The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-07

Organization at Albany
1t IL curious to observe the claims for
distinction In legislative matters nova
days. Take, for instance, the Excise bill,
which calls for an increase Of 80 per cent.
on the tax on licenses. Gov. Odell and his
friends claim the credit Of that legislation
and 1t Ia inferentially added that they APP
pear to be quite willing TO accept any dis
credit for II. This bin was prepared long
before election day last fall by the Hon.
Patrick w. clllinan, State Commissioners OF
Excise. Nothing was said about II at the
time. a. 1t might have involved conse-
quenoes on election day when Gov. Odell
was up for reelection. When the bill was
first presented to Senator Plat, he op-
posed II. Mr.. Cullinan then had talks
with Col. George w. Dunn, chairman Of
the Republican State Committee, and Col.
Dunn attempted TO win Senator. Plat
over to the bill. Col. Dunn said that
at tho time that this bill would 20
q long way toward Satisfying Gov.
Odell in his hobby Of celebrating q di-
rect State tax. Finally, Col. Dunn
won Senator Plat over to his way Of think
ing, and 1t may be said without additional
comment that Mr.. Cullinan OF Oswego.
Foghorn Cullinan, as he IL affeottonateiy
called. had also q satisfactory talk with
Senator Plat, and 1t was then announced
In The Sun on Feb. % that this bill would.
without doubt, become q law.
Gov. Odell had no knowledge whatever
Of this proposed bill, and when Its nature
was printed in THE SUN he promptly author
lied an Official denial at Albany that any
such bill would become q law or that any
such bill had been contemplated. Two
weeks later he summoned q conference OF
Republican Senators at Albany and advo-
Gated the 80 per cent. increase In the License
Tax law. 1t was known then. and has been
known ever dnoe, that Gov. Odell was COM
PEELED to agree TO this bill a. the easiest
way out OF . humiiating defeat for his
Mortgage Tax bill. These arc the facts
In the case and they have not been dis
puted by Republicans familiar with the
situation.
Concerning the Mortgage Tax bill. which
was the outcome Of hourly and daily aoa-
demic discussions between the Governor
and lothian Pettigreen Aids OF Norwich,
Chenango county. It has been known from
the start that while Senator Plat and his
friends did not care TO get into ruction
with the Governor II 1t could DO avoided,
there was, nevertheless, the decision that
II the Governor and Deacon Aids per-
sisted In their Mortgage Tax bill Senator
Plat and his friends would throw down
the gage Of battle and the Governor would
meet with humikating defeat.
Now as to the future. Mayor Low u to
be renominated, and. In the estimation
Of Republicans and Democrats. and al
classes Of citizens, the Mayor 10 not to be
so easily defeated for reelection a. some
Of the Wigwam folks seem inclined to think.
The argument In favor Of the Mayors
reelection is that New York city ID q great
metropolitan city. that there is plenty Of
grog and grub and all other accessories
and Injuries Of life at al hours OF the day
and night, that the town b quite a. Wide
open to all intents and purposes - even
the most Hberal-minded Tammany man
could suggest, and 20 II Ia the opinion that
Leader Charles F. Murphy will have to mind
his Fps and qs' IL he 10 to defeat the fusion
forces next fall.
Now. also. a. to the future, concerning
the State situation. The friends Of the
Hon Hamilton Fish. the newly appointed
Assistant Treasurer Of the United States,
have said that he would Be nne candidate
for the Repubk can nomination for Gov
ernor next year. On the other hand. very
strong Republicans insist that ex-Gov.
Frank 8. Black Of Troy shall be the candi-
date for 0overnor next year. All along 1t
has been believed that Mr. Black would be .
formidable candidate for United States
Senator to succeed the Hon. CAauncey NJ
Depew. March 4, 1905. The argument IL
this: II Mr.. Black IL nominated for Governor
next year and elected. he would Be out OF
Mr.. Depews way - a candidate for United
States Senator In 1906 and. as . Republican
put It last night, 'Chaunoey will live for
ever. and ought TO live forever. and, my!
what an ornament he Ii to the State Of New
York in Washington!'
Political events In the State are develop
ing rapidly. Odell was turned down in
1893 for Governor for Black Black was
turned down in 1893 for Governor for Roose-
welt; and now 1t is tn, sturdy proposition
Of some Of the most influential Republicans
in the State TO nominate Mr.. Black for
Governor next year. Indeed, II may be
said without fear OF contradiction that tho
party machinery has been for eeveral months
oiled and fashioned for Mr. Black.
The Rochester Poet Erprsss one Of the
soundest Republican newspaper In the
State. speaking Of Gov. Odell two years
ago and now, says:
But what q change has comet His second
administration IL not yet three months old
and yet We have seen IN abandonment OF all
the good policies Of ieoi and 1907 and q de-
liberate resort to the worst policies Of other
administrations. Elected In 1900 By Q plu-
rality Of iii,i2e and reelected In 1909 By Q
plurality OF SOS. Gov. Odell scems unmindnal
OF the lessons which these figures should
teach. Re began with q demand for the
repeal OF the tax on franchises, probably
tho most popular tax ever levied in this State.
The repeal could not he Of beneht to the great
corporations alone and the recommendation
created Q suspicion that Gov. Odell felt him
self under certain obiGations to these corpo-
rs,ions The Governor followed this with
demand for the imposition OF new taxes.
T'hese were to be Of the most unjust Character
taxes on requests, taxes on transfers tNxeS
on certificates OF notarics. and, WORT Of al
taxes on mortgage. And with eli this de.
mand for moro money, no demand for econ
omy In expenditurei There was an absolute
and scandslous sband onmenf Of The courss oh
action most likely to win the approval OF the
people There was no further talk Of consoN-
dations at Albany, no further effort TO check
extravagancs. no further effort to decrease
expenditures, The whole purpose Of the
Odeli Administration seems now to wiring
more money from the pockets Of the people.