New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-05
ALBANY.
THE COMING LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN.

CLERK AND RGEANT-AT-AIas-CO CONTESTED
sEATs-GOv. DIX's Observation-Disclosures FINAN-
GAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
ALBANY, Jan. 4.-The great question as to who
shall have the privilege of running his reputation
and digging his political grave by being made
Speaker of the New-York Assembly appears to be
the only subject canvassed outside of the churches
here to-day The leading candidates for this enyia
BILE fate, which has Overtaken most of the men who
have gained the Speakershp during the last fifteen
years are James w. Hustled of Westchester and l..
Bradford Prince of Queens. The two arrived here
three days ago, and established their headquar-
tiers in opposite wings of the Delevan
House, where they entertained members elect OF
the Assembly as fast as they arrived in town. and
furnished lounging places for their friends and sup
porters to speculate upon their chances and pull
wires in their behalf. Up to yesterday afternoon,
only few struggling members had made their
appearance, but last evening the trains brought In
large additions and the people of Albany say there
has not been full representation of the Legisla-
ture on the Sunday preceding It's opening for many
years as there Is to-day. More than half of both
Houses are in town, including twO-thrds OF the
Republican members of the Assembly, who are chiefly
interested IN the contest for the Speakership.
Among the outsiders it is noticeable that scarcely
any Federal oiiceholders such as postmasters, col
lectors of customs and revenue officers have made
their appearance. This is very different from last
year. and can only be accounted for by the fact that
craftsmanship in the rural districts has comparatively
ceased. New-YOrk City sends less than her usual
quota of patriots to assist in the organization and 1T
is remarkable that the Custom-house wing OF the
Administration party is almost entirely uDrepre-
sented. Neither Mr.. Murphy nor Col
lector Arthur, nor Marshal Sharpe, nor
Postmaster James, nor Dstrict-Attorney Bliss,
nor Commissioner Davenport, has shown his face,
but in their stead there goody representation OF
the Weed wing of the party in the persons OF Hugh
Hastings Sheridan Shook, Mr.. Van Mort, Mr Van
Colt, ex-Assemblymen Blake and Patterson, A.
Disbecker of The CITY Record, and few Others all of
whom arrived last night Ex-senator O'Bren is
also here together with Alderman McCatferty and
Police Justice Morgan.
The active work in the contest between Hustled
and Prince began early last evening and has been
kept up ever since. All the Republicans above
named, from New-York, are warm supporters of
Hustled, and he claims the vote of every 'Repub-
lican member-elect from Long Island to Albany,
with the exception of in Brooklyn lAllen)
and one in Suffolk County, who are re-
garded doubtful. Among the active workers for
his nomination are Senator Robertson and Assembly
man Eastman of the river counties, Senator TObey
of Essex, Assemblymen Yedder and Manly of Chau-
tauoua Spencer of New-YOrk and Lincoln of Onta-
RIO Mr. Alvord Of Onondaga is also for Mr. Hustled as
between the two though he calls himself an indie
pendent" in politics and will not probably enter the
caucus of either party In fact he says he is going
to hold caucus himself tomorrow on the corner of
Safest and Broadway, and expects to be
Joined by the two Liberal Republican
members, Mr.. Wagstatf of New-York and Mr..
Clarke of Wayne. Among the outsiders
who participate in the canvass large majority are
for MI Hustled. On the other hand, Mr.. Prince has
strong supporters in Senator King of Long Island,
and Assembymen Badger Of Franklin, Lynde of st.
Lawrence and Batcheler of Saratoga. With the
exception of Messrs King and Robertson the Sena-
tors take active part in the contest.
To an unintcrested observer Mr.. Husted's nomina-
ton would seem to be certainty, and so, in fact,
do his friends profess to regard it. But as Mr.
Prince and his friends are equally confident of sue
cess the result may be set down doubtful AT II
o'clock last night each candidate claimed 43 votes
sure for himself, and ten or dozen more as doubt
full. As there are only 70 Republican members of
the Assembly elected, it is evident that side
the other is being badly deceived, and it simply
solves itself into the question who is the more
likely to be " solo, Ifusted Prince. Some
are so wicked as to intimate that the final
result will depend on who puts up the
most money or makes the most liberal prom
ises of good places on the Committees There are
undoubtedly ten OF fifteen members who might be
influenced by such considerations, and it may be
that they hold the balance of power. The usual
number of lobbyists are on hand but do not take
active part in the contest, and probably will not
unless there is some trading" to be done. To sum
1t all up, Mr.. Husted's nomination is regarded as
certain by four persons of every five, and the fifth
one is in doubt only because Mr. Prince says he has
"a sure thing" There is no likelihood of q bolt
from the caucus or any other contingency by which
third candidate may be brought into the field, as
was deemed probable a week ago. Should such
thing happen, however, Alberger, Batcheller, aud
Eastman are regarded as about equally available.
The caucus will meet in the Assembly Chamber
at "A p. H. tomorrow. The Democratic caucus will
doubtless nominate Smith NJ Weed of Clinton. The
contest for the cerkship of the Assembly for which
O'Donne Allen, johnson and Wood are candi-
dates is likely to terminate in the of Wood,
who was the late Deputy Secretary of State The
clerkship of the Senate has been arranged this
evening by the withdrawal Of Dayton the Clerk of
the last Senate III favor of Henry A. Gldden, Day
toms former deputy. The two change places by
mutual consent Ex-Assemblyman OBrien Of Erie
and Fiske of Madison are candidates for Sergeant
ARMS of the Assembly, with about equal pros
poets.
Senator Madden is here and has been prevailed on
to contest the seat of Frank Abbott of
the Xth District. 1t is also announced
that Gen. Pinekney will contest the seat of Hugh
H. Moore of the With Senatorial District of New
York. Alderman McCaffertys presence here is sup
posed to have some connection with this contest.
He says that fair showing up Of the vote would
elect him, he thinks, but be does not propose to
test it for himself Senator ThompsOn's seat from