New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-10
SPEAKER SHEEHAN'S TASK
THE SELECTION OF THE ASSEMBLY COM.
MTrEES COMPLICATED BY GOV. HILL
CHA1RMANSHIPs IN RETURN FOR VOTES FOR
HILLS CANDIDATE FOR sESAToR-MR
HILDRETHS CHANCES FOR THE
IBV TELEGRAPH TO THE THIDUSE.J


Albany, JAM 9.-Speaker Sheehan is just now tast-
Ing some of the fruits of Democratic great
ness. Heretofore his work as legislator has not
been AT all aiduous, at least than he has
seen ft to make ii. But things have changed. and
the young and hot-headed leader of former Demo
cratic minority finds himself elected to the important
place of speaker of the Assembly. This means
great deal more than simply standing behind the
Speakers desk and welding an ivory Gavel-it means
that to him has fallen the labor and responsibility OF
making up the committees of the Assembly. and. what
is most difficult Of all. the satisfying of sixty eight
hungry and asping Democrats Speaker sheehan Is
practically al his wits end to know Just which way
to turn, and il will take all of Governor HIS Sagacity
and shrewdncss to help his young lieutenant through
his difficulty. II is doubt the Speakers honest IN
tcntion make his committees of as good timber As
he can. and IL he let alone he might succeed
considering the sort of timber he has at handin turn
ing ont fairly good ones.
II is not 10 be supposed, however. that he VIII
have the sole voice in naming this that mem
Der for anv particular place. Governor Hill made
linn Speaker. and Governor Hill has other things
on hand at this time. which largely influencing
speaker Shcehan in naming certain Democrats rs
charmen of certain committees The Governor
through this scheme for unseatng honestly elected
Republican Assembymen, hopes TO make 1t possible 10Y
him have the absolute TO name the next United
States senator. To do this he needs certain Demo
cratic that he is not at all of getting I'M
cratic member of the Assembly whose votes are necdoH'
This can be accomplished by putting each OF these
members at the head of important committee
and the members selected will be informed that
the gift comes directly from the Governor.
II i already nearly certain that two Of the strong
est Democratic members making hard night for the
same place-the Craftsmanship Of the judiciary COM
mittee one of these is AsSemblyman HIT. Of TINS
county: and the other IS Mr. Bush
Assemblyman Hits Of the votes that the Coy
ernor is anxious 10 get Mr.. Hit is an independent
sort of Democrat and is not in the Hill fold. speaker
sheehan authority for the statement that under the
new rules Of the Assembly the General Laws Com
mitee is as important as the Judiciary Committee.
not more so. He argues that the new Committee on
Codes has usurped many Of the important functions
Of the old Judiciary Committee. such arguments a.
this may satisfy Aesembyman Bush but will not ap-
pease ASsemblyman Hit. 1t IS therefore likely that
the Albany member will get the committee he is after.
while Mr.. Bush will have to content himself with the
Committee on General Laws.
The Speaker has not announced any OF his selec-
tons yet-t would hardly be safe for him 10 do so,
he vaiues his peace Of mind for the next few days
AS IS he is bothered almost constantly with messages
letters and personal appeals for places. Tammany
Hall has demanded only two places from him far
Cities and Commerce and Navigation. The candidates for
these places Assemblyman Joseph Blumcnthal, for
Cities. and Timothy ID. sullivan for the other com
mittee. Bumential's chances are much brighter than
those OF the representative from the ia DISTRICT
Blumenthal VIII have either Ways and Means Cities.
chances OF getting the latter being much the better
OF the two He would like the honor of leading the
majority. but It is limited that he is not sufficiently
we'll posted in parliamentary law 10 I'll that place at
all acceptably lie made only poor success a. chair
man of the Democratic caucus AT which the speaker
nominated.
The Republican member Of the Cities Committee from
New York ought 10 be ID. Morgan Hlldpth, r.. of the
XXIst Assembly District II other selection j.
made the speaker at the outset. will confess ms in
ability do justice to that city. Nh li1dreth Is =
representative Republican, both in ability and standing
and there is suspicion that Tammany money PLAYED
part in securing bis election. II he were on thar
committee the taxpayers Of New lOrk would be JUST
fed in feeling that his vote would never lie given for
the favorable reporting of a measure in which iObbcry
played any part. As there to b. only three Re
publicanS this important committee. the Rcpub-
can Representative from the city OF New York ought
10 be in whom all taxpayers. at least will have
faith and confidence. speaker Shechan would give no
satisfactory today 10 the question which Of the
New-Yosk Republicsns-Nr. llldretli or John F. Brod
sky from the With District-he would put on this
committee II was darby hiuted, however, that Mr.
Hildreth's chances not at all brilliant.