New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-11
GAS BOLTERS BACK IN FOLD
FIVE QUIT COMBINATION.
Desertion Striking Defeat for the
Gas Interests.
[BY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRIBUNE. !

Albany March lot was learned tonight
that five of the fifteen Republican Senators who
have been inclined to follow the leadership of
Senator McCarren in opposing the passage Of
any measure providing for reduced price of
gas have decided to stand by Governor Higgins
and the party leaders. They are Senators
Brown. of Otsego; Barnes, of Rensselaer,; Cobb,
OF jefferson; Burr, of Suffolk, and Prime, of
Essex Senators Barnes and Burr indicated
this action early the night of the caucus,
when they declined to follow McCarren's deputy
leaders in boiling the caucus
All day the Republicans who are against
lower gas rates were busy sending one remon-
stras4ee after another to these two Senators in
the EJpr OF bo,iing them IN the combination
But the General Indignation Of the Republicans
of the legislature at the desertion of the party
cause and the determined and unhinching atti-
tude of the Governor, backed by the Assembly,
proved too great force to be resisted by these
Senators, who have important local legislation,
the fate of witch in the end must rest with
the Governors decision to sign or veto.
This is the most striking defeat the lobby has
yet sustained and it is taken in various quar-
ters here to indicate the break UP of the alli-
ance which has managed to block legislation,
prevent the fulflment of party pledges and
discredit the present legislators. In the ranks
of the friends of the gas interests there still
remain Senators Amber. Cassidy. COggeshall.
Cooper. Davis Drescher Fechter, Gardner
1. I.Hommedieu and Wilcox. while Senator. Nc
Evans position Is doubtful. AS twenty-six
votes are needed, it is clear the Republican
leaders are still short of a majority, but they
have increased their ranks from twenty-one to
twenty-five. and the general belief IS that Sen
ator Davis, of Buffalo, Will not hold out. when
the actual situation and the burden of respon-
sibiity that it entails made clear next week.
The present week has been in which the
hope for gas relief has been steadily increasing.
On next Tuesday matters will reach a crisis
the vote on the Page investigating resolution
reported TO the Senate this morning on this
vote the Republican insurgents Will either have
to surrender or openly acknowledge the leader
and against Governor Higgins, State Chairman
Odell and the legislative leaders That the
who have not hesitated to fight under cover of
open before their constituents in such a fight Is
hardly believed by those most familiar with the
lobby fights of other years, which generally have
terminated at the committee and caucus stage.
Considerable surprise is expressed here at the
action of the Brooklyn Republican Senators,
who on this issue are unanimous in following
the leadership Of their fellow tOwnsman, Sem
ator McCarren. The caucus action, the sub
sequent desertion of the five Senators named
above and the action of the Finance Committee
yesterday in reporting the Page resolution
unanimously, although the supposed allies of
the gas interests had enough votes to prevent
the report, are all taken clear indications Of
the beginning of the end and the victory of
Governor Higgins in this. the first serious fight
of his administration.