New-York tribune., 1900-03-27
REFORM BILLS HELD BACK.
LITTLE HOPE FOR THE LEWIS MEAS
URE-REPUBLICANs AID TAMMANY.

Albany, March 26 (Spec!aI.-The three reform
bills now before the Legislature have not at all
prof1ted by the session Of last week. and their
future is dubious 1t is the opinion of many
that these measures will either be killed outright
or be amended that their efficiency will be
destroyed. These bills the -prizeight-
ing bill. the bill to prevent policy playing and
the one to close UP the poolrooms by prohibiting
the use OF telegraphic apparatus in the estab-
iishments.
The amending Of the anti-policy bill last FRI
day at the hands Of the Senate discloses the
fact that the enemies Of reform have gained
working majority in the upper house This
consists OF the entire Tammany delegation,
with the possible exception Of Senators Donnel
ly and Featherson, and five more Republi-
cans. The combination Of these forces is only
another sign. therefore. of tacit and well rec
ognzed understanding between the Croker and
the Platt machines.
The anti-policy bill is now on the order OF
third reading in the Senate. but so amended
that its trainers say 1t is worthless. The at
tempt of Senator Brown to amend 1t further
as to make the possession of policy slips prima
facie evidence of guilt, lost. and all because
Senators Malby, G. A Davis, Wilcox and Willis
went over to Tammany. What will be the fur
ther destiny of the BILL therefore. is hard to
predict.
The Lewis bill for the repeal OF the Horton
prizefghting law advanced to third reading
in the Senate Thursday last without objec-
ton 1t was thus apparent that the opposition,
led by Tim Sullivan, waiting until the
bill came up on final passage. 1t is feared that
the same forces which rallied TO defeat the
anti-policy bill by disastrous amendment will be
found arrayed against the Lewis bill when the
time comes. With the possible exception of SEN
Graney, of Westchester, the Democrats
Will number twenty-five, and will not stop short
of the bills defeat. The Republicans who helped
Tammany to destroy the anti-policy bill may be
found ready to assist in destroying the Lewis
another Senator Coggeshall, who would amend
the Lewis bill so that its provisions will not go
into effect until February l, 1901. Senator
Coggeshal was determined TO have his
amendment adopted by the Republican caucus
that it's refusal to accept the amendment made
him refuse to stand with his party in support of
the bill. Senators Wilcox and Willis have voted
and their attitude respecting the bill exctes the
suspicion that they will be found on the side Of
Tammany again. Thus Senator Grady may de-
pend on twenty-five Senators to stand by him,
and in this the bill will fail to pass,
The bill to close up poolrooms was introduced
in the Assembly by Mr.. Sanders, of New York.
Although the bill was reported out OF committee
ing the Assembly calendar Most of the de-
lay seems to be caused by Mr.. Sanders himself
Several times opposition was shown to his bill,
whereupon he asked to have Ii laid aside with
out any show of resistance. On Tuesday last he
again asked that the bill be laid over, that 1t
might be called up the following day, but 1t
was not brought up.