New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-03
STILL FIGHTING FOR SPOILs.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

ALBANY, Feb. 2.--The caucus of the Democratic
Assemblymen tonight was a success only as a po-
iitlcal comedy. II had been supposed all day that
the election of Mr. Patterson Speaker would be
followed by n caucus at which candidates for the
minor Offices of the Assembly would be selected.
Their might be some appearance of n struggle for
the offices at snch caucus, but it was assumed
that the conflict would be one in appear
ance only. Beforehand, Tammany would be
gwen so much, the Brooklyn Democrats
so much. the Democrats of the interior
much, and the County Democracy of New-iork
much. Thus the unseemly spectacle of a scramble
for the spells, on the floor of the Assembly Chamber
would be avoided. This pretty plan is said to have
been spoiled by Hubert o. Thompson, the Commits
sioner of Public Works of New-York Mr. Thompson,
by the use of the vast patronage of his department.
has become politically speaking, the Tweed of the
Comfy Democracy. He is their boss " in New
York and seems determined 10 maintain the same
relation TO their members of the Legislature here.
He has taken the most expensive suite of rooms
in the Delevan House, and from
them during the past five weeks, has directed the
movements of the County Democracy members in
the conflict going on i'll the Legislature. All his in
fuence has tended to pro!ong the deadlock with
the object the Tammany Senator's assert, of post
poning an investigation of his department, which
they ere determined To MAKE.
Mr.. Patterson's election as Speaker was a dIsap-
pointment to him and the County Democracy men,
bers. 1t showed that there was a chance OF ar
ran gments being made by which the deadlock
could be ended. 1t was resolved to make desper-
ate effort to prolong the deadlock. Mr.. Thompson is
reported to have advised that the Tammany
Assemblymen having submitted TO the caucus
should be pushed to the wall y in other words
should be given none of the Assembly patronage.
His idea plainly was that if the Tammany As
semblymen were thus asSailcd, the Tammany Sem
atOrs out of revenge, would refuse to make any
rangements with the other Democratic Senators
for ending the deadlock in the Senate. They would
declare that having been treated treacherously IN
the Assembly they could not expect honorable con-
duct toward them in the Senate Senator Jacobs,
hearing that Mr.. Thompson was thus, scattering
poiSoned arrows, resolved to defeat his
purpose He worked with great energy
throughout the afternoon among the Dem
ocratic Asscmbylnen to persuade them TO post
poae making the additional caucus nominations.
He argued that the Tanmany members should be
given some opportunity to make canvass for votes
Cor tn, r candidates lie also sad that it would be
a wise policy TO organize the Senate and elect the
remaining officers Oh the same day. During the
afternoon he fully committed the twclv Demo
cratic Assemblymen from Brooklyn 70 this policy.
The result of Mr. JacOhs's work was revealed at
the caucus in the evening. The caucus had
barely been called TO order when Amasa j.
Parker jr Of Aban{ moved ada 1hat an aI"gTm HeTin
next. Mr.. Morrison, of the County Democracy, ,op-
posed the adopton of the motion with the other
County Democracy members. They were defeated
by vote OF Al to %. Most of the interior Demo-
Gratis and all of the 'Gammanv and Brooklyn Demo
Gratis voted in the affirmative. The caucus was
then declared adjourned. The pOstponcnent i'll
lures the prospects of Walter II. Busn, who was
formerly the caucus nominee for Clerk. Already
the Tammnny members making vigorous can
vass for their candidate. George Moss Senator
Jacobs doubtless thinks that he improves his own
chances of securing an election as president pro
tenn by thus aiding Tammany. Yet the
Tammany Senators still opposed to his election,
and in the opinion Of politicians viii never consent
to it,
An immense amount Of bargaining is now going
on in regard the offices of both the Senate and the
Assembly. The Iammany and Kings County As
semblymen have even gone so far as 70 cast lots
among themselves for committee positions. When
th ir lottery is complete the result of the drawing
will he furnished to Mr. Patterson. One of the
Tammany Assemblymen, who is a distinguished
light Of the liquor business in NewYOrk, was heard
loudly bewailng the fact that he had not drawn the
Insurance Committee. His misfortune will doubt
less be mentioned TO Mr. Patterson.