New-York tribune., 1905-12-28
SAY MORELAND OR COX.
THE BELIEF At ALBANY.
S. Percy Hooker Also IN Contest for
assembly Leadership.
[Ry telegraph to The Tribune. !


Albany, Dec 27.-With the contest for the Speak
ership practically settled in Assembyman Wads-
worth's favor in the opinion of politicians here the
chief interest is centrng in the collateral contest
for the craftsmanship of the Ways and Means Com
mittee carrying with it the floor leadership IN the
Assembly Three men, Sherman Moreland of
Chemung; s. Percy Hooker of Genesee. and ROD
ert Lynn Cox, of Erie, are regarded as the aVall-
able candidates OF these three, the actual cholce
will rest between two it is believed. Assembly
ma, Hooker. II is conceded by many. possesses the
requisites alike of ability and clean record. put
comes from the same Congress district as Nr:
Wadsworth. which fact alone it is thought w'uio
be sufficient to eliminate him from the race.
The situation possesses many unusual FEATURES
because of the party housecleaning which Gov
ernor Higgins and his friends have under way anu
the comparative youth and inexperence VI .,
man selected to represent this sentiment In the
important place of presiding officer OF the ASSEM-
bIv The floor leader this year political observers
declare will have 10 be man or experience anu anu
sagacity He must, they say, be keen ana aulOi''
versed in parliamentary procedure and Oh sum ~
rrast,ee in the Assembly to enable him 10 ald the
voune Speaker in case any OF the oider Helhoe''
adopts revengeful tactics He must NC ao1,a. go
ptzed thew also aver as a sharp. ready speaker
With persuasive force enough to hold m the party
ranks for important measures any disgrun'eu as
sembIvnen These qualities. legislators mere say
are possessed by Assemblymen Cox. Moreiand auu
Hooker.
considered fairly out of the as result OF tne
postton taken by Governor Higgins IN regard u
his candidacy in a recent interview the U"'oi
saving that Mr. Rogerss change OF purpose iildue
him manifestly unfit for the place Oh 0peaAei' anu
moro recently reiterating his opinion Even II ne
has rronoised TO 'be good and has withdrawn as
a candidate for Speaker swinging Into line 1or MT
Wadsworth Mr. Rogers has lost his chance OF re-
tanning the floor leadership, the observers mere say
Assemblvman Cox. of Erie, has stood well In the
he info
his fellow Assemblynen. In his three sessions OF
service he has taken an important part IN the oe-
bates He IS keen and ready, and well liked Dy MS
fellow members. He belongs to that wing OF the
Republican party in Buffalo which under the leao-
ership of Postmaster Grener has followed the
spirit of Governor Higgins. This fact IT is thought
is not lost sight of by the Governor ana MS al
visers who think that the prestige which his eieva
ton would confer this section OF the party
would bring about much benefit.
For AssembIyman Moreland the same good
things are said. He stands we'll with Governor
Higgins and has behind him the influence of Con-
gressman ]. Sloat Fassett, of Chemung, his nome
county This politicians with eye to the future
consider an important asset Between him ana
Assemblyrnan Cox they predict, will lie the choice
If Assembynan Cox finally is named, Mr.. More
land surely will be made chairman of one OF the
important committees. which not unlikely will Dc
Insurance or Railroads. S. Percy Hooker also
receive recognition by appointment as head Of some
important committee. It also has been suggested
that he may succeed Senator Irving LHommedleu'
of Niagara whose political service probably VIII
end with the present session. At present Mr. Cox
seems to be slightly the leader in the friendly
cantest fer tf,e foer leadership.
Discussion of the Speakership situation here is re-
garded now merely as academic treatment en-
lvened by Mr.. Merritt's daily statements. HIS
vote il is estimated will be from 10 to 2s insigni-
cant at best Mr. Merritt is expected to open his
headquarters here tomorrow morning with some
more tart utterances but his contest is no longer
taken seriously.