Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-17
BAKER REJECTED
BY the New York Senate as
Railroad Commissioner.
PIatts' Enemies Join Democrats in
Defeating His Candidate.
EXCITING Scenes, Almost Without Par.
allel, in the Chamber.

Albany, n. Y, April 1G.-Not since
the memorable days of the Conkling-
Platt insurrection has the state SEM t.
been the scene of more bitter pnrrnnal.-
ties or of a more sensational political
battle than that of this morning and
afternoon, when Gov. Odelrs nominal
ton of Railroad Commissioner Frank
NJ Baker to succeed himself was re-
jected by coalition of Senators
Bracket, F.. r. Brown and Elsberg-
the three so-called "tEsurgent Repub-
licans"-with the Democrats. An in
tensely personal conflict was precipi-
tated later between Bracket and Sena-
tor Raines, the Republican President
Pro Tenn. The acrimony of the con-
fiicrs over the LeXow investigation OF
New York police, and over the original
Raines liquor law were surpassed and
a densely packed Senate chamber heard
an analysis Of personal and political
motives and an interchange of recrimi-
nation into which all the bitterness of
long nursed animosity was poured
forth.
1t is not unlikely that the battle will
be renewed, tomorrow, when it is ex-
pected that the judiciary committee
will report the nomination of George
Wilson Morgan, to be superintendent
Of state elections sent in by Gov. Odell,
today. After bitter struggle the
nomination was sent to judiciary in
stead OF the finance committee to which
the Republicans sought to send it.
Mr.. Baker is understood to be Sena-
tor Platts choice. His rejection came
as climax to series of state political
sensations and is considered of the
greatest political significance. The re-
lection was accomplished through the
cooperation Of Senators E. r. Brown,
Elsberg, Brackett and Amber, with the
y Democratic senators. These sena-
tors had opposed the reelection OF
Senator Platt
When the Republican senators Joined
the Democrats, today in voting against
the disappointment of Baker, Senator
Raines rerroached them and virtually
read them out of the4R republican party.
Senator Bracket explained his rea-
son for the course he had taken, say
ing among other things:
Mr. Baker is simply pawn on the
chessboard My action, today, should
not be taken as a reflection on his abiI-
ity or integrity. I am animated by a
higher motive. l vote against this
nomination in protest of the sewage
and filth that is being poured upon the
head of our worthy governor through
the agents of the man who inspired this
nomination. And I vote against this
nomination to emphasize my disap-
prevail OF the actions of the man who
causes the seal of party approval to be
placed on any measure when certain
attorneys are engaged in favor of bills.
And l vote against this with the same
reason as | refused to vote for his re-
election as the senior senator who or
ganiZed this Senate before it had met
and then when it did meet impudent!y
announced his selections and forced
them upon u.s.
Senator Elsberg said when he voted:
Il defy any one to read me out of
my party. l have been notified within
Z minute and half that upon my
vote on this question will depend the
success or defeat of certain legislation
in which l am interested and which
is now in the Assembly. Such threats
do not affect me. 1 quite agree with
everything that my colleague, Senator
Bracket, has said"
Senator Raines in reply said:
II will undertake to strip the cloak
of hypocrisy from the back Of the SEN
ator from the 28th (Brackett) and of
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