Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-01-03
WADSWORTH N q
SPEAKER mi 10RK
Victory for Higgins N 6minee in Al
bany Caucus -0deIl Meets
Defeat.

ALBANY, n. V, Jan. 3.-James w
Wadsworth, Jr.. of Livingston county,
son of Congressman james w. Wads'
worth and son-in-law Of the late Sec
rotary of State John Hay, was nomi-
mated last night by the Republican as
sembly caucus for speaker of the as
sembly and will be elected to that of
fee today. when the assembly con
venes. His Democratic opponent will
be George NJ. Palmer of Schoharie, who
for many years has been the minority
leader OH the assembly floor.
Colonel Archie T. Baxter of ChemunS
was nominated for a twelfth term as
clerk of the assembly.
The vote was taken by open roll call,
and there was no attempt to secure a
secret ballot, as had been expected.
This result brings to a close one of
the most remarkable speakership cam
paigns of recent years, characterized
by marked fractional bitterness and
some unusual features. Mr.. Wads-
worth was not among the candidates
originally in the field, but was propos-
ed by Governor Higgins in a formal
statement and, in addition to the sup
mort of the governor and his friends,
was regarded as having the approval
of President Roosevelt.
Mr.. Merritt had the backing of State
Chairman b. b. Odell, Jr., and his
r..a,1, 4, +ho eto+a' orUonization who
fought with marked determination for
his election or, failing that, for the de-
feat of Mr.. Wadsworth.
The Republican assembly caucus was
called to order by Mr.. Phillips (Alle-
gany). chairman of the caucus commit
tee, and Mr.. Mead albany was elect
ed chairman of the caucus. He spoke
briefly of the Importance of harmony
and creditable action on the part of the
caucus.
Mr.. Wade (Chautauqua) introduced a
resolution calling for the nomination of
a speaker and specifying that the vote
should be taken by open roll call, each
member of the caucus as his name was
called rising to name his candidate.
The resolution was adopted without a
roll call.
Assemblyman S. Percy Hooker Gen
esee). who was himself a candidate for
speaker, nominated James w. Wads-
worth, Jr., of Livingston. He first eX-
pressed deep regret at the death of s..
Fred Nixon, remarking that no man
..,Il Ia,., A.. GIl hs, ,1nnn IIn thor,
placed in nomination the name of Mr..
whose name was well
coined with applause. He referred to
him as having been cordially commend
ed by the press of the state.
Mr.. Gates (Oneida) in a brief speech
presented the name of Edwin A.. Mer-
rift, Jr. (St. Lawrencel.
Mr.. Stanley New York; nominated j..
Mayhem Wainwright (Westchester).
Mr.. Apgar (Westchester) in seconding
the nomination of Mr.. Wainwright said
did not sympatlize with the criti-
cisms of President Roosevelt and Gov
Higgins. which had been made
the contest, but believed the as
should elect it's speaker, free
from outside interference. He pointed
to the many cases of precedent for
a man of experience and to the
fact that Mr.. Wainwright was entering
upon his fifth term.
Fred J. Gray est. Lawrence) second
ed the nomination of Mr.. Merritt.
Mr.. Agnew (New York;, seconding
nomination of Mn NT11cu-nrth cniJ
he had maintained that it was the right
of the metropolitan district to have the
speakership, but present conditions
made that impructicable.
Mr.. Hartman detied any man who
should vote for Mr.. Wadsworth to
honestly that he believed he was
voting for the man best fitted for the
speakersllip. Any man who did not so
vote was violating his oath and betray-
ing the interests of his constituents.
The executive, he declared, Just at
present has forgotten to mind his own
business" lie paid a high tribute to
Mr.. Wainwright for his character and
The vote was then taken. and Mr..
was nominated on the first
ballot, Which gave him 70 votes, Mer-
rift got IA and Wainwright 10: total
vote, 104; necessary to Il choice, "a.
Mr.. Merritt moved to make the nomi-
nation unanimous.
Mr.. Wainwright seconded the motion.
He, too, thanked those who had sup
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