New-York tribune., 1903-04-18
CLARK THROWS A BOMB.
CALLS GR1EFF LOBBYIST.
The Missile ProUes a Boomerang,
While the assembly Laughs.
IsT TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.I

Albany April 17-Assembyman George B.
Clark, of the XXIXth Assembly District OF
New-yorb accused Assemblyman James NJ
Graeff. Of Essex County. of lobbying for a bill
to-day. Mr.. Clarl1s complaint finally dwlndIed
down TO a statement that it was not right for a
member 10 go about asking his fellow members
TO vote for a bin during a call for absentees.
Speaker Nixon asked Mr.. Clark il he made a
motion that members should not ask others to
vote for a bill. and Mr. Clark said he did Mr.
Clark was the only Assemblyman who voted for
his motion. and Speaker Nixon declared that
las Assemblymen had voted against it. The
applause that followed lasted for several min
utes.
Assemblynan Clark made his attack upon
Mr.. Graef while the Assembly was taking
vote upon Senator Primes bill amending the
railroad law relating 10 obtaining consents OF
property owners and local authorities for the
extension of street surface railroads, by provid-
ing that where special boards in villages have
authority in consent matters. that such consent
shall be legal Assembly Graef, who comes
from the same county as Senator Prime, was
very diligent in trying to have the bill passed
The first rollcall of the Assembly showed that
the act lacked about seven votes The ao-
rentees were called for, and while the roll was
being called Assenblyman Graeh was busy on
the focr OF the House asking members to vote
for the bill. 1t was finally announced that the
ain had passed by a vote of SO to 80. Mr.
Clark, greatly excited, arose 10 question Of
privilege, and said: Mr.. Speaker, 1 rise to
question OF personal privilege. 1 regret 70 do
This exceedingly. This Brl was not passed on
the roIIcan It was passed on the call Of alb
eentees. and lobbying went on in this call Of
sbsentees.'
Speaker Nixon raped his gavel with emphasis
and said: The Chair would ask the gentleman
10 make his charges good. We have had enough
charges here which have not been substantiated
tApplause) The Chair asks the gentleman from
New-York TO make his statement"
Mr Clark replied: 4 viii say this, Mr
Speaker much as I regret TO do it and without
any personal feeling against the gentleman
who is one Of my friends here, that Mr. Graef
asked members TO vote for this bill Qaughter)
while the call Of absentees was going on
There was a buzz Of astonishment when Mr.
Graef was named. Mr.. Graef at once said:
Mr.. Speaker. rise TO a question OF personal
privilege II has been the custom here in the
House for members TO ask their associates to
vote for bills. I don't know any reason why one
member should not ask another member TO vote
for bill if he gives a reason. II the gentleman
accuses me Of doing any other. using any other
means I desire 10 know it,
The Chair" said Speaker Nixon, asked the
gentleman from New-York 10 make his state
1nent good upon the floor
The gentleman said Mr.. Clark. has not
denied that he asked for votes during the call Of
ahsentees"
Assemblyman Dale was recognized He cen
sUred AIr- Clark rOundiy. and said in part:
when the gentleman from the AXIXth has had
a little more legislative experience-which 1
doubt now he ever VIII have-and when he min
giles more with men who are men. his mind will
broaden. The charges he makes are outrageous,
and if he has g spark of manhood he will apollo
gize at once. There is no question that he will
be buried beneath public Indignation If ever he
runs again in his district"
Mr. Dale's speech evoked applause from ali
sides OF the chamber regardless Of party. Then
Speaker Nixon said sarcastically:
The Chair would like to ask Mr.. Clark If he
has ever asked a member to vote for a bill Of
his
Never during a call of absentees" answered
AIr. Clark.
IF / asked any one TO vote for my Senator'S
bill, I found this gentleman, Mr. Clark, my
heels asking the same members not TO vote for
The bill" said Mr.. Graeff This makes him a
lobbyist as much as / I want Mr. Clark TO ex-
plain what he means by the term lobbyist. 1t is
obnoxious word. want him to withdraw IT.
1 ask him IS legislator and as gentleman"
This is a good day for housecleaning. Go
ahead said Speaker Nixon.
I did not use the word lobbyist" said Mr.
Clark
iraeff, McManus, Ulmann and Dooling ia a
breath
1T is not right that members should go
around the chamber asking members to vote for
their bills during the call of absentees.' said
Mr.. Clark. 1T should be stopped
Does the gentleman from the XXIXth New
York desire TO make motion to that effect"
asked Speaker Nixon
4 do move,' said Mr.. Clark.
All in favor Of Mr.. Clark's motion will RISE
said Speaker Nixon.
Nr. Clark was the only Assemblyman to arise.
All opposed TO Mr.. Clark's motion will rise, -
said the Speaker.
Every member in the chamber with the ex-
ception OF Mr.. Clark stood up
There you are. Mr. Clark, said Speaker
Nixon. 1T is a case of 14s to l. We will pro-
aeG Of he