New-York tribune., 1905-12-20
MERRITT STILL IN RACE.
Continued from first page.


no such attempt at coercion of the legislative
body was ever before attempted by the Execu-
tive Department of the State If this purpose
prevails the legislature ia both branches may
as well by formal resolution, as far as it is
able transfer it's functions entirely to the yar1-
Gus State officers attached to the executive Office
This interference with the prerogative of the
Assembly in the election of the Speaker is an
uncalled for aspersion on the course of the As
sembIy under the late Speaker Nixon, and
call uaon my fellow members to resent this in
reference with their constitutional rights.
While I do not propose to criticise the per-
sonality of the gentleman whom the Governor
has designated for Speaker, it is fair to say that
there are many members Of the Assembly or
nore years experience whose character and fit,
ness render them at least as proper men for the
position of Speaker as mis- choice. 1t seems evil
dent that long and honorable service is not an
element which appeals to the Governor or his
advisers.
WILL CONTINUE A CANDIDATE.
shall continue to be candidate. and am not
now prepared to believe that the Governor will
so far disregard all precedent as virtually to
take out Of the hands of the Assembly the cleo
ton Of a Speaker by throwing the full power Of
the executive office into what has been friendly
contest between men who might justly aspire to
recognition. It would be most unusual ex-
hibition of 'fbossism'' and viciousness whether
it had its root in Washington or Albany or in
financial interests which have been dtscredlted
by gas and insurance Investigations
This statement was issued at the Murray Hill
Hotel last evening after a series of conferences
between Mr. Merritt and his friends. Ex-Gov-
ernor Odell, chairman of the State Committee,
was at the Republican Club yesterday, and had
a talk with Edr. Merritt and Senator AIalby. Ed
ward H Hartman, Senator Raines, Assembly
men Bedel, Hastings, Lewis, Young and Agnew
and many others were on hand In the course OF
the day. as well as various local leaders. Mr..
Odell would not say a word about the situation,
but to friends he declared that Merritt would so
into the caucus candidate If he didn't have a
1rnfa tlrfh is M a
dinner at Delmonico's last night.
Assemblymen Merritt called at the Hotel
Manhattan in the evening, but it was on private
business, and not for the purpose of paying his
respects to his opponent
It was essentially a Merritt day yesterday,
The Merritt men were ready to talk, while the
Wadsworth ulen were unlimberng their artil-
Iery. To-day 1t may be different While AS
sembIynaan Merritts statement was being read
in the corridors Of the Murray Hill Hotel James
K Mcguire ex-Mayor of Syracuse. Joined the
newspaper men.
I'm out of politics and am going to stay out, I"
said he. "An the same. am interested in the
speakership tight and In the fight against oden.
When was State executive chairman of the
Democratic State Committee, in 1902. tried to
get something against Odell. If we had been
able to get it we would have used It to good
purpose. I went over his record with a fine
tooth comb, as We sometimes say, and didnt
find anything. As Governor he had the courage
to reform taxation methods SO as to place the
burden on those interests which could best sus-
tain them and in that respect he showed q cour-
age and resourcefulness that no Governor Of
this State has ever equalIed. I think odell will
give his antagonists hard battle"
Assemblyman Mervin C. Stanley. represent
ing the 18th District controlled by ex-Congress-
ny1fo-o eoI5
NeW-York Assemblymen were not going to be
delivered for anybody for Speaker.
''The report that we are committed to Wads-
worth or any one else is not true said Mr.
Stanley. Furthermore, the New York men are
in mood to be delivered. If they maintain
their present attitude they will not be delivered
No action was taken on Monday night toward
pledging the members from this county to any
candidate"
Messrs. wadsworth and Merritt will be in
town al this week, and will do their best to
increase their respective adherents