New-York tribune., 1903-04-17
THE DEFEAT OF BAKER
Debate Marked by Recriminotion
and Bitterness.
Isr TELEGRAPH TO TUE. rR1R,NE.l


ernor Odell of Frank NJ. Baker of Owego Tioga
County. for Railroad Commissioner The vote
cast IN favor of the motion was given by TWEEN
V-tWo Democrats and four Republicans-Sen
ators Amber Bracket. Z. r. Brown and Els
berg There were twenty-three Republican Sen
atoms who voted against the motion to reject
the nomination
Nothing was said against Mr. Bakers fitness
for the position Of Railroad Commissioner. The
opposition to lin. it was palpable. was of
political nature. Three of the Republican Sen
ators who voted against his confirmation. it was
clear. did so because he was supported for the
nomination by Senator Thomas c. Platt and
they are endeavoring to lessen Senator PIatts
political authority Senator MaIby, who voted
In favor of Mr.. Bakers nomination, said Mr..
Baker should not be knitted because he was,
Senator Platt's friend. It will be remembered
that Senators Bracket. E. R Brown and Els.
berg voted against Senator Platt's reelection
as United States Senator.
Senator Ambler's vote against the confirma
ton Of Mr.. Baker was surprise His nomina-
ton for Senator was brought about through
the influence of Louis F. Payn. and IL was sup
posed that Mr.. Payn would do all in his power
to secure the confirmation of Mr.. Baker.
Senator Amber said afterward: Il had
talk with Mr.. Payn about Mr.. Bakers con-
frmation my vote against Mr.. Baker
of a personal nature. l voted against him be
cause the Republican organization put through
the legislature the canal Improvement bill. and
there is not man in my Senate district who
favors that bill, Why, 1 never knew the State
Grange so stirred up about a matter The feel
ing is very bitter all over the State concerning
it"
The Democratic Senators assumed the attitude
that certain organizations of railroad men, IA
he m q
Mr Baker for Railroad Commissioner, had a
candidate for the position, who should have been
nominated by Governor Odell.
oDELI. AWAY WHEN CLASH CAME.
The Republican Senators in their speeches ar
pued that Mr. Baker was eminentIy qualified
for the position, and cited resolutions passed by
organizations Of railroad men in his favor
There was no good reason for Republicans,
even though opposed to Senator Platt to vote
against Mr.. Bakers confirmation they declared
Senator Raines, the Republican leader, acknoWI-
edged the authenticity Of a newspaper inter-
view with him in which he was reported as say
ing that none Of the three insurgent Republican
Senators-Brackett, Z. r. Brown and Elsoerg-
would be returned to the Senate. This remark
led to Senator Elsberg expressing a wish that
Senator Raines would get State ticket and
test his personal popularity IN the ANth senate
District in New-York City
Governor OdeI had left the city for Buffalo
before the clash took place in the Senate
The '-insurgent'' Republican Senators did not
decide to oppose the nomination of MI Baker
until this morning. That statement was mace
hv Senator Bracket tonight. 1t Is propapie
that they made this decision after meeting OF
the Senate Railroad Committee this morning
when a majority of its members decided 10
make favorable report on the nomination
The majority was composed OF Repuo1can sen
ators Senator E r Brown. who is a member
of the committed did not vote. The Demo-
cratic Senators voted against confirming the
nomination
Colonel George ". Dunn, chairman of the
F2enubIican State Committee, in the room
of Lieutenant Governor Higgins when the Sen
ate was called to order. and was obviously IN
tent upon observing the proceedings Of the
Senate closely
Senator Grady. the Democratic leader, on
served that Senator wilcox, the chairman OF
the Senate Railroad Committee. did not submit
ar1- .report on Mr.. Bakers nomination. He held
= brief conference with Senators Elsberg. T. h
Brown and Bracket. and apparently resolved to
force The Railroad Committee to act He asked
for an immediate report. saying that, II the
nomination Of Mr.. Baker should be rejected the
Governor ought to have an opportunity to make
another promptly. He made a motion that the
Railroad Committee should at once report and
after some debate. Senator Raines opposing us
adoption it was carried by vote Of a 10 %,
The vote showed that a working alliance had
reen formed between the Republican 'insur-
gents and the Democrats
GRADY FORCES THE FIGHT.
Senator Grady followed up this action by NOV
ing that the favorable report on MI BAKER
domination be rejected Senator Raines moved
that this motion be tabled, but his motion was
defeated bv vote Of 81 10 % Senator Crazy
then renewed his original motion TO reject the
,,,i-,.+ic,, of Mr.. Baker. Senator Raines moved
a. an amendment that the appointment OF MI
Baker. he confirmed. 1t was in the debate that
foIor,,Ad that senator Raines denounced the
action Of the three Republican Senators FOR
+5re wifi, the Democrats Senator Green
erlogtzed MI Baker. and Senators Bracket
r-Isbarr and Brown gave their reasons for Not-
ing against Mr. Bakers nomination senator
Bracket declared that Mr. Baker was out q
rav-n on the cfessboard He declared that ne
voted against Nr. Baker for the same reason
thar refused 10 vote for the reelection OF 'h|
Senator who organized this Senate heIoIe Il
had met and then. when II did meet lthpu"ei''
~ snnounced his selections and forced the"
,,,or rs Senator Elsberg declared that ne
,graed with everything Senator BTacketf mao
said and should not be draeooi'eu ''i'' ''''S
for this nomina ton"
Senator Raines. in speech "l ''"Si'ie' fl'''
i.rg,b cave an account from his point "f We"
Of the part taken by Senator Bra'ke't III '"t
organizatfon of the Senate. and declared -"@'
the latter had sought certain Offices ]" 'he zen
o,e for himself and his friends. To have aeceaed
n those demands would have been unpardoh-
ab,e Welding TO the threats Of three poli'ica
highwaynen."
IT, senate then rejected Senator Raines
+,or ,hat the nomination of Mr.. Baker he