New-York tribune., 1902-01-22
GOODMAN WON'T LEAD.
EAYS FXANCE CHAIRMANSHIP SHOULD
GO WITH THE PLACE

Alderman Elias Goodman yesterday sent Presi-
fdent Fornes of the Board OF Alderman letter de-
clining TO serve leader OF the body and chair
man of the Railroad Committee. He says that the
leadership should carry with IL the Craftsmanship OF
the Finance Committee, a place, by the way, TO
which Alderman Parsons appointed, and he
prefers not to have the leadership IL he cannot be
chairman OF the Finance COMMITTEES. Alderman
Goodman's action foreshadowed a week ago in
The Tribune. and his letter to President Fornes
was not a surprise He says he win cheerfully
support the fusion administration. Many Republi-
can friends OF the alderman say that his declina-
ton viii destroy whatever chance he may have had
for the Republican nomination in the new xvIIth
District next fall
His resignation Of the leadership is criticised by
many of his friends. who say that it will need
absolutely harmonious action by the fusonists to
prevent the Taulnany men from capturing the
board. In his letter TO Mr. Fornes. the alderman
says in part:
,Sl,d With a. fun II realization @ Of the duty owe to the
ia the humble position of a committeeman on any
committee you may be willing appoint can
but determined to exemplify idelity to the trust
tsRe5 nrson m % s9en @ ~ as 7 VII SET at re rest any mis-
The members representing the fusion element OF
them during the period of legislative existence
fus s"o oferrao AN am not unm1df1 OF the honor
bestowed very highly.
az later period, which right 1 now wish to exer-
c,se: L have felt and still feel that whoever is
selection Of the committee or committees which
and practice-with possibIy an 1 ocassionai az a rsra
exception.-,for the leader Of the majority in Com
cli or Board of Aldermen, TO be the chairman of
the committee on Ways and Means Finance
they being analogous. I intimated my desire to
serve in like capacity.
place Of chairman Of the T Fqne1ce cemm2tee M
o be hGd 6 for % or worthy OF 9ne SHOULD
the Other Being the senior member of the board
member OF the Finance COMMITTEES heretofore feel
oJId snaL woHiq be doing injustiee to myself #
intentional or not TO pass unnoticed; and wish to
ssndsd 6s sRdersfood as believing that no slight was in
Under the eircgmstances not willing to ac-
obligatons of committee chairmanship, it becom-
privileges that should accompany them. To me it
as simply a question of self-respect and will not
soever.
MIR. Goodman President Fornes that he
has the interests Of the fusion administration at
heart, and that he has intention Of casting a
reflection on any one by declining the honors
corded him
President Fornes. when asked about the letter
said:
'T trust the alderman Will not insist on resign
Ing from the Finance Committee: II he does shall
appoint some one IN his place. We understand each
@ dean haTa Goodman hs 9 aea who
Hic@e-President @ James H McInnes said:
Do not think k ta s ne fxe sG or5 Sesh ief S
leadership to- What he should have done was 10
request President Fornes cal a conference OF
the fusion forces, and then Mr.. Goodman could
have stated his reasons for resigning'
President Cantor OF the Borough of Manhattan
spoke about the resignation Of Alderman Good
man leader Of the majority in the following
words:
IN all my legislative experience, the leader of
the majority has always been the chairman of the
Finance Committee. I urged President Fornes, in
making up his committees, to give the chairman
ship Of the Finance Committee TO the leader OF
the majority
should have ess voice i Taalers q hhance the ost G
important OF all public affairs
usual, and may recall his letter TO President
Fornes.
There is conflict the sergeants- s-at-arms
Alderman Willett, OF Queens who has the naming
OF the first place. offered the position to Captain
Dawson, Of Richmond Hill. who. on account Of
Illness, said he did not want II. Mr.. Wilett then
rendered IL TO Theodore P. WilZnock, president Of
inc Eepablican Cup q Richmond Hill, WHO ac-
and said he would take the place Mr.. willett is
trying now TO figure out how TO put two good Re-
publcans in one place at the same time and have
both of them satisfied