New-York tribune., 1905-01-05

ship OF the committees on Villages. Agriculture
and Privileges and Elections was increased from
Eve 20 seven. The Committee on Roads and
Bridges Was dropped from the list.
IN taking the chair Senator Paines president
pro TEN. made brief speech.
The Governors annual message was brought
in by his secretary, Frank Il. Perley. at ii 40
O'clock, and st was read by Clerk Whipple.
Governor Higgins sent TO the Senate with his
message the nomination of n. V. v Franchot.
OF olean. as Superintendent OF Public Works. in
place OF Charles s. Boyd The nomination was
Immediately confirmed by unanimous consent
After n number OF bills had been introduced the
Senate adjourned until $50 p. M, January H.
WHAT THE ASSEMBLY DID.
The session OF the Assembly was called TO or
der by Clerk Archie z. Baxter. Prayer was Of
fered by the Rev. Mr.. Lucas. OF Albany. and the
roll was called. After recess OF FIVE minutes.
during which Mr.. Mongin. Deputy Secretary OF
State. administered the oath 10 a number OF
members the ballot on Speaker was taken with
the following result: S. F. Nixon, 103; George
n. Palmer A. Speaker Nixon was escorted to
the chair by James r Rogers, OF Broome. and
John McKeown, of Kings
SPEAKER NIxoN's SPEECH.
Speaker Nixon was welcomed with hearty ap-
plsuse as he took the gavel. In accepting his
seventh consecutive election to the speakership
, he referred TO last years increased appropria-
tion for schools and the great importance Of
education of all finds to the State to forest
preservation, aduiteraten of foods. water sup
ply for cities, the needs Of the States high
ways; and recommended the passage OF legis-
lation for the relief Of voters distant from home
at election time. Turning TO the subject Of
newspaper libel Speaker Nixon said:
A bin TO relieve publishers OF the presumption
news item alleged TO be nbsllous by allowing re-
lief from that presumption on publication OF a
year. but failed in the Senate. convinced that
fair treafnlent in oases where they now are prose
icuted for backmailing purposes. The construction
agencies for news gathering. that will ap-
pear ana where all possible reparaton is promptly
mace eoitorfally II seems TO me that compensatory
DAMAGES should satisfy the plaintiff. and punitive
IN this connection I moved TO mention the
fippent manner in which telegraphic correspond
OF members OF both houses OF the Legislature /
cast no reflection upon the body Of legislative cor
.Snd, as rule have found them eminently fair and
very few exceptions thai have proved The IS rue Ihe
~ commend the great body OF newspaper workers
loyal good fellowship.
tINoR woMANs SUFFRAGE ON TAX PROP
OSITIoNs.
INIT women taxpayers TO vote on all tax prop
iositions. and said:
= believe that every community would be bene-
tea 6y the votes Of such women They are
S s collsclen! PaItlouc ana lnteHeent
cass ana the more voters OF that kind we have at
the polls the better for the commonwealth. They
am heartily in favor Of all the home rule that
can be given New-York City and every other city,
iyitally interested. I wish the same amount OF
legislstion that would be more nteligently consid
control Of the boards OF supervisors In the counties
The subject of good roads is being agitated more
and more in connection with the proposition 10
This sum It is estimated. win improve 400 miles
or one-tenth Of ali the roads in tie State L is
make good road such as the State Engineer rec
that kind OF stone road is built It soon needs
gensiye repairs: II becomes worn in:o rpts and the
whe e II i oonsanby 6d ba sg sgHS s ,d1s some @
commodate farm wagon and reduce the neces-
saTy drawing power to minimum Il would be
subject study sun favor the crushed stone road
containing large cities the present law seems 10
be satisfactory, for the city pays NEST OF the
bring trade 10 the city.
IN strictly rural counties there are many towns
cost of improved highway and they object to
per een It % has 50 seemed a 70 % e that R @ R sGeh
ties any populous and wealthy town should be al
for half the cost the State paying the other half
and not calling on the county for any aid. This
plan Of each town improving its own roads would
DO away with all controversy in boards OF super
v1sors TO which town should be served first and
how many miles each town SHOULD have. and in
the long run such towns might be well of as
they would under heavy county debt. In such
an arrangement IL might be provided that in case
the county should afterward assume IS per cent Of
the cost OF road improvements the towns that had
paid so per cent should be reimbursed by the
county TO an equitable amount.
J. Harvey Waite filed protest against the seat
ing of Charles J. Dodd Oemocrat in the 9th
District Of Kings. 1t was referred TO the Com
nlittee Privileges and Elections. A long time
was occupied after Governor Hggins's message
had been read in the drawing Of seats. old mem
bers having the preference.
Speaker Nixon, who has been indisposed for a
Few days, remained only about hour As
semblyTnan Rogers, the leader, presiding during
the latter part Of the session. At 1:45 D. M the