New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-30
TO PASS AN EXCISE BILL.
so SAYS SENATOR PLATT.
Conference Jrith GoverROr-Latters
Attitude TOscGrd Ne,CcOmb Bill.

Governor Oden and Senator Platt. after
conference at the Fifth Avenue Hotel yester-
day afternoon lasting more than two hours.
announced that there would be excise legfs's-
ton at Albany this winter. aad Senator Platr
predicted that it would satisfy enlightened pub
lie sentiment in this city. colonel Dunn was -
lie 81 the conference. but failed to appear.
Senator Plate said that President Roosevelt IL
the strongest ccrdidcte the Repuhlican party
can name and that II his party cannot win
with hi-n candidate il csnnot win az ALL
Governor Odei, in answer to 4 suggestion that
there seemed 20 be an impression among Dem
ocrats below the Harlem that ANYTHING In The
nature OF home rule legislation was i-rpOsst-
be to obtain from the legislature. said:
The statute books Of TIE Iast few years con-
tain sufficient proof that that impression. If IL
exists, is entirely unfounded. The city secured
legislation that It desired last year. and there
will be more this year"
How about your conference with the Sen
ator? Did you talk about legislation?'' he was
/ asked
Yes" replied the Governor. that was what
came down for-to discuss certain IegisIative
| and political matters with the Senator. We had
a very pleasant talk. lasting two hours. I make
| it rule to say nothing about legislative mat
| ters until they officially before me-"
| You were quoted as being against the New
comb bill"
! IF quoted I must have been mis-
/ quoted for I have not taken any position one
/ way or the other toward the bill But why
| much discussion of the excise bill? II does not
| appear. from the Albany end. to BE extremely
| important. There have been no delegations to
ask for Sunday opening legislation. and there
does rot appear TO be any particularly urgent
| call for any legislation of that character"
Jerome wanted it a year ago." 1t sug-
gested
Yes" said the Governor. quickly. "but Je-
| rome didn't dare go 20 the people on that propo-
sition"
Mayor Mcclellan says he has no power to
! regulate the alleged extortions OF the Gas
Trust" il was suggested.
| Why doesn't he ask for power. them re-
piled the Governor. IF 1t would not be in
| fringement OF home. rule" and here the Cow
ernOr smiled. why doesn't he ask the legis-
! lature for power to do something with public
service corporations he may suspect are over
stepping their rights in dealing with the people?'
The Governor said he expected 20 appoint the
Canal Commission some time next week He
returned to Albany on the $50 train. after a
short chat with ex-senator J. Sloat Fassett OF
Elmira.
When Senator Platt was seen last night hs
seemed to be in jovisI frame Of mind II
had a talk with the Governor lasting an hour
or two" he said. and If it is of any particular
interest to the public 1 might add that every
thing is harmonious between the Republican
leaders OF the state"
What did you and the Governor talk abortq'
about legislation at Albany and state poI5-
tics With reference 10 the legislation cannot
say much at this time, for the reason that GER
tain features of proposed legislation are under
discussion. We discussed the Newcoub b.u. 7
cannot speak for the Governor. but il strikes
| me that he IS not very fully in accord with the
main features Of the Newcomb bill There will
be some kind of an excise bill passed for this
| city. however and believe that it viii satisfy
| enlightened 0ublc sentiment"
| Senator Platt was asked if he had noticed that
the Western States were instructing delegates
| for Roosevelt day by day
| YES, 1 have noticed il, aud il Is g-atifying' %
! replied the Senator. II Informed that there
| is no doubt whatever that Illinois and Indiana
! will instruct for Roosevelt. and am willing to
| predict here and now that Ohio viii instruct
for him too"
/ How about New-Yorks
| Il certainly expect that the delegates from
this State will be instructed for Roosevelt They
will II have anything to say about it. and I
| expect to have. II we can't win with ROose-
| velt we can't win with anybody. He is tho
/ strongest candidate We can name. Whatever
| defects he may have are obvious and well
known to the people. They know him. II will
/ be different with our friends the enemy. What
ever man they nominate for President viii ba
subjected 20 searching criticism by all the wings
and factions in the Democratic party. I don't
know just how strong the Democrats VIII be Il
they nominate this judge up the Hudson. His
strongest point seems TO be that he has rec
ord. except that Of judge He was elected on
hul1e. There won't be any huke this year"
did you notice that President James Stilnaa
of the National City Bank dlned with the Presi-
dent?''
Yes" said Mr.. Platt. with quick smile =
saw that in the papers this afternoon. Mr..
Stlnan represents a considerable element In
the financial world. II he should come out
squarely for President Roosevelt IL would mako
a considerable difference in Wall Street"
WIFI he?"
Il don't know whether he viii rot A good
Did Mr.. Fessett have any news?"
Senator Fassett came down to talk over tbs
situation in his Congressional district There -
a deadlock. on account Of conteStilg delegations
from Seneca County. I advised Senator Fas-
sett 10 go slow. l would be very glad indeed 20
see him elected to Congress. as he would make
a strong Representative. but don't want to
see any fight sprung in the districc tAat VII
cost the federal ticket any votes.
Senator ard Mrs. Platt win return 20 Wash
ington sCme time tomorrow