New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-07
MR.. COLES STRONG LEAD.
OVER FIFTY VOTES PLEDGED HIM IN THE
SPEAKERSHIP CONTEST.
GEN. Hustled AND HIS ALERT YOUNG RIVAL
REACH THE BATTLE GRoUND-THE EXs
SPEAKER ON BALLOT REFORM.
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUyE.l

REACH THE BATTLE GRoUND-THE EXs
SPEAKER ON BALLOT REFORM
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUyzI
Albany, Dec 6.-Tbc train from New-York
which arrives here at 10 o'clock brought with
it last night a bright-looking man Of martial
appearance, who scrawled on the register Of the
Delavan House James w. Hustled, OF Peelss-
kill" The clerks of the hotel, supposing that
General Hustled had come to Albany TO push his
canvass for the SpealIership of the Assembly
and would need all his strength to-day when
nc should come 10 a grapple with the Albany
Assemblymen, gave him Room No 304, which
is situated in a quiet part of the hotel little
later in the night. st IL 80 o'clock, slender
young man jumped of the train which had just
arrived from New-York and inscribed upon the
Delavan register the name Fremont Cole"
The clerks of the hotel decided to give the rival
candidates for Speaker an even chance for the
votes of the Assemblymen and assigned Speaker
Cole to Room No. 3o2, adjacent to that Of
General Hustled.
The rivals slept peacefully all night Generai
Hustled did not know of his opponents presence
in Albany. but it is suspected that Mr. Cole had
deciphered General Husted's odd signature and
resolved to keep guard on him over night,
This morning General Hustled was peacefully
when Mr. Cole entered the room to get his
breakfast. General Hustled was profoundly as
tonished to see Mr.. Cole, but recognizing swiftly
the humor Of the situation, he called out Good
morning. Mr.. Speaker" Mr.. Cole smiled as he
heard General Husted's words, and advancing to
the latter he shook his hand warmly.
A little later in the day General Hustled and
Speaker Cole had long conference in the latter's
room, and the gossps confident that some
important conclusion in respect to the Speakershp
had been reached Speaker Cole frankly told
General Hustled that in his opinion the Speaker
ship contest was decided.
Il have over fifty votes" he said. 4" Over fifty
Republican Asscmbymen have given me their
written pledge that they will vote for me for
Speaker"
Mr. Cole then with equal franlucss gave the
names of his supporters. All Of the Repub
lican Assembymcn of Western Ncw-York, with
one exception, he said, would support him.
The Republican Assemblymen from the
great cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and
Utica were all for him, and he had the almost
unanimous support Of the Assembymen Of Central
and Southern Ncw-Yorl Mr. Cole acknowledged
that General Hustled had some support in the
counties along the Hudson River
General Eusted listened calmly to the demon
stration, but did not disclose his own strength.
Reporters aftcrward vainly cndcavored to learn
from him the number of his supporters. / do
not hunt toc ducks with brass band he said.
He continued:
81 shall be on hand in Albany on December
81 and Will have headquarters in the Delavan
House, where my friends can see me. have just
hired n Louse on Lancaster-st for the winter. and
expect to entertain my friends there frequently
throughout the winter
Speaker Cole was cheered during the day by
receiving visit from Assemblyman-elcct Yates,
Of Schenectady County, Assemblyman-elect Dun
Lon, of Montgomery County, and Assemblyman-
elect Mead. of Delaware County, all of whom
Informed Speaker Cole In the presence OF several
Albany politicians, that they should support him
for Speaker Another caller was Assemblyman-
elect Leroy, Of Albany, who early announced ms
intention of voting for Mr. Cole for Speaker, and
who recently accom- panied Mr. Cole in an cleo
tioncering tour through Western New-York. 1t
was at that time that Speaker Cole received
dispatch at Buffalo from the three Monroe County
members, saying that they should support him
for Speaker. This action brought to Mr. Coles
support that of the three Buffalo Assembiymen
Speaker Cole and General Hustled chatted for
moment on the subject of ballot reform. 1t seems
to me- said General Hustled, that you cannot
make men UOEdi ny itbiol"'Oh, anu "SASANAN
we must not expect too much from the various
potent doqlces now discussed for preventing
bribery But, for all that we should strengthen
the laws against bribery. l think we should dis
franchise. for at least five years, every man who
accepts bribc That was Of the defects
of the SaXton bill; il did not punish the man
who sold his vote. Nor should we permit any one
cxcept voters 10 be anywhere near the polls
But [ doubt if it would be well to give the
inspectors the right TO deal out ballots. L should
fear in that case in some districts OF New j ork
Citv thar a solid Democratic vote would be
reported We must preserve the vest pocket
vote, or in other words, the secret ballot. In
this last election | told the Republicans Of my
district in Westchester County that we would not
eXDpnd a cent upon brass bands, parades or
uniforms We saved the money we would have
spent in that direction until a few days before
election. when we used it in sending bal
lots bv mail to every voter IN the
district As consequence hundreds Of
Democrats had Republican ballots in their vest
pockets when they came to the polls. think,
therefore, that should preserve the right OF
a man to vote independently If he chooses TO do
So"
General Hustled also said that early in the scs
sion of the coming Legislature he would INTRO miro
duce "a bill for the appointment of q commission
to remove Sing Sing Prison to some other locahty
" The residents Of Sing Sing he SAID 1ear an
outbreak some day in the prison. ihe convlcts
now are in bad humOr owing to their not oelng
given any work | would transfer the prison 10
some wild spot in Sullivan County, ana employ
the convicts in cutting stone
s-----a-n1.--s----s-s-E----s--
COrT1PSF OF 4 BTFF4LO NALTHOCSE.