New-York tribune., 1900-01-01
FEW LEGISLATORS ON HAND
TIONAL PROOF AT ALBANY OF
BOSS RULE.
ADDITIONAL

Albany Dec. 81 (speciaD.-The transfer of
legislative power to the private offices of political
bosses in New-York was shown as convinc-
ingly tonight as it has been for several years
past. With the Legislature to meet in three
days, only one member of each branch oe the
Legislature, aside from the Albany County
members, was in this city tonight. Fifteen
years ago the hotels of Albany at this time were
crowded with Senators, Assemblymen and other
politicians engaged in conflict over legislative
places.
Tonight, without a caucus, s. Fred Nixon
knows that he is to be Speaker of the Assembly.
His only concern to obtain the support of
the political boss of the period Already most
of the members Of the Assembly have been as
signed to their committee places. AS for the
Democrats, it is also known that Richard Croker
permitted David b. Hill to name J. Franklin
Barnes, of Schuyler County, the Democratic
leader in the Assembly. The Democratic AS
semblymen also will obey orders.
The State Senator's coming to Albany in
a somewhat anxious frame of mind because of
the increasing evidence Of a scrimmage between
governor Roosevelt and Louis f. Payn over
the latter,s office of Superintendent of the In
surdnce Department Both the Governor and
Mr. FaSn have bulldog tenacity when they
engage IN nsht and therefore no Senator
conflict. BY their votes on the Governors candi-
date for Superintendent of the Insurance De-
ward both Governor Roosevelt and Mr.. Payn.
1t is already obvious that the Republican Sen
atorS divided in regard to this office and the
Democrats also are likely not to be united when
they come to voting for d successor to Mr.. Payn.
Senator Platt is stoutly supporting Mr.. Payn
and therefore the latter believes he will main
tain his grip the Insurance Department.
Senator Higgins, of Olean when here few
days ago, stated that he believed the Taxation
Committee, of which he is a member, had done
work of great value for the State. One part OF
their work had been to collect accurate statistics
of the amount of local and of State taxes in
each county of the State, There had hitherto
been no systematic effort to obtain these sta
tistics The tables of statistics regarding the
taxes disclosed remarkable amount of local
taxation. State taxation was small in compari-
son. Doubtless Senator Higgins thinks the
heavy local taxation is one of the causes OF
the depression of agriculture in this State.
The Educational Unihcation Committee has
sent its final report to Governor Roosevelt II
is in substance as previously disclosed. The
majority Of the committee cling to the plan OF
having the first head of the State Depart
ment of Education appointed by the Governor
and the Senate. It is a plan to involve the
schools of the State In its political conflicts. This
innovation will be welcomed by every politician
who is a member of the Legislature. There will
be so much the more patronage at the dis
posal of the political class if such change is
made in the control of the schools.
The election of a Regent of the State Uni
versity in place of the late Father Malone will
be one of the first acts which the Legislature
will be called on to perform.