New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-18
THE RESPONSIBILITY"

Senator Timothy f. Ellsworth introduced IN
the Legislature some time ago a measure which
has commonly been known as the Press Gag
bill" 1t was an unprecedented attack upon
the freedom of the press that stirred up the
wrath of Republican papers all over the state
which have hitherto been most loyal and de-
voted followers of the machine, and ii likewise
encountered insurmountable obstacles in the
opposition Of regular Republicans, who, in
spite of all pressure that could he brought 10
bear upon them. threatened revolt so wide
spread that the bill could not he put upon the
statute books even with the aid OF the Tam
many men who were openly ready TO support
it, Accordingly Mr.. Ellsworth was compelled
TO abandon the plan. and on Wednesday night
announced the fact in one of the most remarka-
BILE speeches ever made In the New-York Leg
islaturc Never before did n party leader on
the floor Of lawmakng body more plainly
confess himself a puppet, or more clearly re-
veal that representative government so far as
he was concerned, was an utter fraud and
sham. Here are his words:
The responsibility upon which rested It's in
PRODUCTION does not now deem II wise that this
bill should be pressed to passage, and without
my part, assuming any further responsibility
as TO that than l had for its introduction |
withdraw ii.
So The Republican leader Of the State Sen
ate, the supposed representative Of the people
Of Niagara. Gcnesee and Orleans in the work
Of lawmaking. confesses himself to be neither
a free agent as an adviser of party policy. nor
yet n servant of his constituents, but the
mouthpiece of the Responsibility" which die
tated this BILL forced its Introduction and at its
pleasure forced in turn It's withdrawal He
had no independent action in pushing 1t for
ward or drawing II back. The finger Of the
"Responsibility" was behind him and pulled the
strings which governed his gyrations. More
over, he confesses he Is usually worked by
those strings. That bill came from the RE
spOnsibility" In the ordinary way "the same
"as has been the case with some other bills In
PRODUCED by me which may occur TO the minds
"of Senator'S" And, we take ii. his now bill 10
remove the Rapid Transit Commissioners in the
interest Of Richard Croker was the first one 10
occur TO the minds of Senators and every one
else.
But who is the Responsibility" What is
the force which stands back of Mr. Ellsworth
performs bis thinking functions as leader
and lawmaker. and uses him for the voting
and speaking parts? Is it the Governor Of the
defer? No Governor Black has
been opposed to the bill. Is II the Lieutenant
Governor? No lie has spoken against il. Is
il the Secretary Of State or the Controller or
my State officer? No. They have no hand in
the matter. Is ii Mr.. Ellsworth's colleagues
for whom nc Is spokesman? No. They were in
revolt against IL. Is it the dlctum OF n iegs-
lativc caucus? No. There has been no eau
Gus. is II tho recommendation Of the State
Committee? No The committeeman were
frightened ut the thought Of the Bills passagc
Is 1t the power Of party platformy No. There
is no convention minute 10 that effect is IL the
voice of the Republican press? No The marty
papers have been wildly in opposition. Is il
the prayer Of Republican masscsY No They
declared that the bill would wreck the marty
What. then Is the force which mouds Mr. ELS
worth rs clay In the hands OF the potter Who
is the Responsibility? Nobody Oh earth bu,
Thomas c. Plat Mr.. Ellsworth's "Rcspops
bility" is only another name for Quigg's "Mns-
ter" and Gruber's "Old Man" The Master
the "Old Man." the Responsibility" and other
aliases mean simply the domination Of one per-