New-York tribune., 1901-04-19
BOLT CAUSES SENSATION
REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLYMEN STAY.
AWAY FROM CAUCUS ON
LIQUOR BILL
MADE a PARTY MEASURE AND VOTES
PLEDGED ASSURE PASSAGE-EvEN SPLIT
ON MORTGAGE TAX ACT.

PLEDGED ASSURE PAssAGE-EvEN SPLIT
ON MORTGAGE TAX ACT.
Gsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIRuSEl
Albany April 1S.-A Republican bolt Of
large dimensions was the sensation in Albany
tonight. about eighteen or twenty Republicans
of the Assembly neglecting to attend a caucus
on Senator Stranahans bill for the prosecution
of liquor dealers. This bill was passed by the
Senate few days ago. but when a test vote was
taken on 1t yesterday only sixty-six Republicans
voted for it. and therefore ten more votes are
needed to pass it. Speaker Nixon gave formal
notice of the caucus to-day, and of it's object
and therefore the neglect of the Republican AS
semblymen who did not attend the caucus in
most cases was obviously intentional. The ab-
sent either congregated at the Ten Eyck Hotel
or went to the theatres
Every Republican Assemblyman from Erie
| CONTEMPLATION, Cook, Schneider. Ruehl. Brooks
ana . Malley-remained away from the Capitol
| where the caucus held There gathered at
! the Hotel Ten EyCk the following Republican
Assemblymen: DR.. Henry. OF New York Bryan.
OF jefferson; Warath. of Montgomery; Marson.
| of Oneida: Mains, OF Westchester: Blackwell. of
| Kings; Mcmillan of Schenectady Bennett and
| Adler, of New-York; Thorne of Ulster, and Nc
| Quade, of Oneida.
The caucus held in the Assembly parlor
and, while Speaker Nixon was present Merton
f. Lewis, of Monroe acted chairman. Among
those present who voted to amend the bill yes
terday and therefore showed opposition to it,
We're Gherard Davis Of New York; Cooley, of
Westchester; Vacheron, of Queens; Cadin and
Traub, OF Onondaga. After Mr.. Cooley had
listened to speeches the Stranahan bill for
some time he withdrew from the caucus. and
therefore is not committed to the support of
he
decide necessary TO take upon the measure.
MADE A PARTY MEASURE.
When the caucus had been called 10 order Mr..
Knipp, Of Chemung County, the chairman Of
the Excise Committee. explained the bill Of
Senator Stranahan. He said that az present ap
plication for the cancellation Of the certificate
of liquor dealer is referred by a court to
referee for consideration. The law. Mr.. Knipp
said does not permit referee to pass upon the
relevancy or competence of evidence but he
must simply report back TO the court. The
suit of this arrangement is that the lawyer of
the accused liquor dealer introduces large
amount OF Irrelevant evidence and the proceed
ing is prolonged that II frequently happens
that the life Of certificate expires before the
litigation is ended; and thus the liquor dealer
is permitted to prosecute his trade no matter
how serious the complaint against him. The
Stranahan bill provides that where positive
proof is presented TO the court by the State Ex-
else Commissioner citizen Of the violation
of the excise laws by liquor dealer his store
must be closed until the referee makes his
port. The object Of the amendment is force
the liquor dealer To a speedy presentation OF his
evidence and the exclusion Of irrelevant testi-
mony by him.
Speaker Nixon read a brief in favor Of the bill
ard made comments on il. The bill then
attacked by Mr. RodenbeCk and Mr. Salyards,
of Monroe County. and by s. W. Smith. of CO.
lumbia County. their argument being that the
bill was too extreme.
After two hours discussion Of the bill II
was made party measure by a vote of a to T.
The four members who voted against making
1t party measure were Assemblymen Cadin
and Traub, OF Onondaga County. and Doughty
and NaCheron, of Queens County. They how
ever, are bound 10y the action Of the caucus.
The bill thus has - votes. or two more votes
than necessary to pass II. However As
serblymen Ellis of Genesee County: Oegraw
Of Kings County. and Bennet. of New-York.
are reported to have sent word that they would
abide by the action Of the caucus. This would
give the bill 81 votes.
EVENLY DIVIDED ON MORTGAGE TAN
The members of the caucus then turned their
attention to the Stranahan Mortgage Tax act.
It was reported thai the Mortgage Tax bill
would probably be pasesd by the Senate to-
morrow. The bill was debated for hour. AS
semblyman Stevens. OF Franklin County. at
tackled it. and speech in support OF il was
made by Mr.. Aids Finally vote was taken
on it, not to make II party measure. but 10
learn the sentiments of those present regarding
ii. There seventy-eght Assemblymen
present, and Of these fully one-h half said
have expressed opposition to the bill. This
is not binding upon any one. If thirty-nine Re
publican Assemblymen have expressed opposi
tion the bill. il will be difficult for its sup
porters to pass II. Assemblyman Aids. the Re
publican leader, frankly acknowledged on leav-
ing the caucus room that the Republican As
sembymen seemed he about evenly divided
upon the measure There 1Oi Republican
Assembymcn. With only ffty-two Republi-
voting for the Mortgage Tax bill. il would
require the votes also of twenty-four Democrats
to pass it,
ID L III pr, IA