New-York tribune., 1906-01-04
FIRST SESSION BUSY.
BOTH HOUSES DEBATE.
Opening of Legislature Enciting-
Mr.. Wadssoorth in Chair.
rs relsrrarh to The Trlbune. J

Telegraph to The Irioune-
Albany Jan 8-with a heated discussion in
each house. which prolonged the sessions FAR
into the afternoon. the opening day of the 129th
Legislature was decidedly exciting. Before the
adjournment for a week Mr.. Wadsworth the
new Speaker of the Assembly. guided a four
hour contest over en- effort to do away with the
power of the Rules Committee. and the Senate
involved itself in argument over senator
Depew in which all party lines and pohUca1
affiliations went by the board
Although no insurance report was presented
and none will be for several days, according to
Senator. Armstrong, much insurance legislation
appeared in conjunction with "anti-graft bills
Municipal ownership and ballot reform bills were
also introduced, with an indication of much more
of q similar nature to come
The converting of each house attracted a
throng of visitors. who filed the galleries and
swarned round the members in the lobbies.
Huge floral pieces and baskets Of cut flowers
covered the desks Senator Bracket was hid
den behind slab Of vari-colored flowers
which bore the legend. Repeal Section 90 al
Iuding to the insurance laws. Assemolynan
Bernstein had a gigantic horseshoe from the
Harlem Democratic Club. contest is TO be
instituted against him it is understood.
The Senate Lieutenant Governor Bruce pre-
siding, was opened with prayer by Bishop Doane
Resolutions of sympathy because Of the death
of Senator Amber and of Albert b. Sackett. the
Senate stenographer. were read by Senator
Raines. Then ex-Lieutenant Governor Woodruff
was presented and told the members how glad
he was to be present. It was both pleasure
and a satisfaction to witness certain things
which recently had taken place, he said. refer
ring TO the Speakership contest. Then after
the reading of the Governors message. began
the presentation of bills.
The proceedings in the Assembly began with
the election of a Speaker. George NJ Palmer.
of Schoharie. Democrat. received "a votes. and
Thomas F Long, of New York, Municipal Own
ership. S, TO Mr.. Wadsworths 106. the full Re
publican strength without his vote. Messrs.
Palmer and Rogers escorted MT Wadsworth to
his chair Three hearty cheers greeted him.
He made a little speech. telling the members
that while he could not hope to equal Mr.
Nixon's ability. he would equal his spirit OF
fairness ANY error would be an error OF 1udg-
nent not of intention He went on:
The people expect and have right to expect
that the work of this session be performed with
thoroughness and expedition A session unduly
prolonged is not only hardship upon US as
individuals but imposes an unnecessary purden
upon the taxpayers The very gravity OF tne
problems which confront us makes II eSSenll6l
that they be approached and solved in such
manner as to inspire among the people that
confidence in their duly elected representatives.
ton of the affairs of our State. And every IN
f1uence which I may have will be exerted IN
that direction and in that direction alone
The organization was completed by the cleo
ton of Mr.. Baxter as clerk and Of minor OH
cials
Veterans of both houses say they recall no
session the opening day of which would COM
pare with this in volume or Importance Of pro-
ceedings Both houses adjourned late in the
afternoon until $50 p. N. next Wednesday
evening. January 10 when the session will be-
gin in earnest.
The uncertainty 8 to who will be Republican
leader in the Assembly place held for several
years by Mr. Rogers. OF Bfo6me5 was shown in
the drawing of seats. Mr.. Rogers received No
10, and the traditional main aisle seat Of the
majority leader was left vacant awaiting the
appointment by Speaker Wadsworth OF the As
sembly committees His selection Of chairman
of the Committee on Ways and Means will carry
with it the majority leadership.
It is the intention Of the legislative leaders
that the work of the session shall be taken up
promptly. without the hitherto habituaI waste
of the early weeks of the session. The pace set
to-day suggests that something of this sort may
actually be accomplished.