New-York tribune., 1901-02-24
BEHIND THE SCENES IN LEGISLATIVE LIFE,
ALBANY POSSESSES A HUMBLE
But TNFLUENTIAL HOUSE OF
LORDS" AND ALSO 4
HOUSE OF COMMONS."

Albany, Feb. % CspeciaD.-The Legislature in the
three years has amused itself by label
ling two dwelling houses in this city. occupied by
Senators and Assemblymen, respectively: The
House OF Lords" and The House Of Commons %
the former being occupied by Senators and the
latter by Assembymen The dwelling houses have
been frequently changed but the little group OF
men inhabiting them has held together. and has
exercised great power in legislation. taking the
position in many ways Of 'he steering commit
tees" Of Congress. The present year the House
of Lords" Is a big dwelling house in Elk-st, and
usually in the evening finds enjoying a mo-
ment or rest there before cosey coal CRATE fire.
senator Ellsworth. the President pro TEN. Of the
senate; Senator Higgins, the chairman of the SEN
ate Finance Committee; Senator Stranahan, the
chairman Of the Senate Committee on Cities; SEN
stor Krum. the chairman OF the Senate Committee
on Taxation and Retrenchment and Senator Hum
pnrey. the chairman OF the Committee Banks.
II viii he perceived from the enumeration Of the
places held by these members OF the Senate that
nearly all OF the important measures 10 be con-
sdered by that body he debated informally the
night before they up for action before the
Senate al the House of Lords" and certain de-
csions he reached which may have a material
effect on the vote taken in the Senate.
ELLSWORTH HAD TO YIELD.
Sometimes the close association OF the Senators
az the House OF Lords" has it's embarrassing
features. For instance last week Senator Ellsworth
moved that Assembly resolution asking the
check the sale Of oleomargarine be tabled. All the
farmers in the State practically desire the Grout
hin passed and therefore the rural Republicans
who live on such friendly terms with Senator
Ellsworth at the House % Lords did not venture 20
support his motion; and IL beaten by the big
vote of 81 20 8, Senators Higgins. Humphrey and
Krum being with the majority. An element of
humor was then supplied 20 the situation by Sen
ator Ellsworth saying: with the understanding
that ~ were Congressman should support the
hin mentioned in this resolution, I will for
a." The resolution therefore was passed with
the hitherto unhending Ellsworth recorded for H.
The House of Commons" which Is a large
double house ~ broWnstone al Washington-ave.
and Swan-st. has as its occupants Speaker Nixon
of the Assembly James G. Graham. the Governors
private secretary: Jotham p Aids. chairman OF the
Assembly Committee Ways and Means; Otto
Kelsey chairman Of the Assembly Committee on
Cities: Assembyman Morgan. the author OF the bill
repeal the extensive rights granted 10 the Ram
apo Water Company in 1895; Assemhlyman Sey-
naeur OF NeN-York and Assemblyman Fancher. Of
Cattaraugus County. II will he noted that Speaker
Nixon has constant association with Mr.. Aids
and Mr.. Kelsey his chief heutenants on the floor
az the Assembly. and that Mr., Graham, II can he
suspected is able hiring 70 the Speaker informa-
tion At the latest moment about Governor Odelrs
designs.
Speaker Nixon and Mr. Kelsey on Sunday night
last were reading the Sunday newspapers when
the latter suddenly looked up ana SAID 10 the
Speaker: Pred. do YOU know that Joe Aids was
once a Sunday school teacher" Must have been
= long time ago" said the Speaker, with a laugh.
II need not be inferred from this that Mr.. Aids is
not entirely competent 20 sunday school
teacher now bu; Il is the habit OF the members of
the Legislature 20 get In digs at one another under
sll circumstances.
senator Grady. the Democratic leader in the Sen
ate. has hired a small house in State-st.. near the
Capitol and here il is that the Tammany Han
leaders from New-York when they de-
srous of having something done Of a non-partisan
mature: for the Republican leaders very watch
ful Senator Grady's recommendation about bills
touching New-Yorss charter. The Democratic
leadership, however is not limited 20 Senator
Grady. for Senator McCarren, Of Kings County, the
former chairman Of the Executive Committee of
the Democratic State Committee, seems 10 speak
the sentiments Of the Democratic party many
matters Senator McCarren lives at the Ten Eyck
Hotel. and there has chance of having a chat
with Daniel d. Frishie OF Schoharie County. the
Democratic leader in the Assembly. Lately. Also
the New-Gork City Democrats have developed a
new leader in the person Of John J. Fitzgerald.