New-York tribune., 1895-09-17
COMMITTEE ENLARGEMENT
HOW 1T WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE
CONVENTION
CONFERENCE OF FRIENDS OF THE REFORM AT
SARATOGA - COMMISSIONER RoosEvELT's
COURSE UPHELD.
Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

/ ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE1
Saratoga ~ Y, Sept. 16.-Ex-Sens tor J. Soat
Fassett Of Elmira. one of the early ar
rivals this morning. and friends Of the movement
for enlargng the Republican State Committee
soon found their way to Mr. Farsetts parlors. at
Congress Hall. to consult and advise with him
in relation to the plan Of operations which should
be pursued in the convention. They were es-
pecially anxious TO learn whether the young Re-
publican who had achieved signal a triumph
over the State machine in Chemung County
would accede to the proposition for the use OF his
name as the candidate of reform for temporary
chairman of the convention and make the is
sue committee enlargement at the outset
Mr. Fassett. however, positively but courteously
refused to stand as a candidate.
II can see no reason" he said for making
this question an issue In the organization OF the
committee. 1t has been the time -honored Gus
tom to allow the State Committee to designate
the temporary officers Of the State Convention
and nothing mas occurred. in my Judgment TO
make a departure from the rule necessary. MT
Sherman, who is TO be selected. understand Is
a capable and unobjectionable man. and | shall
not oppose his election either by being candi-
date or otherwise The enlargement Of the
State Committee Is a matter that should be
considered separate and apart from all factional
question"
Mr. Fassett's answer settled the plan or making
fight on the organization OF the convention. At
5 D. m about a score Of the advocates OF increas-
ing the central body of the party met In Parlor A.
in the United States Hotel which had been opened
in the morning the headquarters OF the Repuo-
lIcan State Club Of New-York. This organization
has already taken an active part In the move
ment. There were present ex-United States Dis
rd nresided
Wilbur F. Wakeman. secretary Of the Enlarge
ment Committee who acted as secretary OF the
meeting; ex-senator Fassett. ex-senator George
B. Sloan Of OswegO; Colonel s. V. K. Cruger,
John e Milholland ex-Judge Eton r. Brown. or
Watertown; Colonel Edwin Atwell. Editor Of
THE Albany State: Adelbert II. Steele, who
heads the delegation In the convention from the
XXIIId Assembly District OF New-York; Ben)a-
min Oppenheimer. Julius NJ Mayer William Hen
KEEL Simon Gavin. Theodore +. Ruhle Denis
Shea Titus Sheard G. II. Souhworth. Thomaa r.
Eagan Henry Lipsky and +. j. Phillips secretary
Of the State Club The plans I" be Followed In
bringing the question OF enlargement before the
convention tomorrow were discussed at length.
Considerable difference Of opinion as to the best
method for increasing the committee developed,
and II was decided to appoint committee OF nine
with full power to formulate a programme 10 be
observed in the convention tomorrow. THIS COM
m!ttee was composed of ex-Judge Brown, OF Jef-
ferson County; ex-senator Fassett, ex-senator
Sloan. John F. Mrholland Colonel S V. r. Cru
ger A. H. Steele and julius NJ Mayer and CHAIR
man Mitchell and Secretary Wakeman.
The committee met at this evening and at
a late hour tonight had not finished its delb-
erations Resolutions have been drawn setting
| forth a plan Of enlargement in consonance with
the scheme developed by the Enlargement Com
| mittee which will probably be submitted to the
| convention tomorrow. 1t was said tonight
that any attempt to discuss the proposition In
the convention would be promptly strangled by
| the machine II so, the effort may lead To more
lively scenes than NewYork State Republi-
| can Convention has witnessed In many years.
| One question was brought before the confer
| ence at State Club headquarters this afternoon
| on which there was little division OF sentiment
among the advocates OF State Committee reform.
! This was the excise question. The action Of the
party managers at their Sunday night confer
ence at which they decided that II would be
unwse and impolitic to make either the enforce
| ment of the Sunday law Sunday local option
| an issue in the campaign, was not by any
means relished by the Independent Republicans.
Mr.. Mlholland brought the matter up by offer
| ing the following:
4 ReS0lVe1, Indt tnlb conference does not ap-
! prove OF the proposition by party managers to
| evadc consideration Of the excise question.
| In the discussion Of the resolution speeches
were mad, by Mr. Milholland ex-Senators Fas-
| .ett and Sloan, ex-Judge Brown. Mr.. Sheard.
| Chairman Mitchell. Mr.. Wakeman and others.
| Nearly all the Speakers took the ground that the
| excise laws should be enforced until repealed.
| and the course Of Police Commissioner Theodore
| Roosevelt In commanding a strict enforcement
| OF the laws forbdding the sale Of liquor on Sun
day was generally commended Commissioner
| Roosevelt's efforts to close the saloohs on sun
| day and the determination he had shown not 10
| be cajoed or frightened from what he believed
| to be the duty laid upon him OF carrying out the
/ provisions Of the law referred to In terms Of
] high praise. The resolution was adopted pTac-