The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-02
PARTY LINES AT B A
DEM0CRhTIo CAUCUS FL0PS At
CROKER,S BEHESE

CROKER's BEHEsT.
Swallows Biennini Sessions and An-Doiiar Gas
and Cheaper Telephone bills Won't Get
overwhelmingly Biii Discussed at Confer
encs or Gov. Black and Other Republicans.
Al ,.NY, March 1.-The Democratic members
of tho Legislature met in joint caucus tonight
and executed their lop on biennial sessions.
They also approved formally the suggestions in
Mr.. Cookers letter regarding hostility to cor
porations and the Rainos Liquor Tax law. They
even went beyond the Croker letter and de-
clared in favor OF opposing government by
Injunction
The caucus was of brief duration. Senator
Foley presided and Senator Cantor read the letter
which he received from Mr.. Croker last night.
He asked Assemblyman Palmer of Schoharie.
who is regarded as ex.aov. Hills spokesman,
to state the position of the upstate Democrats on
the subjects OF dollar gas, cheaper telephone
rates, home rule for cities, ANTITRUST legislation,
reasonable and fair charge for public franchises,
homo rule in excise matters, municipal control
Of franchises so far as practicable, o feasible
rapid transit system for New York city under q
new commission and opposition to government
by Injunction.
Mr.. Palmer said that he and tho other ooun.
try Democrats favored all these things and that
they were DESTROYS Of acting with tho majority
Oh tnelr party as Uney nnu uOn0 heretofore.
Assemblyman Brown OF Rockland county said
that he didn't want to bind himself too strongly
on the antitrust bills. For the fret time In tho
history Of his county a trust was now being Or
ganized there which would give work to hun
dreds of men. He didn't want. to support any
Aside from this demur on the part Of Mr..
Brown. the platform outlined by Senator Can
tor was agreed to unanimously. and a com:
to the public, to be submitted to an adjourned
meeting of the Joint caucus to be held at 10
sists Of Senators Cantor. Grady. and Feather.
son Of New York, and Gallagher Of Brooklyn;
New HYSorR0i PaI@er D Of SeooGha aha sSnmiddh OF
Brooklyn. and Maloney OF Buffalo.
"wh !, about t, bien mn S.u scssion'i" Inquired
had been arranged. The Democratic Senators
y, were a little bit sGueamish about participating
out Of the hands OF the Senate, and the Demo-
cratic Assemblymen should determine their
was willing to take his medicine. He said
that the Democrats In both houses should
stand together on biennial sessions as on every
moved that the party favor biennial sessions.
and this was unanimously adopted by the Same
week. before Mr.. Croker had spoken. The com.
mitteo will probably include this subject in its
pronunciameDto which is intended to be q sort of
preconvention State platform.
no Inc Kepn6liean Leaders here also held an inn
tive chamber and was continue in the Speakers
room g a. These t,o. y present were Gov; Black; Chair.
SSFf fsssaer Ai ksissE. 5 ksnssS f s1sS%: s esR:
tendent Of Insurance Louis F. Payn. and
Superintendent of Public Works AldridRe:
at length; Senator Lexow presented the draft
of his. bill which was completed to-day. 1t is
P ISs naS saEsn the rs same as t the ID bill prepared by
Club, the Committee Of Fifty-threc. and tho Re.
publican League Of Buffalo. One objection
men who differed politically from their Gun.
ployer would be afraid to enroll If the rolls were
an amendment to overcome this. 1t provides |
that the rolls shall not be made public until
the Republican primaries shall be held under
cratic primaries under the Democratic officers
instead Of both under tho full board. All prima.
ries are to be held at the same time and place.
that he believed these changes would be indorsed
by the independents:
were two other conferences between Gov. Black.
Pavey. Assemblyman Laimbeer. Paul
p 2 Crsvath Of tho Union League Club. and
tee Of Fifty:three was not represented.
the changes in the bill which Senator LexoW
had made. refused to commit themselves for or
measure. They all said. however. that they had
The greatest faith in Gov. Black, and were much
pleased at his attitude on primary legislation,
The party conference OF regular Republicans
approved Senator Lexow's draft, and it was
agreed that it should be submitted to the judi
ciary of which Senator Lexow is
at its meeting tomorrow. The com
Inittee will then agree to report 1t to the Senate
Rs a committee bill on Thursday morning, and
the Independents do not again shift their posi-
ton 1t will be passed next week. |
Now that the primary legislation is at last in
hand. there Is nothing to keep the Legislature
much longer. and the Republican conference
agreed that n final adjournment should be had
March 25 and April ..
Some one brought up the subject of the re-
newed attacks of tho Democrats on tho gas and
companies. The sense Of the confer.
once was that the gas question had been settled
year. when a bill was passed for a gradual
reduction OF 5 cents a year for FIVE years. This
n compromise and practically an agreement
between the gas companies and the LeRisla-
,ure. As the bill was passed for five years and
las three years yet to run, it was considered
hat further legislation this year would be in
lad faith. No one knew OF any public demand for
/ reduction in telephone charges at this time,
md 1t was not considered that any legislation
IN that subject was called for in the absence OF
'uch n demand. The only demand there had
'cen was on the part OF Democratic members
Who did not expect their bills to be taken sc.
lousy. but were bent on making a gallery play
md keeping up the Bryanite warfare on capital.
1t Is safe to say that there will be no legisla.
49, -