New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-05
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1srxE.l

IBf TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUNE
Albany May 4.-By a single vote after day
sensational in it's developments exciting in its
incidents and thrilling in its suspenses the op-
ponents Of cheaper gas for the people Of the city
Of New-York won their battle so far as the
so cent gas bill was concerned, and were beaten
on the other issues of the hour, the most i'm
portant Of which was the State commission for
regulating the price of gas.
Governor Higgins said this afternoon:
"Inasmuch as all of the gas bills recon-
rnended by the Committee of Investigation have
been passed, excepting the rate bill for private
consumers in New-York City. and owing 10 the
fact that the commission bill gives power TO
regulate the price of gas to private consumers
in the city of New-York, do not feel that the
situation is such as to make it necessary to call
the legislature in extraordinary session for this
purpose
From the ouset of the battle to the last roll
cali the long figure of Patrick H. McCarren
dominated the scene. He marshalled his hosts;
he strengthened the weak kneed among his
followers; he reported minute by minute 10
Charles F. Mathewson, counsel, and an at
tornev Of the Consolidated Gas Company, who
sat. roll call in hand. checking the list OF
the faithful From morning until night he
lost only one of his followers, Edgar /
Rrackett of Sara toga. who had been Sc
lRCte0 the leader OF tne pHlleIS anu lldN l-N
the Republicans who left the caucus, and who
at the opening OF the contest declared that he
would fight the battle to the finish. He alone.
for reasons conjectured but unknown shifted
his vote in the final struggle futilely, so far as
the outcome was concerned, but sensattonally,
from the spectacular point of view.
Apart from the detection Of Mr.. Brackett'
single incident uuequalled in the recent history
of the Senate stamped itself on the minds or
every witness on the f1nal rOllcaI. When twen-
ty-fve Senators had voted for the bill and
twenty-five against it, single Senator, waiter
L. Brown, OF Oneonta, had not voted Twice in
the day he had shifted sides. His vote hal
passed the bill reducing TO - cents the price
of gas sold to the city: his vote had helped To
defeat the bill reducing the price TO the con
sumers. AS the clerk called the roll every eye
in the crowded chamber was fixed on him. SIT
ting across the aisle Senator McCarren swung
around and fixed his eyes him Senator
Gardner. McCarrcn's Republican lieutenant from
Brooklyn hastily crossed the chamber and laid
his hand on Browns shoulder. John Raines
turned and stretching out his long arms, threat
eningIy said: Now. Walter, this is your last
cnanCe"
Gardner whispered again AGcCarren shifted
uneasily in his chair; his whole legislative bat
tie was in the balance A fellow townsman
from Oneonta who had slipped by the bar
begged audibly and then for the fnal time tne
clerk called the roll and in tremulous voice
his face ashen white and his hands trembling
with nervousness. Senator Brown cast the vote
that defeated cheaper gas for the people OF
New York City, so far as the present session
is concerned.
FOUR SENATORS OBEY MCCLELLAN.
From political and partisan point Of view
tba situation revealed by the mutifarious roll
calls was striking and anomalous. OF the four
teen Democrats of the Senate four alone. obey
ing the appeal sent them by Mayor Mcclellan
voted for the gas bills while ten, including the
men who had introduced the Mayors own bills.
voted steadily against any relief for the people
On the Republican side twenty-one senators
finally voted for the caucus pledge Of the party
two were absent and thirteen steadily followed
tha leadership OF McCarren. and by their votes
accomplished the defeat of the measure
State committeeman. leaders of counties. Con
gressmen of national reputation argued
stormed and threatened all in vain. Thessrip
of McCarren held and his forces, republican
ard Democratic alike refused TO desert his lead
ershfp Rumors of compromise. OF agreement
and Of surrender filled the corridors once
.,r,r,ositton 70 pass the commission hill and de
faat the prfce bill seemed TO have been agreed
~, but this was defeated by John Raines, who
4isdaiued all compromise and all surrender and
declared that he intended 10 go down TO defeat
with his Republican opponents driven into the
omen and his way was followed
The detailed statement of exactly what was
gained and lost In this sensational battle Is
briefly given The loss confined To- the bill
hxing AT 50 cents the price OF gas sold TO the
consumers. and it was lost by vote OF rs to %,