New-York tribune., 1906-04-21
PASS INSURANCE BILL.
SENATOR'S FALL IN LINE.
General Measure Goes Through as
armstrong Committee Desired.
IRv Telsgraph to The Tribune. ]

Albany April 2o.-An emergency message
from Governor Higgins to-day finished the work
he began yesterday. for the Senate passed the
General Insurance biz by a vote of IL to >. The
dissenters were Senator'S Grady and McCarren
Previous it's passage. the White amendment
had been stricken out. in compliance with the
decision reached AT the Republican caucus, and
The Armstrong substitute adopted. No other
change made in the bill. though Senator
Grady tried vainly TO make several.
Some heartburning characterized the Senators
WHO had 10 reverse their position on the White
amendment relative 10 policyholders lists. Ex-
plantations. graceful and ungraceful. were made
regarding the sudden shifts Senator White in
2 forcefu speech, defended his position. but
voted 70 withdraw his amendment The general
discontinue among the luckless amendment s
supporters not abated hy distribe from the
defeated Senator Grady. denouncing those who
changed their votes as 'confessing their guilt"
BY that change
SENATOR ARMSTRONG PLEASED.
Among the persons satisfied. however, We're
the members Of the special investigating COM
Inittee. their supporters and the Governor him
self. who had saved the insurance h:il. As he de-
sired. After the battle over. Senator Arm
strong expressed his appreciation of the Gov
ernor's stand. He said:
Governor Higgins rendered signal service 10 the
peoP of ms sta sfats EeSeraay e ,o IS be ge oe
he holes dignity and character commensurate
.deais Of his position While Holding himself aloof
from interference with the Legislature IN the per
enormous powers OF resistance which are so neces-
sa-, so- he rr5per neTfoTInance of the duties ot
Governor and effectually refutes the criticisms or
He belongs by breeding and business and social
relation 10 the class who sought the repeal OF the
mortgage tax Tor their own personal oeneht al
though posing as acting in the interest Of others.
order 10 withstand their pressure for his approval
ot the bill I do not believe from what know OF
his part 20 exhib. that tortit1de and courage.
a-d when r,e },sYra,,ra reform measure was in
danger. when weak VaCillating man would
have hesltated - acted instantly and literally
the situation by the neck and shook il ont ef-
fectually that resistance practically ceased at
! am sincerely proud of Governor Higgins. for
know that he is better understood row in his true
1ninafion TO do his 5Jtv as h. sees II and regard
less of how others may view il, than ever before
When the session convened Senator Arm
strong suggested that the insurance bill be made
& special order for Monday night. since several
members were forced to lie absent. Senator
Grady for the Democrats, asked official enliGht
enment TO the result of TIE R~publicsn
caucus Senator Armstrong said he could not
give the Information
GRADY AND ARMSTRONG TILT
There was a conference" Senator Crazy cor
tinued. and they reached certain conclusions.
would like 10 know II those oonc. .usions apply 20
the whole bill. If they 30, it would be idle
nockery upon the part of any one IN this side
TO offer amendments 20 a hin on which Thirty
six members were committed the other way. If
that decision affects the whole bil We wanJ 20
know it,"
There Was a conference" Senator Armstrong
said, but do not recognize the right to inquire
into IL"
That conference was called as a Republican
caucus" Senator Grady replied. Arc you
ashamed to say you caucused on the tii.''
Senator Raines interfered then saying that
an agreement had been reached 10 make the bill
a party measure. Senator Grady then demanded
time for caucus. Senator Malby demanded
that the bill he taken up to-day. so a recess
taken. during which the Democrats decided
TO let each man use his own judgment on the
bill
Immediately after the recess Senator Arm
strong moved TO reconsider the vote on the
White amendment. Senator White at once
sprang up with defence of his attitude and 2
denial that Timothy J.. Woodruff was connected
with his amendment.
IT IS a virtual confscation OF one of ,be
most valuable privileges Of the policyholders g"
he said. open scandals VIII GROW out Of II
The Only telegram ] have received from any
poiicyholiers is one from the men believe TO
be tho paid attorneys for M Lawson to aid him
IN getflnG possession Of one Of the large com
panes for his own malign purposes"
senator Malby cOncurTed entirely with Sens tor
" llite. lie declared the position had been forced
IN "ila wave Of sensationalism. The motion
u reconsider was passed by vote of 80 to 1
only Senators Grady McCarren Hasenflug and
hehoe voting against il.
SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT.
Then the Armstrong substitute amendment
was offered. Mr.. Grady declared il was AN