New-York tribune., 1900-01-04
LEGISLATURE CONVENES.
DISsENSION AMONG THE MEMBERS OF
BOTH PARTIES
CONTEST OVER EDUCATIONAL UNIFICATION
PROPULSION OF FLOWERS ON
LEADERS DESKS
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

lb1 IELEGRAPH TO THE TRlBUNE.I
Albany, Jan. 3.-The Legislature of 1900 met
to-day, imbued apparently with a placid mind
but there was dissension of spirit in the ranks
of both the Republican and the Democratic
members which will find expression later in
the session. There seems to be quite a strong
revolt among the Democratic Senators against
Richard Croker's rule, and the Republican Sen
ators are divided upon the question of the
tention of Louis F. Payn as Superintendent of
the Insurance Department.
1t would also appear that there is a prospect
of bitter contest over the bill of the Educa-
tional Unification Commission, creating State
department of education with Chancellor ap-
pointed by the Governor and confirmed by
the Senate, at the head of 1t, for the fact was
disclosed to-day that the Democratic Senators
at their caucus last night were unanimously of
the opinion that this bill is political of the
largest dimensions. and they have resolved to
night 1t with all the means in their power. Sen
ator McCarren, speaking about the bill to-day,
said: "The members of Senator Platts machine
are obviously seeking, by passing the Educa-
tonal Unification BILL to gain control of all the
schools in the State, with their patronage Of
S3O,OcO,OO0 annually. Before Senator Platt
passes that bill of the Uniication Commission.
it will surely also be amended to give his
Heutenants power to appoint the school teachers
of New-York and Brooklyn
Senator Plunkitt equally emphatic in
speaking of Democratic opposition to the bill.
L do not see." he said, how any Republican
Senator from New-York, Rochester, Buffalo or,
in fact any city, can vote for a bill which would
put the control of the city schools in the hands
Of some State official at Albany 1t seems to
me that the bill s just as bad in principle as
the State Police bill which was defeated by the
two Rochester Republican Senators last year"
tad
the surface, and plenty of flowers on the desks
of Senators and Assemblymen gave a look of
peace when the Legislature was called to order
at noon. The handsomest floral Offering was a
triumphal arch OF flowers. which spanned the
high desk of Lieutenant Governor Woodruff in
the Senate Projecting from bed of roses there
were two American flags of red, white and blue
immorteles while spanning the space between
the tops of the fagstaffs was an arch with the
word Excelsior" in red, white and blue. Be
meath the arch were Lieutenant Governor
WOodruff's initials in the same coOrs. 1t was
probably the most elaborate flower piece that
was ever displayed in the Senate Chamber.
Lieutenant Governor Woodruff stated that the
and other friends in the XIth and XIIth AS
sembly districts of Brooklyn Some sug-
gested that the flags might well have been
marked ''V. p which could be read, IL any
chose, into some allusion to the Vice-Presi-
dency.
There were also flowers upon the desks of
Senators Ellsworth, Feeter, Douglas Grady and
Plunkitt
In the Assembly there was a handsome bank
of flowers upon the desk of Speaker Nixon. An
Immense horseshoe of beautiful flowers rested
upon the desk of Assemblyman Perez NJ. Stew
art, of New York-the only Reform Democrat
in the Assembly Mr. Nixon was, of course, re-
elected Speaker, receiving JZ votes cast by Re-
publicans, to 81 Democratic votes, given for
J. Franklin Barnes the Democratic leader. Both
Speaker Nixon and Lieutenant Governor Wood
ruff made speeches upon assuming the chair
Cor the Governors Message, see page 81