Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-03
WADSWORTH WINS FIGHT
Higgins Candidate Nominated for Speaker
by New York Republican Caucus
MANY UNUSUAL FEATURES IN CONTEST
Edwin A. Merritt. who Had Backing
of state Chairman Odeu,
Receives But Fourteen
Votes.

ALBANY, n. Y. Jan. flames w.
Wadsworth, jr., Of Livingston county son
OF Congressman James w. Wadsworth of
the Thirty-fourth congressional district
and son-in-law of the late John Hay, sec
retary of state, nominated tonight by
the republican caucus for speaker of the
assembly and will be elected to that Office
tomorrow when the assembly convenes. His
democratic opponent will be George NJ
Palmer of Schohari, who for many years
has been the minority leader on the as
sembly floor
Mr.. Wadsworth had IS out of 1Ol votes
cast in the caucus. Edwin A. Merritt, jr
OF st. Lawrence receiving IA and ]. NJ
Wainwright of Westchester 15 The entire
strength of the republican side in the new
assembly, lO1 in ALL was present, but none
of the three candidates voted.
The vote was taken by open roll call and
there no attempt to secure a secret
ballot as had been expected
This result brings to close one of the
most remarkable speakership campaigns Of
recent years characterized by marked fac
tional bitterness and some unusual features
Mr.. Wadsworth was not among the candi-
dates originally in the field. but was pro-
posed by Governor Higgins in a formal
statement, and In addition to the support
OF the governor and his friends, was re-
garded as having the approval of President
Roosevelt.
Mr. Merritt had the packing OF Chairman
b. B. Odell, jr., and his friends i'm the state
organization, who fought with determina-
tion for his election, or, failing that. for
the defeat of Wadsworth.
Mr.. Wainwright stood openly in opposition
to what he charged was improper influence
of the executive in a purely legislative mat
ter He had the support of a number of
the New York City members, especially
those republicans who were also on the
municipal ownership ticket
After learning the result of the caucus
Governor Higgins said:
am neither disappointed nor surprised
The voice of the people and of the press
has been heard here and the representatives
of the people in the assembly have in my
opinion followed the sentiment expressed
Said former Governor Odel tonight:
have no comment to make on the action
of the republican caucus, except to say that
am gra teful for the % votes. | am not at
all disheartened by the result.
Both houses of the Legislature will con-
vene at noon tomorrow. After the organi-
cation of the assembly the annual message
Of Governor Higgins will be read and the
Legislature will adjourn probably for one
week
After Mr.. Wadsworth's nomination, which
later was made unanimous, he said:
1t is natural that the thought uppermost
In my mind at this moment is the realiza-
tton of the tremendous burden of RESPONSE
bility which by. your action tonight win un-
doubtediy be placed upon my shoulders
! tfhink you must All iealize tlfat the iegis
lature OF 1906 will be subjected to the very
closest scrutiny by the people of the state
Grave questions of public and party policy
Will come before us i'm the assembly and
when the session Is ended to us republicans
viii he accorded the credit of achievement
or the odium of failure.