New-York tribune., 1906-04-06
RIOT In THE ASSEMBLY
MISSILES FLY FREELY.
Democrats Defy the Speaker and
Start a Rough House" Game.
[By T.Iegraph . rhe Tribune. ]


Albany. April 5--Under conditions which re-
sembled the rough house" of riotous collegians
the Democrats in the Assembly. aided by some
malcOntents. tried TO run away with the Speaker
at the end of a dreary session to-day Rules
were overridden and demands for recognition
from half a dozen men at the same time were
shouted while rollcal was in progress. open
defiance Of the Speaker by the Democrats led
TO just open disregard of them by him when
they tried to appeal from his rulings. and finally
the session of a deIiberative body degenerated
into small riot the two parties taking sides
and enlivening proceedings by hurting bill files
and water bottles at friend and enemy alike.
1t all came at the end Of the longest meeting
of the session. Tired and without food since
early morning. the members were restive when
the Malby bill legislating a Democratic school
board in Ogdensburg out Of Office was reached
on the calendar. Assemblyman Palmer the
minority leader, moved that the bill go over until
next week He said ne had the promise Of the
district Assemblyman. Mr.. Gray, that II oDJec-
tion were made the biE would not be pressed
for final passage at once. Mr. Gray said ne had
not consented to this arrangement ana asked
that the measure be advanced at once
Assemblyman Merritt declared that the Dill
ought to be advanced to get 1t TO the Governor
and hasten final adjournment He said there
were half a dozen other bills or similar nature
which would be vetoed by Democratic mayors,
who would hold UP the measures for fifteen
days at least eff you permit them TO delay
these local bills any longer" he said. you will
not adjourn until the middle of May"
AssembIyn1an Palmer declared that he would
fight the bills to the last ditch unless Mr.
Merritt would consent that they be laid aside
until Tuesday Mr.. Merritt would not consent
Mr. Palmer. demanded that he be heard a
question of personal privilege. The Chair re-
fused to recognize him. Assemblyman Oliver
Dem. N " cried out for recognition. also. but
it was refused
You're right, PaImerl'' he shouted at the
minority leader IF you don't get a show. will. -
The Speaker ordered the sergeant-at-arms 20
put Mr. Oliver in his seat
Don't you touch me- yelled the irate New
Yorker I'm free Assemblynan. and no man
| can lay his hand on me-
An assistant doorkeeper summoned by the
| sergeant-at-arms. advanced on Mr oliver TO put
| him in his seat The Assemhlyman sat down
| but rose as soon as the doorkeeper had retired
| and yelled for recognition. Mr.. Moreland. the
/ majority leader. told Assembyman Merritt to
| demand the ayes and noes. Oliver objected vo-
| ciferousy and Mr. Moreland shouted. Put him
/ down: put him down.
| Oliver sat down again. but appealed from the
| decision Of the Speaker. raising point Of order
| that free speech was being hampered by arbi-
/ trary treatment
/ Mr. Palmer and half dozen other Demo-
! Gratis also appealed from the Chairs rulings The
| Assembly sustained the Speakers rulings by a
| vote Of So 70 13. amid shouts and cheers like
those heard at a football game. and Immediately
| afterward amid a storm OF cheers passed the
/ Malby bill
After adjournment Mr.. Palmer issued state
| ment in which he declared that the Speaker had
| defed every rule ever made by a Speaker IN the
| memory of the oldest Assemblyman He said
i that tomorrow he would insist that the rulings
i he reversed. or charge that partisan motives
solely governed the passage of local bills in the
Assembly through the aid OF the presiding
/ officer.