Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-01-04
HIS CANDIDATE FOR SPEAKER OF
NEW YORK LEGISLATURE.
is BEATEN I'D.
DEPEW ASKED TO QUIT
Senator Is Criticised in Resolution
Presented to New York Law Making
Body Governor Higgins Touches
on Insurance in His Message to tho
New Legislature.

New Legislature.
Albany, N. ", Jan. 81 Senator
Bracket Of Saratoga, soon after
the legislature convened today, In
troduced resolution demanding
of Chauncey NJ. Depew his resig-
nation as United States senator
from this state.
The resolution calling for the
resignation of Depew, was later
withdrawn.
James w. Wadsworth Jr, was
elected speaker of the assembly,
receiving the entire republican
vote.
Albany, N. Y, Jan. 3.James w.
Wadsworth, Jr., of Livingstone coun-
.ty, son of Congressman James w.
Wadswortl- of the Thirty-fourth con-
gressional district, and son-in-law OF
the late John Hay. secretary of state,
was nominated last night by the re-
publican assembly caucus for speaker
of the assembly, and was elected to
that office todoy, when the & assem-
bly, convened. His democratic oppo-
snent was George M. Palmer, Oh scho-
harie, who for many years has been
minority leader on the assembly
floor.
Mr.. Wadsworth had rs out of 104
votes cast in the caucus, Edwin Al.
Merritt, Jr., of st. Lawrence, receiving
Ia, and J.. M. Wainwright of West
chester Is. The entire strength
the republican side in. the new
bly,, 107 In all, was presentS
OF the three candidates voted,
No Secret Voting.
The vote was taken by open roll
call, and there was no attempt to se-
cure q secret ballot, as had been ex-
pected This result brings to close
one of the most remarkable speaker
ship campaigns of recent years, char
acteriYed by marked factional bitter
ness and some unusual features. Mr..
Wadsworth was not among the can
didates originally in the field but was
proposed by Governor Higgins In
formal statement, and in addition to
the support Of the governor and his
friends was regarded as having the
approval of President Roosevelt.
Odell Backed Merritt.
Mr.. Merritt had the backing Of
State Chairman B. B. Odell, Jr., and
his friends In the state organization
who fought with determination for his
| election, or, failing that, for the ~
feat Of Mr.. Wadsworth.
| Mr.. Wainwright stood openly in op-
position to what he charged was I'M
proper influence of the executive in a
purely legislative matter He had the
support of a number Of the New York
City members, especially those republic
cans who were on the municipal own
ership ticket.
After learning the result of the eau
Gus Governor Higgins said:
II am neither disappointed nor sur
i prised. 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"
II have no comment to make on the
action of the republican caucus" said
\ Former Governor Odell last night, Tex
cept to say that | am grateful for the
a Itwenty-nine votes. am not at all dis
heartened by the result
WadsWorth counseIs Care.
i After Mr.. Wadsworth's nomination,
which later was made unanimous. he
said:
at is natural that the thought upper
most in my mind at this moment is the
i realization of the tremendous burden
of responsibility which by your action
tonight will undoubtedly be placed
upon my shoulders.
'T think you all must realize that
the legislature 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 in the assembly, and when
the session is ended, to us republicans
will be accorded the credit of achieve
ment or the odium Of failure"
Higgins on Insurance.
] Governor Higgins in his message to
{ the New York legislature tod-y, urged
n drastic insurance law, limited at the
4 necessity of an investigation Of other
) forms Of insurance than life, sucn as
!, assessment associations, accident In,
surance companies, cooperative fire
q insurance companies and the IKE
After pointing out the necessity fol
legislation on this matter the govern
or said:
Should Guard Funds.
"The funds of insurance companies
!, should be sacredly safeguarded fol
a the policy holders by the state ant
every element Of personal gain should
: ha eliminated from their rnauppa