New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-12
MR.. SAXTONS FIRM STAND.
THE LIEUTENANT GOvERNOR REPELs
AN ATTACK.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR REPELs
AN ATTACK.
CRITICISED BY LEXow FOR HIS LETTER TO DR.
sroRRs ON THE GREATER NETWORK BILL.
HE DECLARES THAT HE HAS NOT
SURRENDERED ANY OF HIS RIGHTS
AS CITIZEN AND HE PRO-
POSES TO EXPRESS HIS oPIN-
ION AS HE SEES FIT"
(sY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE'1
Albany. March lit will call the roll" said
Charles T. Saxton firmly and courageously on
memorable day in 1894 in The State Senate, when
William F. Sheehan, cs presiding omcer' at
tempted to deny the Republican majority the
right of a vote on the question of unseating
Democrat counted in by John Y Mckane MT.
Saxton's words were inscribed upon the Repuo-
lcan banners that year and he was the triumph
ant candidate Of his party for Lieutenant-GoV-
ernor Mr. Saxton to-day, by another declaration
equally manly, gave the Republicans OF the state
q sentiment Of the highest value.
The Lieutenant Governor" he said, has not
surrendered any of his rights a citizen. and he
proposes to express his opinion concerning any
question affecting the people of this State as he
sees at He has not resigned the right to express
his opinion as American citizen upon any
question that interests him.
This is a refreshing declaration, considering
that about every Saturday Mr. Ellsworth, the
Republican leader in the Senate. and Speaker
Fish, Of the Assembly. go TO New-York to receive
inspiration from Thomas c. Platt as to what
shall be done in the Legislature during the next
week The Legislature is not permitted 10 THINK
under the present boss system. The boss does
the thinking for it. Some mouthpiece like
Lexow is selected to say what the boss thinks,
and the Legislature obadiently thinks the same.
ALI. BROUGHT ON BY LEXOw.
Mr.. Saxton's declaratio OF the fact that he
"carries his sovereignty under his own hat
like the mass Of Republicans outside the walls OF
the Capitol, was brought out by the indiscreet
Iexow Readers Of The Tribune are aware that
II contained this morning an able letter by the
Rev DR.. Richard S Storrs. Of Brooklyn, express
Ing his opposition t. the Greater New-York bill
and asking for the opi5don OF Mr.. SaXton on the
same subject and that it also printed a strong
letter from Mr.. Saxton In reply agreeing with
Dr. Storrs that the consolidation of New-York
and Brooklyn ought not to be decreed until after
the charter Of Greater New-York has been drawn
I'D and submitted TO the Legislature. and that,
further. Brooklyn and New-York ought 10 have
a referendum on the charter. Mr.. Saxton had
lately paid several visits to Brooklyn. and ne
was well aware of the strong feeling there among
taxpayers against the Greater New-York bill, I'M
less 1t should contain referendum.
Il also had received scores Of letters from
erninent Republicans" he said to-day. protest
ing against the passage Of the Greater New
York bill on the ground that 1t was unjust to de-
prive the city Of Brooklyn OF It's separate exist
ence forcibly and without its full consent. be-
came alarmed at the opposition to the DILL rear
ing harm to the Republican party at the Presi-
Dental election this fall If the Legislature should
mass the bill Besides. l began to doubt IL Brook
lyn would be as we'll ruled by a Tammany Hall
Mayor as it is now by its present Republican
executive"
Senator Lexow. however in his keen desire to
enforce Thomas c. Patt's policy Of passing the
Greater New-York bill. could not see that Mr.
Saxton had a patriotic motive when ne wrote
his letter to DR.. Storrs. He no sooner saw the
letters Of DR.. Storrs and Mr.. Saxton In The
Tribune this morning than he rushed up to the
Senate chamber with the purpose OF assailing
Mr. Saxton from the floor of the Senate Tor
daring TO have an opinion differing from that
of Mr.. Platt on a matter Of legislation. AT first
his effort to give Mr.. Saxton castgation were
unsuccessful. The observation-disclosures was
not In the chair when Mr.. LexoV entered the
Senator Ellsworth. The latter induced Mr.
Lexow to contain himself until Mr.. saxton
should arrive 1t was an hour later when
Lieutenant Governor Saxton entered the Senate
Chamber and began presiding over its deibera-
tions Senator Lexow arose to question OF
privilege" and speeches Of extraordinary inter-
est followed.
AN EXTRAORDINARY DEBATE.
Mr. Lexow said at once that he intended to
sneak on the subject Of Mr.. Saxtons letter to
mr. storrs. All the Republican Senators looked
..ton,shed at his assailing the Lieutenant-Gov-
.-ror from the floor Of the Senate. and several OF
.,ar, ATTEMPTED to head him off. But he could
not no prevented from expressing what he
CLEARLY had in mind namely. that the Lieu
tenant-C Governor had no right to express MS
opinion adversely to any bill favored oy Iho'nas
C. Platt Mr. Saxton maintained cool oe-
neanor throughout the debate, ana nnahy ]" d
forcible manner declared HE intention OF ex-
messing his personal opinion as an America"
citizen AT any time upon any subject OF iegisia-
ton. while refraining from attemptins ~ INV
Huence the Senators or Assemblymen IN any
manner as 10 their decisions upon biiis. me
debate on Mr. Lexows question OF privilege "a'
as follows:
Senator Lexow-I rise to a question OF personal
privilege I see In this mornings papers iet'er
purporting to come from the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
OF this State with reference piece of legislation
that Is now before this Senate for consideration
In the course of that letter the following language
seems TO have been used: From the outset have
said that Brooklyn should have her identity de-
H Fl @5