New-York tribune., 1901-01-02
CAUCUSES WE'RE UNEVENTFUL.
! LIVELY CONTEST FOR SENATE SER
GEANT-AT-ARMs THE ONLY EN-
LIVENING INCIDENT.

Albany jan / (Special).-The legislative eau
euses tonight were in some respects interest
ing Otto Kelsey said, after that OF the Assem-
bly, Republicans had adjourned. that II was
spontaneously unanimous" All the Candidates
for offices that were on the organization Slate
were accepted without murmur. Tnere was
no contest over anything. Mr.. Kelsey nomlnat-
ed S. Fred Nixon for Speaker. and said that
big majority like that which the Republican
party possessed in the Assembly was far harder
10 handle that a smaller one. and that therefore
a strong and experiel, ID man like Mr. Nixon
was needed for the post of Speaker Mr.. Nixon
was then nominated by unanimous vote Colo
mel Archie z. Baxter of Elnira, also received
the compliment OF a unanimous nomination
The lesser officers Of the Assembly were then
selected without any contest.
The Senate Republicans for three days have
been amusing themselves with an alleged con-
test over the office o! Sergeant-at-Arms. 1t
seemed at times as though the contest had been
created principally to fill with alarm William
Barnes, jr.. of Albany. the chairman of the Ex-
eeutive Committee Of the Republican State Com
naittee Mr.. Barnes opposed the selection OF
Csarret A. Benson, OF this city, for Sergeant-at-
Arms on the ground that he had been oolter
from the regular party organization here, and
put forward John r. Hotaling. a candidate Of
his own. Senator McEwan, OF Albany, made
fiery speech at the caucus tonight in opposition
TO Mr.. Bensons selection. arguing that no local
candidate opposed by a local organization should
be selected for post in the Senate. The argu-
ments Of Senator McEwan prevailed. and, by
vote of IS 70 Z, Mr.. Hotaling was selected as the
candidate for Sergeant-at-Arms. Senator Els
worth was selected by the Senate Republicans
as their candidate for President pro tenn, and
James s. Whipple. of Salamanca. as their can
didate for Clerk of the Senate. There was no
contest over these offices, nor over the minor
ores of the Senate.
The Democrats agreed to-day upon the pro-
gramme of giving Tammany Hall the leadership
in the Senate and the rural Democrats that OF
the Assembly. 1t is probable that these orders
were brought here by Thomas F. Smith, the pri-
vate secretary of Richard Croker Mr. Smith at
tended the caucus Of the Assembly Democrats
and acquiesced in the policy of selecting Daniel
s. Frisbie, OF Schoharie County as the Demo-
cratic candidate for Speaker. Mr.. Frisbie also
is David B. Hills choice for leader Of the Demo-
Gratis in the Assembly. Mr.. Frisbie, after he had
been named as the Democratic candidate for
Speaker. delivered a speech denouncing the Re
publican State administration, and contrasting it
unfavorably with that of Governors Hill and
Flower. Here is brief extract from his ad-
dress:
We may appeal with pride and confidence to
the record Of Democratic control Of State affairs.
During the administrations of Governors Hill
and Flower, covering period of six years, from
1889 TO 1894. inclusive, the average expenses OF
the State were S14 416262 9S. The Republicans
have been in control of the State for an equal
period-namely, from 1895 70 1900. inclusive, and
the record shows an average annual expenditure
of S23. .121 .946 So This vast increase. about so
per cent, cannot be accounted for by the natural
increase incident 10 the growth Of the State 1t
is the result OF lavish expenditures in every de-
partnent of the government. occasioned by the
appointment Of useless commissions, special at
torneys and the creation o. offices for political
favorjtes.