motion be laid upon the table. The President put the question whether the Senate would agree to said motion, and it was decided in the affirmative. The Senate then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and proceeded to the consideration of the Assembly bill entitled as follows: "An act to authorize the electors of school district No. 7, of towns of Ridgeway and Shelby, Orleans county, to elect trustees." After some time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Stanford, from said committee, reported in favor of the passage of said bill, without amendment, which report was agreed to. On motion of Mr. Crowley and by unanimous consent, the rule was suspended and said bill read a third time. The President put the question whether the Senate would agree to the final passage of said bill, and it was decided in the affirmative, a majority of all the members elected to the Senate voting in favor thereof, and three-fifths of said members being present, as follows: Ordered, That the Clerk return said bill to the Assembly, with a message informing that the Senate have concurred in the passage of the same, without amendment. The Assembly returned the following entitled bill, with a message that they had concurred in the amendments of the Senate thereto: "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to the preservation of moose, wild deer, birds and fresh water fish,' passed May 13, 1867." Ordered, That the Clerk return said bill to the Assembly. On motion of Mr. Crowley, the Senate adjourned. FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1868. The Senate met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by Rev. Dr. Alden. The journal of yesterday was read and approved. Mr. Palmer presented a petition of the trustees of Hudson City Savings Bank, for the amendment of the charter of said institution, so as to enable them to invest in town bonds, which was read and referred to the committee on banks. Mr. Parker presented two remonstrances of A. B. James and others, against resolutions which propose to interfere with Rouse's Point bridge, which were read and referred to the committee on commerce and navigation. The President presented a communication from the Comptroller, transmitting a copy of the existing contract for legislative printing, in reply to a resolution of the Senate, which was laid on the table and ordered printed. (See Doc. No. 8.) Mr. Campbell, from the committee on railroads, to which was referred the bill entitled "An act to incorporate the Forestport railroad," reported in favor of the passage of the same, with amendments, and said bill was committed to the committee of the whole. Mr. Genet gave notice that he would, on some future day, ask leave to introduce a bill to incorporate the People's Railroad Company, and to authorize the construction and use of a railroad in certain streets and avenues in the city of New York, and to regulate the same. A message from His Excellency the Governor, through his private Secretary, was received and read, in the words following: STATE OF NEW YORK-EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ALBANY, January 16, 1868. } To the Senate: I respectfully transmit a communication from General U. S. Grant, late Secretary of War ad interim, suggesting the passage of an act ceding to the United States jurisdiction for military purposes over certain land in the harbor of New York, known as David's Island. R. E. FENTON. Ordered, That said communication be laid on the table and printed. (See Doc. No. 9.) Mr. Creamer gave notice that he would, on some future day, ask leave to introduce a bill to incorporate the Consolidated Express. Mr. Graham gave notice that he would, on some future day, ask leave to introduce a bill in relation to the Wallkill Valley Railroad Company. Also, a bill in relation to draining swamp lands in the town of Wallkill. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Banks asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act to incorporate the Union Safe Deposit Company," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Palmer asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act legalizing the conveyance of land to Arthur Owens, an alien of Columbia county," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Genet asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act to create a harbor district, and a board of wharves and piers therein," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on commerce and navigation. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Genet asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act to incorporate the New York Underground Railway Company, and to authorize the said company to construct certain underground railways in the city of New York, and for other purposes," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on railroads. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Genet asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act in relation to the New York Mutual Gas Light Company, incorporated by an act entitled 'An act to incorporate the New York Mutual Gas Light Company,' passed April 17, 1866," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Mattoon asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act making appropriations for deficiencies in existing canal appropriations," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on canals. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Williams asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act ceding jurisdiction to the In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Folger asked and obtained leave In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Hubbard asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act to amend the several acts heretofore passed relating to the village of Sherburne," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time,. and referred to the committee on municipal affairs. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Chapman asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to incorporate the city of Binghamton,' passed April 9, 1867," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on municipal affairs. In pursuance of previous notice, Mr. Parker asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act authorizing Commissioners of the Circuit Courts of the United States to take affidavits and acknowledgments," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary. By unanimous consent, Mr. Nichols asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act to confirm the official acts of James Sheldon as notary public," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary. By unanimous consent, Mr. Banks asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "An act to incorporate the Consolidated Express," 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. Palmer offered the following resolution: Resolved, That when the Senate adjourn to-day, it adjourn to meet on Monday evening next, at 7 o'clock P. M. The President put the question whether the Senate would agree to said resolution, and it was decided in the affirmative. Mr. Campbell moved that the committee on railroads be discharged from the further consideration of the bill entitled as follows: "An act to incorporate the Hudson Highland Suspension Bridge Company, for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a suspension bridge, appurtenances and approaches to the same, over the Hudson river, at a point or points between Verplanck's Point and Buttermilk Falls, on said river." The President put the question whether the Senate would agree to said motion, and it was decided in the affirmative. Mr. Parker moved that said bill be referred to the committee on commerce and navigation. The President put the question whether the Senate would agree to said motion, and it was decided in the affirmative. On motion of Mr. Crowley, the Senate adjourned. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1868. The Senate met pursuant to adjournment. No clergyman present. The journal of Friday was read and approved. Mr. Humphrey presented a petition of citizens of Pike, Wyoming county, for amendment of assessment laws, so as to exempt widows of ministers of the gospel from payment of taxes, which was read and referred to the committee on the judiciary. Mr. Campbell presented a petition of directors of the Utica and Waterville Railroad Company, for change of name, which was read and referred to the committee on railroads. Mr. Cauldwell presented a petition of Nathan B. Houghtman and 400 others, in favor of an act to enable the Harlem Bridge, Morrisania, and Fordham Railway Company to extend its track, which was read and referred to the committee on railroads. Mr. Kennedy presented a petition of citizens of Syracuse, for the removal of coarse salt fields, which was read and referred to the committee on manufacture of salt. Mr. Van Petten presented a petition of discharged soldiers of the town of Columbia, county of Herkimer, for additional bounty, which was read and referred to the committee on finance. A message from the Assembly was received and read, in the words following: IN ASSEMBLY, Jan. 17, 1868. Resolved, That a respectful message be sent to the Honorable the Senate, requesting it to transmit to this House the papers, maps, &c., on its files, relative to the claim of Bracket H. Clark and others for canal damages, and that when received they be referred to the standing committee on claims. By order. C. W. ARMSTRONG, Clerk. Ordered, That the Clerk deliver said papers to the Assembly. The Assembly sent for concurrence the bills entitled as follows: "An act for the relief of the poor of the city of Brooklyn," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on municipal affairs. "An act to amend chapter 494 of the Laws of 1859, entitled 'An act to amend the laws of the county of Herkimer,'" which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on internal affairs of towns and counties. "An act to extend the powers of the French Benevolent Society, and amend chapter 211 of the Laws of 1849," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on charitable and religious societies. Mr. Campbell gave notice that he would, on some future day, ask leave to introduce a bill to equalize the taxation of real and personal property. Mr. Thayer gave notice that he would, on some future day, ask leave to introduce a bill in relation to the practice of physic and surgery. Mr. Cauldwell gave notice that he would, on some future day, ask |