The sun., 1906-12-31
EVERYBODY AT SEA IN ALBANY
LEGISLATORS UNCERTAIN AS TO
WHAT COY. HUGHES WILL DO.
He Has Taken No Leaders Into His Con.
ndcnee Regarding HIS Appointments
senate 20 Adopt q rule Authorizing
RaIncs 10 Appoint the Committees.


Senate 20 Adopt q rule Authorizing
RaIncs 10 Appoint the Committees
ALBANY. Dec SO.-Governor- elect Hughes
did not leave the Executive Mansion to-
suHay. He had no visitors Of nom ent and
"passed restful day with his family. After
breakfast he read the proof of his message,
which will be transmitted to the Legis-
Ature ON Wednesday.
Gov. Higgins reached Albany this after
oon. He is stopping at the Hotel Ten Eyck.
When Governor-elect Hughes learned that
Gov. Higgins was in town he invited the
Governor TO stay at the mansion. but Gov.
higgins sent back word through Mr..
Hughess military secretary, George Cur
tis Treadwell, that realizing there was not
an overabundance OF room in the mansion
he would remain at the Ten Eyck.
The news Of the arri val Of Mr.. Hughes
In this city has been the signal for men,
Lers of the Legislature TO hasten their de-
psrture from their homes to this city.
While Mr.. Hughes is making no public ut
terances Of his programme, the legislators
HnAlOus 10 nDu Out Wudt 10 BOAuB WI ~
Albany and are hanging on to every rumor
that goes the rounds. At present, however,
they ara beginning to show some concern
regarding the organization OF the two
houses Of the Legislature.
Never before was there 50 much un-
certainty rega riding what an incoming
Governor will do, and the fact that he does
not seem to tn ink it worth while to take
legislative leaders into his confidence con-
cerning his appointments and other acts
has everybody at sea. They know he has
named his staff and a lso his private secre-
sry and military secretary and has said
whom he will name as Superintendent Of
Banks, hut further than that he has given
no intimation OF what he proposes to do,
and the utmost anxiety is expressed as to
what he will recommend in his message.
Only the fact that it will not be as long as
other communications to the Legislature
is known. And il il safe to say that when
the message is read on Wednesday it will
receive strict attention and not be looked
upon as a mere routine Of the organization
Of the Legislature.
The gossip continues to make McDougall
Hawkes.. the former New York city Dock
Commissioner, the new Superintendent OF
Public Works. 1t is pointed out that even
II Governor-elect Hughes wanted TO APP
point Col. Thomas A. Symonds TO that
position the public officers act would pre-
vent it, for Col. Symonds is not a resident
of this State. In order TO appoint him Mr..
Hughes would have to secure a special act
Of the Legislature.
1t is also believed that there will not be
public investigations Of the various depart
ments. What Investigations will be made
will be of an internal character. For
instance, it is believed that the new Banking
Superintendent, Charles Keep, will do his
own investigating and clean house as he
finds it necessary.
But while all OF this speculation con-
cerning the new era that is to occur in the
executive department OF the State govern
ment the proud, naughty and often called
naughty Senate is to proceed on the same
lines as have prevailed for the last decade.
The Senate refuses to take u. itself the
Tebuke Of the people at the polls last fall,
and Senator John Raines is going to pro-
Ceed Just as II the people had not shown
their displeasure with the way the Repub-
lican party through its officers had been
conducting the affairs Of state. There
e. IS to be no housekeeping Of the upper
body Of the State Legislature This was
shown when it was announced that John
Raines of Canandaigua was to be once
more the president pro TEN. OF the Senate.
Although the rules provide that the
Lieutenant-G G overnor shall appoint the
committees of the Senate, the same policy
that has been the custom when the pre-
siding officer is of a different political faith
than the majority Of the Senate Is to be
pursued. On the opening day Senator
Raines will introduce a resolution amending
the rules 80 that the president pro tenn.
will be authorized to name the committees.
This amendment will be adopted.
Senator Raines is in town and is at work
trying TO fix up his committees, but he finds
Il a troublesome task. The chairmanships
will not be doled out until after conferences
are had Tomorrow and Tuesday with in
dividual Senators, and then the list will be
prepared during the recess OF one week.
1t is definitely settled, however, that Senator
W. W. Armstrong will be the chairman Of
the Finance Committee, but the chairman
ships of other committees have not been
decided definitely. The important commit
tees whose chairmen have not been returned
are Judiciary, Codes, Taxation and Re-
trenchment, Insurance, Miscellaneous Cor
porations Banks and Public Education.
Senator Raines whl not disturb the COM
mittee chairnanships where the member
has returned save to promote from in
significant committees to more important
ones. Senator Horace White OF Syracuse
will continne a. chairman Of the Cities
Committee. Senator Benjamin +. Wilcox
will continue as chairman OF the Railroads
COMMITTEES.
Senator Page Of New York is insisting upon
being named as chairman Of the Judiciary,
but senator Davis of Erie is the ranking
member of that committee. However,
Senator Davis is chairman Of the Canals
Committee, an assignment that is dear to
the heart Of an Erie man. Senator Jotham
Pathfinder Aids is mentioned in connection
with tho Judiciary chairmanship. He is the
chairman Of the Forest, Fish and Game
Committee, and for reasons probably best
known 10 himself he prefers to retain that
chairmanship il he cannot have that and