New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-18
PLATT THE PRIME MOVER.
AND BLACK is FIGHTING HIM ON THE
ANTI-CARTOON BILL.
A SURPRISING CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF IN
DERGRoUND POLITICAL WORK AT ALBANY

A SURPRISING CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF IN
DERGRoUND POLITICAL WORK AT ALBANY
oGRADYs HIGH-HANDED ACTION
tBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBryE.l
Albany. April lit was learned to-day that
Governor Black is considerably annoyed at the
persistence with which Thomas c. Platt pushes
along the bill to abrldge the liberty Of the press
Of this State, otherwise known as the Ellsworth
Anti-Cartoon bill. Mr. BLACK is a good reader OF
public sentiment ard to his mind there is no
demand anywhere for the passage OF this obnox.
ious measure. Politically he considers 1t danger.
Gus to the Republican party.
The Governor did not pay much attention &c
the bill when II was introduced in the Senate by
Mr.. Ellsworth. He supposed II to be one Of the
many absurd measures which have been submit
ted TO this Legisa ture. and believed that there
was no possibility of its being passed. But when
he learned that Senator Ellsworth was pushing
the measure at the instigation OF Mr.. Platt, he
was greatly astonished having held higher
opinion OF Mr. Platt's political sagaclty. The
passage Of the bill by the Senate followed. and
then Mr.. Black concluded that he must bestir
himself about the measure. else 1t would reach
him in abominable shape
He accordingly drew up several amendments
to it, and presented them to Mr.. Ellsworth. These
men on matters relating to their public acts, and
otherwise put the bill in milder form. The As
sembly Committee on General Laws. which at the
time had the bill seeing that the amendments
came from Governor Black, gave them hearty
welcome and Incorporated them In the measure.
When Mr.. Ellsworth heard OF this modification
Of his bill. he furious. but learning that the
amendments had come from the Executive cham.
ber, he Quieted down. and after several protests
finally agreed to accept them. Mr. Platt, II is
said, consulted at this time by Mr.. Ellsworth.
and for time it Is reported he insisted on the
adoption OF the bill just as it came from the Sen
ate. Eventually, however. Mr. Platt accepted
the Governors amendments although reluctant
ly, ard then the measure was in condition, tc
the machine mind to be damned" through.
at this point, however the Assembly Commit
tee on General Laws decided TO do some amend
ing on its own account. The members OF the
committee thought that even as amended BY
Governor Black ii much too restrictive OF
the liberty of the press. The committee. there
FORE added amendment providing that the
printing of portrait should be proved to have
malicious" intent before an editor could be pun
shed for IT, Mr. Ellsworth, when he heard OF
this action began teephoning about 1t to Senator
Platt in Washington and shortly afterward
hurredly from New-York.
Speaker O'Grady then threw his influence into
the breach for Senator Platt He would not per-
nit the Committee on General Laws to present
the amended BILL but had II sent to the Commit.
tee on Rules, Of which he is a member. This
committee has complete charge Of legislation In
the last ten days OF the session. 1t took the Ellis
worth bill and struck out the amendment last
made to II by the Committee on General Laws,
restoring 1t to the shape in which 1t left the hands
Of Governor Black although Mr. Black was not
opposed TO the additional amendment.
The Committee Rules submitted the Ellis.
worth bill to the Assembly to-day, and then
inquiry disclosed the astonishing fact that
Speaker O'Grady had constituted himself the
committee, far as amending and reporting
the measure was concerned. There hve
other members of the committee, and not one OF
them Is willing TO say that he was present when
the measure was acted on Mr.. Nixon says NJ
knew nothing about the final change MADE IN
the bill Mr.. Finn, who was present at the
meeting of the committee. said ten minutes ar
ter 1t adjourned. that the bill had not been con-
sdered. Mr.. Kelly did not attend the meestn' TN;
Of the committee Mr.. Armstrong and Mr.. Ker
sey will not say that they were present at thf
meeting. . A..
the Speaker met by himself as the Committee
on Rules and boldly amended the bill, and tnat
his fellow members of the committee DO n0e
now have the courage to repudiate MS arpi-
trary act Another proof of the truth or this
suspicion is the fact that the bill was not on the
schedule with the other bills acted on by the
committee. A. r,..
Governor Black now expects that Mr. Platt.
after cumming" the bill through the senate
and Assembly will attempt to Jam II through
the Executive Chamber. and VIII MAKE IL the
test Of his future political relations Win tne
Governor Mr. Platt has a phrase whch ne
frequently uses when he desires to budoze msn @
in political life. 1t is: Perhaps the time ne, NJ
come for a parting Of our paths" And II looks
today as though he about to employ I'M I'M
basa Nth Governor Black in relation to this
Ellsworth abomination