The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-01-02
CAUCUS AT
ALBANY
Vote on Secret Ballot to Fore.
shadow Result.
FRANCHOT MAKES STIR
Superintendent Of Public Works
Says Wadsworth Cannot be
Defeated.

ALBANY, y. Y, Jan. The test OF
strength In the caucus Of Republican
assemblymen tonight will probably be
taken not directly In a vote upon the
candidates for the nomination for
speaker of the assembly. but upon the
question whether the vote on the speak
ershlp nomination shall be secret
vote.
In this statement. which represents
the situation NJ n late hour may be
summed up the late developments The
utmost resources of both sides IN the
contest are now concentrated upon that
single point. Its Importance Is evident
In the Hight Of the fact that the pledges
hitherto obtained from the individual
members OF the new assembly have
had reference only 10 the support OF
this candidate or that. The issue OF
secret ballot for speaker has visibly
disturbed all the comparative certain.
ties which had been supposed to exist.
Leaders OF the movement for the
nomination OF James W. Wadsworth
Jr., Of Livingston. who was selected
by Governor Higgins AZ his choice, ad-
nit that il they cannot prevent Sc
cret ballot they cannot secure Mr..
Wadsworth's nomination by the eau
Gus ON the other hand, the adherpnts
of Edwin A. Merritt. DR., OF 81. Law
renee changed their previous tactics OF
claiming that they could defeat Wads-
worth even II they could not elect Mer-
rltt and began 10 assert that they We're
certain of votes enough TO secure Sc
! cret ballot.
At last accounts the best informed
observers on both sides agreed that in
an open ballot or roll call Of Republic,
an assemblymen In the existing cond!-
ton of affairs Mr. Wadsworth would
he elected. Estimates of his majority
varied as the point OF view OF the per
SON estimating. Both sides agreed also
that upon a secret ballot the result
would be very different What such a
ballot would develop nobody prctends
to know.
That Mr.. Wadswortb's supporters
view the proposition OF "A secret ballot
with solicitude Is evident from a state
ment made late in the evening by SUI
perintendent of Public Works y. V. ".
Franchot, one of Governor Higgins
closest advisers. Mr. Franchot said:
There Is no change In the situation
An effort has been made by the friends
of Mr. Odell, including J. Calvin Nc
knight, recently Mr.. Harrman's pri-
yate secretary. To commit asSemblymen
to a secret ballot The friends of Mr.
WadswOrth are able TO put but one
construction upon this scheme and that
Is, the desire on the part Of those OPP
posed TO him TO use money for the pur-
pose Of encompassing his defeat.
Even with the use of money they do
not believe this can be accomplished.
The supporters of Mr. Wadsworth. rep
resenting the vast majority of the Re
publicans of the state, cannot he in
fluenced by any such means
The statement of Mr.. Franchot soon
became known about the Ten Eyck
corridors and produced profound sen.
sation. Neither Mr.. Odell nor Mr.. Nc
Knight would reply To Or comment
upon 1t. but Senator Malby said:
II should say in reply 10 the state
ment of Mr. Franchot that Ii is the
policy of this state in the interest Of
| honesty 10 have a secret ballot. Inas-
much as the executive, his superintend-
ent of public works, Mr. Franchot, and
other members of his administration
have sandbagged every assemblyman
from Montauk Point to Niagara Falls
to secure his vote for Mr. Wadsworth,
! justice and prudence demand that
these men should for once have an OPP
portunity to vote as they want to.
"As for the use of money the charge
comes with i'll grace from candidate
who is himself several times a million
aire."
State Chairman Odell has arrived, but
had little to say except that in his
opinion Mr.. Merritt was steadily gain
ing in strength and would secure the
nomination. Mr.. Odell announced that
he would say nothing for publication.
The attitude of the members from
Greater New York is regarded by both
sides as exceedingly important and
the Endorsement of Mr.. Wainwright Of
Westchester ut the conference there Is
the subject of much discussion.