New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-24
lrr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUxEl

session among the Republican Senators. and
IN the end failed and left Senators Raines and
M.Ihr NOT rnerely-without following, but also
accused of having violated the agreement OF the
Marty caucus Of two weeks ago. The net result
n, this disturbance leaves the tax situation in
= tsnRle as hopeless gas in few
u,aeks ago and suggests that some action
s-.s,ic as was needed to break that complica-
lion viii be required. The party programme. as
announced and agreed TO several weeks ago. was
- usss ali three Of the tax blls-insurance
stock tax and mortgage
over the first named there little differ
snce OF opinion: the other two there was
g wide division. In place of mortgage tax. Sen
stor Raines wanted increase in the liquor
tax but his colleagues insisted that a party
pledge had been made on this point and refused
10 follow him. With this programme in view.
the leaders of the Senate conferred with those of
the Assembly and mutual assurance was ex-
changed that the whole programme should go
through.
But mortgage tax has always been unpopular
in the lower body. Again and again the Senate
has sent over similar measures only TO lose
them Therefore, aRhough Speaker Nixon
agreed. according to several Senators, to see
that the programme carried out. the SEN
ate at its resent caucus decided on precaution,
which resulted in the dispute this morning At
the caucus. when these measures We're adopted,
on = molten OF Senator Bracket. the sense of
the Republican caucus taken on the wisdom
% holding both tax measures in the Senate until
the Assembly should by caucus. if not by vote.
60 record the mortgage tax proposition
Just the nature ef this decision is doubtful,
but that a majority of the Republicans under
stood il 10 be binding and final is certain More
over. this decision reinforced by the uneX-
pected refusal of the Assembly. at it's caucus
last week 70 adopt either tax measure and the
postponement yesterday of the caucus set for
last night This aroused the suspicion of the
Senators the more.
The definite plan seems TO have been for the
Senate TO keep amending its tax measures in
purely formal way. so to hold them until the
Assembly acted But yesterday when this
programme was being followed. Senator Lewis
was suddenly taken TO task by Senator Malby
for not pressing the measure. He replied by
citing the caucus agreement. This Senator Nal
by entirely denied, declaring there had been
set agreement and insisting thai the bills should
he voted to-day. This precipitated fight
Fourteen Republican Senator'S agreed last night
gainst the tax bills if they were pressed
to-day in what they regarded to he a manner
violating the caucus agreement. This morning
formal notice was served on Senator Malby Of
the decision Of a controlling portion Of the
party. but, undismayed. Senator Malby persisted.
When the bills came up in session the storm
broke. Senator Armstrong. of Rochester, gave
the signal by referring to the caucus agreement.
Senator Raines. who was In the chair. scented
the revolt, and suggested postponement. But
by this time Senator Nalby thoroughly
angry. and sssailed the opponents vehemently.
There agreement" he said. lin that
caucus since that action depend
the Assembly. Such is childish
becoming. Are we not going to play until the
Assembly does? Instead Of waiting for the As
s.mbly 70 lead us should be leading. There
is danger IN delay. 1 know whereof speak, and
Know what Tie danger IS You and not
must assume responsibility for this delay. Every
day tins bills are delayed there is danger lurking
everywhere and especially about the Senate.
Senator Lewis, chairman of the Taxation Com
rnittee. then replied TO the declaration of SEN
stor Malby.
There is danger in delay" he declared. but
vastly more in the reputation Of solemn
agreement. 1 propose vote for this bill, for
believe # is right. ] prepared TO fight for ii
and defend it. but I plead with the leaders of
this body for the performance of their part Of
the solemn agreement Of the conference"
There agreement answered Senator
MaIby.
Not signed and sealed. but there de-
lberate understanding" was the reply.
The Senator may draw his imagination
IS he pleases I have talked with Senator
Raines and he recalls such agreement
storrned Senator Malby. THE idea is TOO pre-
posterous for consideration. Must await the
action Of the lower body? No sensible person
would suggest that should wait for the lower.
weaker house. There was some talk but il
never rose to the dignity Of a promise
pledge"
At this point Senator White, of Syracuse
joined The dispute Renewing the attack on
Senator MaIby. he insisted that there had been
agreement and regretted the misunderstand-
ing. In the midst of the discussion Senator
Grady broke in to request sarcasticay that the
while the majority debated its secrets
When the confusion subsidized Senator White
continued with increasing bitterness.
While L have disposition to impugn the
statement of Senator's Raines and Malby." he
said L want TO say that the agreement was
solemn and binding in honor upon every
who attended that caucus. want to ask these
TWO gentlemen 10 lay the bxl aside. 1t must
be misunderstanding. faft is Incompetent
slble that any one shouR think this or any
other matter Of great enough importance TO
justify violation of honor"
There little more wrsngling. for Sen
stor MaIby remained obdurate. and then the bill
laid aside
1t is now known that the Assembly leaders are
hard at work alternative plan Of taxation
which shall supersede both stock and mortgage
measures At conference on Tuesday night
OF the Assembly committee elected AZ the recent
q ucus Z tax on all evidences Of IL lebtedness.
notes snd the like, and various other schemes
were suggested Objections 10 the stock tax and
20 Particular sections regarded among financial
circles as particularly negotiable have been un-
Ger consideration. and the Assembly leaders
nave entered into more or less tacit agree
nlent With fua ncial hold the whole