New-York tribune., 1902-01-01
NIXON AGAIN THE LEADER
PALMER. HILL DEMOCRAT, WILL LEAD
MINORITY IN ASSEMBLY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNEl
Albany, Dec 31.-A large proportion of the
members Of the legislature arrived In Albany
to-day and were busy making preparations for
the session that will begin Tomorrow In the
evening both Senators and AssemblyneD stroIled
I'D State-st Hill TO the Capitol and attended the
caucauses Of the Republican and the Democratic
AssembIymen. The Republican Assenahlynoen
held their caucus in the Assembly Chamber
The Democratic Assemblymen held their caucus
in the Assembly Parlor. and through their
leader. George NJ. Palmer skipped over recent
leaders OF the Democratic party. not even men,
uoning David z. HILL William J. Bryan, nor
Richard Croker back to Thomas Jefferson. and
sought consolation in defeat by saving that +ba
principles Of Jefferson still guide The Demo-
cratic party Mr. Palmer also evidently thought
that he saw political issue in the Schley con-
troVersy and referred to the matter.
The Republican Assemblymen at their caucus
selected Jean l. Burnett. of Ontario County, as
chairman James T. Rogers, of Broome County
put S. Fred Nixon in nomination for Speaker
He said that the first impulse OF Republicans
upon meeting was TO congratulate each other
upon the success which had attended the State
administration and the legislature under the
guidance Of the Republican party. He thought
that perhaps the best congratulations had come
from the people when they selected a Repubn-
Assembly. He said he would not review
'the glorious work done under the direction of
that matchless executive OF the State. Benjamin
B. Odell, jr.." except to say that part of the
credit Of the success of that State administra-
tion due to the skilfuI hand and good judg-
Ynent OF Speaker Nixon. For twelve years Mr.
Nixon mad been a member Of the Assembly and
three times had been speaker Mr.. Nixon was
an honest honorable man of high ability. and
should again be the Republican choice for
speaker.
John Hill Morgan, Of Kings County seconded
the nomination OF Mr.. Nixon saying that while
It might naturally be thought that a resident
OF New-York City would favor the election of
some New-Yorker as Speaker, still Mr.. Nixon's
merits were obvious, he so capable of
carrying out the policies of the Republican party
in the Assembly, that no other man ought to
be nominated for Speaker. Upon motion of Mr..
Morgan the nomination Of Mr.. Nixon then
made by acclamation.
Assemblyman Knipp. of Chemung County.
nominated Colonel Archie" E. Baxter for Clerk.
and eulogized his untiring services for the Re-
publican party. Colonel Baxter was then nom
mated by acclamation- The lesser officers Of
the Assembly were then selected without fur
theT speeches, and the caucus adjourned.
The Democratic Assemblymen at their caucus
had as spectators most Of the Democratic Sena-
tors. Among them Thomas F. Grady, Of
NewYork. We Senators represent the peo-
pie" said Senator Grady, and therefore did not
need to hold caucus" The Democratic Sena-
tors said that Senator Grady would again be
leader.
David B. Hill seems to have used some magic
in persuading Richard Croker to permit him
child to name the Democratic leader in the AS
senbly, and therefore. without opposition.
George NJ. Palmer, of Schoharie County, one OF
the leading Hill Democrats Of the State, was
chosen the Democratic candidate for Speaker.
Mr. Palmer's speech read as If IL had been
edited by Mr.. Hill. Here Is extract from 1t
which has quite a Hill tinge:
We must keep in mind that represent a
party which demands equal and exact justice
to ali; the correction OF abuses Of public posi-
ton; economy in public expenditures; home
rule for the cities and municipalities OF the
State; open business opportunities for all, and
that these be not destroyed by criminal trusts;
q fair protection to labor as well as to capital
honestly invested; q just and general excise
law safely guarded; just system Of taxation;
freedom Of religion, speech and person; encour-
egement TO education, IN which rests our future
hope. and an arraignment Of all abuses at the
bar Of public Justice.
The Democratic Assemblymen also selected
another rural Democrat, Calvin Huson. OF Yates
County, as their candidate for clerk Mr.. Hill,
through Mr.. Palmer, will thus be able to express
his political sentiments in the Assembly: Mr..
Croker, through Senator Grady, will utter his
sentiments in the Senate.