New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-04
THREATS FROM DEMOCRATS.
THEY DEMAND MORE COMMITTEE
PLACES IN THE ASSEMBLY.
MR. DONNELLY SAYS THE MINORITY WILL MAKE
TROUBLE If THEY DO NOT HAVE FIVE MEN
BEERS ON COMMITTEES OF THIRTEEN
FROM O'GRADY.

"A PARTIAL CONCESSION
FROM o'GRADY
Albany. Jan 3.-The legislative skrmish opens
with the announcement that the Democratic MI
nority will insist larger representation on the
Assembly committees than accorded them last
year The Democratic leaders gay tho matter has
been considered carefully. and that they will push
their claims with all the vigor OF which they are
capable Notice Of this intention has already been
served Speaker OGrady by Thomas r. Don
nelly the Democratic leader OF the House. who
has had frequent consultations with Senator Can
tor the Democratic leader In the Senate.
After conference with the Republican leaders
Mr. O'Crndy has informed Mr. Donnely that
increase OF viii re granted. but not two or
three as demanded. At the last session Speaker
OGrady. IN making up his committees, gave the
Democrats three out OF the thirteen members on
the larger committees. and the same number on
tfose composed Of eleven and nine respectively.
The understanding that he proposes 70 grant one
extra member this winter while being some con-
cession, may still be insufficient TO aver, trouble
should he persist in II. Speaker OGrady is under
stood TO rely on the action Of his Democratic
predecessors. Speakers Sheehan. Bush and SuIzer.
for precedents, but the Democrats hold that the
conditions now existing are altogether different
and do not warrant such unequal division In
the committee membership.
Assemblyman Donnelly speaking on the subject
to-day. said: There Is such precedent as has
been cited by the Republicans. When the minority
representation on committees was reduced there
was not nearly close a House as there is now.
Under Speaker Sulzer there few Rcpub-
lican Assemblymen that there were not enough 10
go around on all the committees. That was the
reason the Republican representation was made
smaller, and II a very good one, any one
can see. Now the Democrats have nearly many
members as the Republicans. and we claim that
we have right to at least 1--WE memte rs on com
mittees with a membership OF thirteen, and pro-
portionae Increase In our representation on the
smaller ones. As far the assignments made by
Speaker Shcehan concerned, | only say
that ne had no demand made him by Repub
leans for additional committee places and yet
his apportionment fair II any claim had been
made he would have given e fair consideration
We do not feel now that we are asking anything
but our rights. and shall insist on having the
division on the committees fair 20 the Democratic
party. We are Justly entitled to the Increase. and
We expect to get IT,
"If We find wien the committees are announced
that the Democratic party IS not represented on
committees OF thirteen by at least Ave members
and that the Speaker has not Needed our Request,
We VIII make as serious objection as a large Dem
ocratic minority can make with the aid of n num-
Der Of faiI-m minded Republicans"
The views Of Senator Canior are similar to those
cratic leader In the Assembly all the aid | can
larger committee representation for the minority
and he ought TO get what he has asked. IL IS
prepOsterOus for the Republican leaders in the As
semby 10 argue that the Democrats with their
large representation are not entitled TO least
five members committees OF thirteen. Person
ally | would make demand for more. In
the Senate where the Democrats have but four
teen Of the fifty members. they much more
fairly treated than the Democratic Assembyrnen
have been in the makeup OF the committees"
The records show that under Speaker sheehan
the largest OF the Assembly Committees hal a
membership OF eleven, made UP of Demo
Gratis and four Republicans. on the smaller COM
mittees the Den ocrats had six and the Republ-
cans three members. Speaker Bush adhered 70 this
apportionment and Speaker Sulzer reduced the
minority representation for what he cOntended at
the time was a sufficient
II is rumored that Speaker O'Grady Ia consider
ing request to give the Democrats additional
representation on the Committee Rules. lie
may put Assembyman Finn. ~ NewYork. this
committee well the Democratic leader Mr.
Donney. although usually only the minority leader
seciires this coveted Mace