New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-02
EXPECT Lively SESSION
IEGISL4TIVE FORECAST.
life Insurance Viii Be Most I'm
portant Feature.

s..rv,nr to be described as sensational. char
oc,erized by many different reasons for uncer-
trtv The death in October last of Speaker S
rred Nixon of the Assembly, after unprecedented
cord Of seven consecutive terms as presiding Of
Seer in the lower house who would almost certain
- have been reelected both to the Assembly and
- lis S peakership opened the way for contest
so- that Office in many ways more remarkable In
a.. aeveIopments than any other in twenty years or
ora The legislative investigation of life insur-
once conducted by joint special committee OF
18th houses Of the last legislature makes certain
nrotracted consideration of insurance legislation
o-5 assures a degree Of public interest in the 'ork
If this legislature far IL excess of that drawn to
an, session Of recent years. More than that, some
% the direct evidence evoked in that investigation
and differences drawn not unnaturaly from the tes-
,innonv of witnesses examined and from the I'D
.,ce Of others who in way or another escaped
oxsr7irat.on. have drawn attention to some Sup
oses legislative methods and onditons which VIII
,,biect this session unusually close scrutiny py
9be people not only of the State, but of the natGn
~, contest for the Speakership Of the Assembly.
1b,ch has developed much factional bitterness,
esnecially since Governor Hfgsinss formal an
no,ncement some time ago of his preference Tor
1ames W WadswOrth. IT.. of Livingston county
- The candidate for that office, is expected TO be
ended al the of the Republican Assembly
,nen-eIect tomorrow evening The fact that the
.,o,ubrcans are In overwhelming majority in the
er Assembly makes the nomination of that party
equivalent to election. Whether the factonal
strlpeIe will be carried in matters of legisla-
to ar Of general party policy after the new
Shaker is elected remains to be seen
RECESS OF WEEK PROBABLE
Following the election of Speaker and the or
t7stion If the Assembly recess OF several
pronablv a week-will be taken, when the
80. c,aaker will arrange his schedule of com
-.,ttAe appointments Most Of the chairmen OF last
,sor,s important committees have been reelected
MI whether they any Of them viii be reappoht-
4v, 4Eaa eTal
ersonneI Of the committees are subjects Of widely
varying speculation.
= tbe senate few important changes are looked
for The senate at present constituted has an
otber wear of life. and the committee appoint
,,ents Of last year hold But in the interim
senator Henry S. Amber, OF the 18th District. mas
6tad and senator Peter Dooling. OF the 18th. has
been elected County Clerk Of New-York County.
81 there will be two new Senators-Sanrofo W
Sn7i,h of Chatham and John n Quinn. OF New
york Mr. Amber chairman OF the senate IN
sn-ance committee an all-important committee TINS
year and there is much interest in the question of
his successor in that office. The one generaIIy
mentioned for the place is Senator James = NC
Evan of Albany. Senator George r. Malby' OF
Ogdensburg is the senior Republican member OF
The insurance committee and leads Senator Nc
EVAN in the list Of its members. but he is already
chairman of the finance committee, and Is under
stood to have no desire either TO surrender that
craftsmanship or to assume the great burden Of
10 the committee on insurance.
The only state officer requised to be elected this
year ny the legislature is g Regent of the Univer-
sity for term OF eleven years to succeed 81.
Clair McKelway. whose term will expire April L
Senator Bracket has definitely announced that he
viii introduce at the outset OF the session reso-
luton requesting the resignation at least of one OF
the two present United States Senators from this
state especially on the ground Of evidence given
at the insurance investigation. It is impossible TO
forecast with any dehniteness the action o. the
legislature such resolution
Life insurance will, beyond a doubt, be the most
important feature of the session. The report OF
the Joint special investigating committee VIII pc
handed down in both houses early in the session.
with or soon followed by. the bills representing
the recommendations of the committee. What this
proposed legislation will include can only be sur
missed al this time. but these things may be re-
garded as fairly certain to be included:
The repeal or substantial amendment of section
bringing Of action against insurance company
without the consent and cooperation OF the At
increasing the responsibility and authority OF
spection and control with increased penalties for
rendering false misleading statements TO the
Prescrtbin- limitations on the investments Of in
llaS PTgoap on me inyesments Of saw
ings banks and trust funds
directors Of life insurance companies and prohio-
iting them and officers OF such companies rom
parties
Providing for the absorption or effective taxa
ton OF surplus. SO to curb or even prohibit the
institution OF deferred dividends"
protect the policyhoder from MISUNDERSTANDING or
eeeep9n as 70 The terms Of his nee aId me
Decisive regulation OF so-called industrial insur,
~, tnee ns especially with view OF reducing cost %
Some attempts to reduce the proportion OF lapses
held Of Industrial insurance u rance :,
ELECTORAL OR BALLOT REFORM
second subject OF scarcely less Importance
will be that Of electoral or ballot reform. with
view or simplifying, II possible. the form OF lhe
standard ballot in in elections in this state SO
as to make n possible for the voter indicate his
choice for each ofTice with utmost certainty ana
and al the time minimize the danger
OF invaldating the ballot by improper marking or
BY signs intended to evade the principle Of secrecy
The speed and accuracy Of the count by me elec
ton officers will be taken into consideration ana
the question the intent OF the law as 10 the re-
counting Of ballots counted without objection VIII
obably be settled beyond question
One or more so-called corrupt practices acts VIII
also proposed 70 prevent bribery al elections by
compelling the detailed publication of contributions
TO- and expenditures %, campaign committees am
prescribing penalties more effective in pracuce lh
those OF the present statutes for the punishment ot
individuals political parties found guilty OF cor
rupt dealings in connection with public elections
Il is probable that there will he an attempt 70
secure legislation enforce a recount OF the Vo' =
In some or all OF the districts Of New-York Clty 50
as to settle the contest of William Randolph Hearst
for the rnayoralty Of that city. constitutional la"
IN the legislature are discussing the power o.
The legislature pass such law after the oou' :
Of Appeals had decided against such course. nc
general opinion seems 10 be that the legiSlatu VI .
has power to do It. but whether II WIN enact -"
legislation remains be seen
1t IS certain that will be vigorous atteHP'
70 repeal or substantially amend the mortgage
tax aw enacted al the last session The opponents