New-York tribune., 1899-02-17
KICKERS IN THE SENATE.
INTERESTING CONFERENCE OF REPUB-
LICANS AT ALBANY.
MALBY FORD AND COGGESHALL AGAINST
THE POLICE BILL no DECISION
REACHED-CAUCUsEs AHEAD.

MALBY FORD AND COGGESbALL A'Ai''"i
THE POLICE BILL-No DECISION
REACHED-CAUCUsE,s AHEAD.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRTBrNE.l
Albany Feb. 16-Before the Legislature met
this year It was apparent to the leaders or the
Republican party that, owing to the small Re-
publican majority in the Senate. the easy con-
lrmation OF party decisions would no longer be
possible as It had been for three years with a
majority Of twenty-five votes Now the Repub-
lcan majority is only four and there IS only
vote to spare when II becomes necessary 10
pass bill. There are only twenty-seven Re-
publicans I'm the Senate and the Constitution
requires twenty-six votes TO pass measure.
The feeling that it had become somewhat
risky to attempt 10 pass political bills in the
Senate was the cause Of an important confer
ence OF the Republican Senators held this after
noon. For two weeks it has been obvious that
such a conference must be held. Important
measures such those reforming the Civil Ser
vice laws and the Police Department Of New
York city were being held back ny Senator
Ellsworth. the Republican leader, probably be-
cause he did not think IT prudent to press them.
Only bills Of slight importance appeared on the
calendar The Legislature seemed in state Of
deadlock
MAIBN'S INTERVIEW.
Finally. there appeared this morning an inter-
view with Senator George r. Nalby Of St. Law
renee County a Republican, in which he said he
was opposed TO the proposition I'm the Police De-
partment bill 10 give the Governor power 10 re-
move the Police Commissioner with or without
notice or trial. This interview probably brought
the uneasiness OF the Republican leaders TO
focus. Senator Malby it was noticeable. had
stated the chief argument against the bill put
forward by Senator Grady, the spokesman Of
Tammany Hall. 1t considered highly OPP
perfume to call n conference Immediately. SEN
ator Malby had said that the Republican party
could force him into a caucus and force him
thus to support the Police bill Possibly II
would be we'll 10 accommodate him and rescue
him from acting with the Tammany Hall Sen
ators.
1t was also said that Senator's Coggeshall and
Ford were not favorably inclined to the Police
bill. taking tho same view as Senator Malby,
that the Governor ought not to be permitted 70
remove summarily the single Police Commits
sioner provided for IN the measure introduced
by Senator Raines. 1t may be stated here that
the reason authority was given in the Police
bill to remove the Police Commissioner with or
without notice was that the Republicans re-
membored the previous long trials OF Police
Commissioners by Mayors who were endeavorng
10 remove them, the delays invented by coun-
sci. the appeals to the courts and numberess
barriers 10 speedy action
Tammany's reason for resistance to this feat
ure Of the bill is clear and it amuses Republi-
can members Of the Legislature to hear the
Tammany Senators and Assemblymen say SOL
emnly that they have not the slightest objec-
tion to Mayor Van Wyck having conferred upon
efy ole Dol ica ~
missioner TO control the Police Department. only
the Republicans must give up the idea that the
Governor should have authority 10 remove
Police Commissioner II he should msbehave
himself
The conference Of the Republican Senators
this afternoon was attended by all of them
except Senator Sherwood, who was absent from
the city The chiee subject OF consideration
was the Police bill. Senator Ellsworth brought
It up for consideration, and asked the opinion
OF his fellow Republican Senator's concerning
IT, Senators Ford and Malby are reported TO
have expressed a strong feeling OF opposition 10
the measure II was pointed out by the other
Republican Senators that Governor Roosevelt
had plainly indicated on Tuesday that the Gov
ernor Of the State was only TO exercise MS
power Of removing the Police Commissioner II
ne interfered with elections. There was thus
only brief period Of the year when the power
of removing the Police Commissioner Woulu ne
exercised.
once for if a Police Commissioner was interfer-
ing with elections there was no time to give
him a trial.
No decision W IS reached however. as TO the
Police bill and John Raines said, grimly. when
ne came out of the conference room that "a
good many caucuses" would be needed this ses-
sion.
CIVIL SERVICE BILL MENACED, TOO
The bill reforming the civil Service putting
back the starch which Governor Black removed
from #. was also considered. There was some
opposition TO certain features Of this bill. and
possibly a caucus viii have to be held on il.
Another matter considered was the large num-
her Of appropriation bills which have been in
troduced senator Higgins. chairman OF the
Finance Committee. said that unless great care
was taken there would be a largely increased
state tax rate This would never do The Re-
pubcau party had pledged itself 10 a policy 90
economy. and the people would hold II to It's
pledge
II is obvious that the conference dealt with
important subjects and is likely to lead 10 in
teresting action by the Republican leaders
Governor Roosevelt will depart for New-York
tomorrow morning and there will consult with
Republican leaders about the condition Of AFFAIRS
at Albany.
Some Republican Senators have seemed In
clined 10 try 10 keep in office Isaac g. Perry the
Democratic State Architect and not vote to con-
firm George l.. Helms. Republican. who has been
named for the place. \ test VIII be made Of
their attitude on the matter on Tuesday next
when the senate Finance Committee will re-
port the nomination favoraby.
ROOSEVELT COuING TO TOWN.