New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-28
Runaway FROM FORD BILL
SHAMEFUL CONDUCT OF THE ASSEMBLY
LEADERS.
FORCED AND PRoDDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THEY TOOK REFUGE IN ADJOURNMENT
DEMOCRATS IN THE PLOT.

DEMOCRATS IN
Icy TELEGRAPH To THE rRiBUNE.l
Albany, April 27.-There was an extraordinary
scene in the Assembly tonight. when the lead
ers both OF the majority and the minority ran
away from the Ford Franchise Tax bin and
abruntJv adjourned the House from a seeming
fear that II would pass the measure Governor
Roosevelt had managed to force the bill out OF
the hands of Speaker Nixon, Otto Kelsey
Lothian p Aids Marvin l. Greenwood George
NJ Palmer and George T. Kelly. the members
of the Committee on Rules. who had helo II
for a week and had got it before the Assembly,
When the bill was thus abruptly brought peiore
the Assembly, and Mr.. Rodenbeck, or Roches-
fer moved 10 substitute 1t for his own IRAN
chise tax measure. motion TO ADJOURN was
promptly made by Mr.. Aids, the Republican
leader and Mr.. Palmer. the Democratic ieader'
offered no resistance.
The adjournment Of the Assembly certainty
nut the bill in danger of defeat at the nands
~ agents of corporations. AS the session OF the
Yeotsleture will end at noon tomorrow, nhous-
terine tactics may be employed successfully
Yet the Governor remains TO be CONSIDERED.
He has shown keen interest In the la'e Oh
Senator Ford's bill. and may adopt e&traoroi-
vary means TO bring It to vote in the Assem-
bly, before noon tomorrow
AN oyERPowERING PETITION.
The measure has been the leading topic OF
-.x...u.a.,o, among the members of the Legis-
,eture to-day. Early this morning Assembly
men Edward II. Fallows. Gherardi DAVIS ana
Samuel S Slater signed their names 10 pe'i-
,ton addressed to the Committee on Rules asking
A. TO report the bill. Before the noon hour was
reached 112 names were this paper. or twelve
more than enough to take the measure iorclDy
ont of the hands of the committee.
George nj. Palmer. the Democratic ieaoer'
signed the paper. but, discovering that 1t con
tanned such a large proportion OF the names Oh
the members. he suddenly moved that the Com
mittee on Rules should be discharged from 'he
turther consideration of the bill. Mr.. Aids re-
minded Mr. Palmer that he had made an agree
nept not TO press the matter Mr.. Palmer re-
nlied that he had promised not TO press the
Rodenbeck bill but this did not apply to the
Ford bill. However he would not insist on his
motion then but would let 1t lie over till later
in the day He thus failed to exhibit any de-
termination TO fight for the Ford measure.
Governor Roosevelt little later sent for
Speaker Nixon and Assembymen Aids and KEEL
sey and urged them as members OF the Commit
tee on Rules TO surrender the Ford bill After
considerable urging they consented to do so II
the Governor would assume the party respon-
sibility The Governor said he was willing 10
do So and in a short time the bill was reported.
The Assembly would have acted on 1t at once
but George T. Kelly. Democrat. of Albany, OBJ
1ected. and so it was tabled under the rules.
The Governor at 3 p. m. learned from Sena-
tor Ford and Assemblyman Slater what had
happened and he at once had an emergency
message prepared and sent it to Speaker Nixon
At5:1O O'Clock the Speaker received this emer-
g.ncy message and was thus fully equipped to
push forward the. bill but no preparations for
decisive action followed. on the contrary, the
Democrats were permitted to talk for two hours
upon the bill giving John McCulagh, the super
intendent OF Elections. 100 additional deputies
Ordinarily only half an hours discussion OF
bill would have been permitted. 1t seemed as
if some one had arranged with the Democrats
that they should prevent the consideration OF
the Ford bill.
THE CoNsPIRATOfs' AGREEMENT.
Finally. the McCullagh bill was set aside but
with an agreement between Speaker Nixon ana
Mr. Palmer that measure which should cause
extended debate should be considered before to-
morrow This agreement of itself shut out the
consideration Of the Ford bill.
The Assembly was thus running along smooth
" with the Ford bill In coffin. when the bill
of Assemblyman Rodenbeck taxing franchises
WAS reached on the calendar. Mr.. Rodenbeck
dismayed the leaders on both sides by saying;
81 move that Senator Ford's bill be substituted
for my bill
Objection was made to this substitution by
three Democrats-Kely. of Albany. and schmid
and McKeown. Of Kings. Joseph l. Green. Demo-
crat of New York heartily supported Mr.. Rod
enbeck's motion. He said:
DELAYS in a matter Of this kind Mr.. Speaker.
are exceedingly dangerous. feel that the ma
jority of members OF the House both Demo
Gratis and Republicans. are DESTROYS or passing
the Ford bill and that the Governor OF THIS
State at the present moment desires TO sign 1t.
Mr.. Speaker. this bill has been on our desks for
months. and we all know what 1t does. we
know it puts tax upon railroad and other
franchises and we know that the railroads ana
other companies are opposed to its passage 1t
is dangerous 10 wait until tomorrow. Pass the
bill before daylight GENES again. / hope the
gentleman from Monroe (Mr. Rodenbeck) will
not give way on this question.
sCHEMERs LOSE THEIR HEADS.
Mr. Green's speech had tremendous effect.
and Mr. Aids and Mr.. Palmer did not know
what to do. Julius Hamburger then contributed
10 the excitement by making fiery speech. He
said:
II is remarkable Mr. Speaker, that one Of my
own party should tell me to keep still, because
7 believe that those who want me 10 keep still
are corrupt and openly say SO Yes. / claim
that you are corrupt or you would not want
me to keep still, In the interest OF the people
Of the whole State This bill should be passed.
/ echo the sentiment OF the pure and honest
Republicans apd Democrats who favor with the
Governor the Ford Franchise Tax bill Let it
go forth that this is an honest Legislature. Let
no lobbyist. no man tainted with corruption dare
10 stare us in the face when the representatives
Of the people force the issue in favor OF honest
remedial legislation. Now IS the time: Let us
vote. Let US show that the corporations and
trusts and their magnates do not control us.
Mr.. Aids by this time had partly collected
his thoughts and moved cell OF the Assembly.
While this call was proceeding Speaker Nixon
came hurriedly into the Assembly Chamber and
held an informal conference with Mr.. Aids and
Mr.. Kelsey at the Speakers desk At its con-
cusion there were various versions OF what
policy had been decided upon. but 1t was quickly
annarent that Mr.. Nixon had decided 10 adjourn