New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-20
MERRITT STILL IN RACE.
REFUSES TO WTTHDRAW.
Says He'll Go to Caucus Candidate
for Speaker.


Edward A Merritt jr, of st. Lawrence will
| remain a candidate for election as Speaker.
despite the candidacy of James W. Wadsworth.
jr., of Geneseo. Mr. Merritt declared his posi-
ton in statement last night.
Senator George r. Malby. of St Lawrence
County who is assisting Mr.. Merritt in his can
vass for the Speakership, said Governor Higgins
was pledged to non-interference in the Speaker
ship contest, and the Governor would have to
keep his promise.
'As a matter of fact" said Mr.. BIalby, until
the Governor made his statement in favor OF MI
Wadsworth we had a big majority of the mem
bers pledged to Mr. Merritt and If there had
been no Interference there would tonight be no
| question about who the next Speaker would be.
In saying this am not backing down in the
| fight believe Merritt will be elected Speaker.
believe when the people have a chance to think
the matter over public sentiment will be favor
of the decent proposition in this matter, and not
in favor Of placing in the Speakers chair
chick Just Matched out of the legislative egg.
"An we ask of the Governor is a fair show,
and we don't expect to get much of that. A
fair show is what we had pledged to us, and
re shall insist that that pledge be fulfilled
That pledge VIII remain unredeened while the
Governors statement in behalf of Air. Wads-
worth is allowed to stand. We don't propose in
! deal of heat, Ito be treated like lot of-vaga-
| bonds
Nor like princes of the blood interjected
| Mr.. Merritt, as the crowd joined in laugh;
and then Mr.. Merritt added:
For every one knows that fellow Of my
! build is no Little Lord Fauntleroy."
AS Mr.. Merritt weighs about 26O pounds his
sally evoked another laugh.
| When Assemblyman Merritts statement was
| shown to Assemblyman Wadsworth at the
Hotel Manhattan he said: II have no comment
to make on Mr.. Merritt's statement"
NO FINANCIAL INFLUENCE.
| Mr.. Wadsworth's attention was called to the
| statement OF Mr.. Merritt referring to the pos
sible influence Of financial and insurance inter-
ests in the speakership contest and he was
asked if it was true that he represented the
| Ryan interests.
IF any such statement has been made I am
not aware of it. and 1t is absolutely without
foundation" said Mr.. Wadsworth,
Mr.. Wadsworth seemed to be in excellent
| spirits. He reached town at & o'clock and dned
at the Hotel Manhattan with Assembymen
Prentice and George w. Aldrige. of Rochester.
Mr.. AIdrige is with him in the contest. Later
IN the evening he conferred with Assem- yInen
R. L. Cox. of Erie and S. Percy Hooker, of
Genesee. In the evening he received calls from
Elk Governor Black is staying at the Manhattan.
He shook hands with Mr.. Wadsworth and
chatted with him few minutes. When Mr..
! Wadsworth was asked if he had seen State
Chairman Odell he said:
NO. I have not seen the State chairman.
and do not know that I shall see him"
| In his statement Mr.. Merritt said:
Before announcing myself a candidate for
Speaker of the Assembly at the approaching
session of the legislature 1 sought Governor
Higgins and asked him whether he had any per-
! sonal objections 70 me as candidate. He
| sured me that he had none. On his assurance
of interference l became candidate and
| then informed him that / should Immediately
! communicate with other Republicans who were
| to sit in the Assembly and with all others haY-
| ing influence or interest in the affairs of the
Republican party in this State. I had no wish
| to occupy or to be placed in the position of
| representing any faction, as believed and still
| believe, that such facrionalism would greatly
interfere with the possibility of securing the
| legislation which the people and the Republican
party expect to require.
WOULD DESTROY HARMONY"
In addition to this consideration. such a policy
will destroy the harmony which should exist
minimize the power of Speaker TO assist in
| producing satisfactory results
1t Is g. fact that have received many pledges
of support from members of Assembly and their
| friends. For these promises I am grateful and
shall remain a candidate. No outside the
! legislature has asked me to be a candidate for
the Speakership.
In the course or the last five weeks l have
seen and talked with many men prominent in
the affairs of the Republican party of the State,
who have Endorsed and favored my candidacy.
I have especial platform to promulgate, be-
cause recognize the fact that it is duty Of
the Republican Speaker of Assembly to assist
with all his ability in securing a clean reputa-
lie administration, and to help TO do the things
which are for the interest Of the people OF the
State. There tricks to be done. Fair
ness to all and honesty of service include every
thing
l have noticed IN the morning papers that
Governor Higgins has seen fit 10 name James
w Wadsworth. jr for Speaker This was the
first intimaton / received from any source that
the Governor proposed to disregard his explicit
pledge TO me.
The seublanee at least of adherence to con-
stitutional forms has heretofore been observed
Considering all the circumstances. Il is a thing
in the knowledge Of all informed persons that
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