New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-01
HIGGINS DENIESRUMORS
NOT OPPOSING INQUIRY.
Not Responsible for Delay, He Says
-Kilburn Resignation Report.
IBy Telegraph 70 The tribune


Albany. Jan 31.-GOvernor Higgins tonight
denied explicitly reports in circulation here thas
the Senators who trying 70 shut or rhs
Inquiry into the State Banking Department wers
representing him expressing his views. Any
such action on their own initiative he said.
and responsibility in case the investigation w3s
delayed prevented would not rest on him He
declared that he had expressed his views freely
on legislative Investigations
Opposition TO the resolution presented by ths
Assembly Committee on BANKS is being pushed
by certain Senators in every possible way Ac-
tion on the resolution by the Senate Finances
Committee certainly Will not be taken besors
next Tuesday. according to Senator Maiby.
chairman OF that comrnittee. and he Is not a.:
all certain that the resolution Will be acted on
then. He freely expresses his disfavor at tbs
idea, and says he will continue 70 be against it.
Senator Raines is another who does not ap-
prove OF the resoution's passage. and Senator
Stevens does not think investigation neces,
sary. although he is not strongly opposed TO one-
Reports in circulation credited Senator Raines.
the majority leader. with representing the adj
ministTaton attitude the inquiry. saying that
he expressing in his own opposition the
opposition OF Governor Higgins. who disliked
any attempt az investigation. because IL wou12
touch Superintendent KiIburn. his close friend
These reports the Governor denied. In answe.
to question he said:
ator is representing my administration IN op-'
posing the investigation of any department. ths
legislature thinks proper to investigate. So far
as know. he and all the other Senator's who are
opposed TO this resolution are acting wholly on
their own initiative In making such protests"
do you consider that IN case the oppositiort
succeeds IN shutting of the inquiry the re-
sponsibility for 1t will rest on you. as has been
charged" the Governor was asked
"T have been expecting for some little tins
that the responsibility for the condition OF tho
Assembly staircase would be charged TO the ex-
ecutive. he replied. smiling II can assure yo1
that not in any way responsible for these
conditions have expressed my views fully on
the subject OF legislative Investigations Thess
views have not changed.
II might also make the blanket statement that
there those who are willing 70 believe tha-
things here are done through subterraneaI
passages rather than openly and squarely as
they are"
One member OF the Senate Finance Com
nittee declared to-day that he had not met
many members Of the Senate who seemed eager
for the resolution TO be reported TT seems
have gone into cold storage now he said; bus
remember, the Governor has the key TO the ices
box"
Reports were heard around the Capitol to-days
that Superintendent KiIburn was likely TO SOLVE
the dilemma by presenting his resignation IN
was said that recently he had been considerins
other employment. These reports could not bs
| confirmed According TO the supporters OF ths
demand for an inquiry. however. his resignation
would hardly help the situation now Indeed. is
would rather accentuate the public demand for
an inquiry by creating the impression that he
had been afraid TO face the results OF an in
quiry.
The resolution seems likely 10 sluunber IN ths
keeping OF the Senate Finance COMMITTEES for
considerable time, and the speculation now is as
70 what it will contain if it should be reported
The opposition TO the inquiry consists OF two
distinct branches, those opposed for political
reasons. because they think it unwise TO enter
on a State campaign with record Of wholesals
investigations OF State departments and those
who fear for personal reasons the results of a
searching inquiry.
Senator Marks created a slight furry BY serv-
ing notice on Senator Malby that he would move
for the discharge OF the Finance COMMITTEES
from further discussion of his resolution for in
vesrigation of ali State departments IL il were
not reported soon. Senator Malby said that he
had had no request from Senator Marks for ac-
ton on the resolution, was customary, bur
he supposed such formal notice was equivalent
to request
81 would inform the Senator" retorted sena-
tor Marks. that I always want action. irane-
diate. If possible on any bill or resolution in
troduce This resolution is so important 70 the
public that immediate action would not be I'M
proper"
Well the Finance Committee will meet next
Tuesday" said Senator Maloy "and the Sena-
tor can present whatever views he has then"
Senator Marks's "Anti-grafting" bill. which
he tried hard TO have passed. is still in general
orders.