New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-07
SENATOR'S HAVE A WRANGLE.
PEPPERY CONFERENCE OVER THE
CLUB TAX QUESTION.
CITY MEMBERS REFUSE TO CONSENT TO CAUCUS
OR TO ABIDE BY THE GENERAL DECISION
TO
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuSE.1

If 1T is ADVERSE TO CLUBS.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.l
Albany, April 6.-The Republican Senators
held conference at the Capitol tonight on the
amendments to the Liquor Tax law which have
been framed by Senator Raines, Senator Higgins
and Henry Lyman. the State Excise Commits
soner OF the thrty-six Republican Senators
only Mr.. Lexow and Mr.. Mullin were absent.
The conference was held In the rooms of the Sen
ate Finance Committee.
. When the Senators met It we'll known
that Senator Ford and other city Senator's would
make strong effort to have the tax on clubs
greatly lowered. If not entirely abolished. The
fake" clubs and the fake" hotels which have
been established under the Liquor Tax law were
the chief subjects debated and it was agreed
that an effort must be made to suppress them.
There was a great difference Of opinion, how
ever as to the proper method TO adopt.
Senator White. Of Syracuse. named as
chairman and as soon he was seated Senator
Coggeshall moved that the assembly be made a
conference and not a caucus. This was adopted.
although several Of the leaders voted for eau
Gus. among them Senators Ellsworth. Stranahan
and Raines.
The bill with Mr.. Ralness amendments was
then read through and also the amendments OF
Senator Ford relative to taxing clubs unless
they are certified TO as legitimate by a Supreme
Court Justice Mr.. Aids. on behalf of the EX-
else Committee Of the Assembly sent in several
proposed .qfraoTdraepts ope Of which was tax
for all clubs
Senator Ford was the particular defender or
the clubs and he asserted that TO tax them
would wreck the party. Senator Raines caus-
tically remarked that he had begun TO believe
from the strenuous fight made by them that the
al hoy a
the law evaded and the morals Of the country
depraved than have 10 pay mite Of tax. or
else that some people were fighting for the ex-
istence Of fake" clubs. the membership Of which
would help the party He was frank TO say that
be believed the clubs should be taxed, even If
it hurt the party
Senator Krum said that he believed from int-
mate knowledge OF the affairs of the upper part
Of the State that the loss OF votes in New-York
City. il clubs were t xed. would not be nearly
as great as the loss of votes in the rest OF the
State If some remedy not found.
Senator Ford alleged that because of his de-
sire 10 change the Raines amendments his bills
had been initiated against In the Cities Com
mittee Senator Stranahan declared that such
a statement was the rankest nonsense. Senator
Ford had had more oils reported out than any
other Senator.
The discussion Of the amend nents became gen.
eral and rather heated. At midnight Senator
Ellsworth came out and said that they had only
lust finished reading through the amendments
and had not yet arrived at any conclusion
The amendments submitted by Senator Ford,
drawing a line between bona fde clubs and
fake clubs. were generally believed to be un-
constitutional Senator Maby thought that no
distinction could be made between clubs. no
matter who were their incorporators, as long as
they were recognized by the State as legitimate
clubs with the States approval and certified TO
by a Supreme Court Judge. 1t would be ridicu-
lous to have one Supreme Court Judge overturn
another's decision. AS TO a saloonkeeper no.
being allowed TO be the incorporation of licensed
club that would be looked upon a curtailment
Of personal rights.
II was said on good authority that Edward
Lauterbach and Senator Platt had both sent
kilograms TO the conference Mr.. Platt in favor
Of the Ranes amendments and Mr.. Lauterbach
asking a postpOnement OF action until Tnurs-
dav 1t is believed that the conference VIII
finally decide to support the Raines amend
ments including the tax on all clubs.
Senator Ford Senator Lamy. Senator Davis.
Senator Page and Senator Selbert are among
those who will not aGree 10 make the conference
a caucus or abide by Its decisions.
Senator Raines is said 10 have declared that
his bill provided that all clubs should be taxed.
but that those organized previous to the ume
when the Ranes law went into effect might
dispense liquor to their members on Sunday
There appeared 10 be about twelve Senators
who thought that clubs should not be taxed
and who made speeches against RaineSs scnelne.
The conference broke up at 80 a. m, and
the statement was made that a caucus would
be held tomorrow night. Senator Raines said:
Nothing has been accomplished, but to-mor-
row night we shall hold caucus. and then we
hope to do something.