New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-09

and in his desire TO make the Republican party
of service to the people of the state.
THE President is for the whole Hughes pro-
gramme," said Congressman Cocks in an inter-
val of his labors He realizes that this is a
test of the party We want to PASS the utilities
bill as the Governor wants it,
What about the apportiOnment question:"
Il think the President approves a thorough
reapportionment too"
NO COMBINATION, SAYS SPEAKER
There never has been any combination be-
tween myself and Senator Raines or anybody
else, with the object OF defeating Governor
Hughes or his policies" said Speaker Wads-
worth tonight Il cannot deny this too en-
phaticaly" he added and all statements to the
contrary are unwarranted and untrue"
Mr.. Wadsworth said with emphasis that he
had not tried to effect any combination in the
Assembly TO defeat the public utilities bill or
to fight it. He denied the reports that he was
organizing opposition it or had had any idea
TO organize any such opposition The Speaker
said he believed the utilities bill needed amend
ment in some particulars. and still held that the
power of removal should be vested in the
Governor alone, but if the majority of his party
thought otherwise he would not insist on his
views
The Speaker, with Assemblymen Merritt,
Prentice Wainwright and Moreland, had a short
noon. The Merritt utilities bill was discussed in
some particulars. The question of the power Of
removal not brought up An amendment
TO the bill regarding holding companies
suggested by OF the Assemblymen, and a
long discussion on this problem resulted. The
Governor, however, was opposed to any change
and it was tacitly agreed that the part of the
bill affecting holding companies should remain
as it is. No other important points
taken up
The utilities bill will be reported by the As
sembly Rules Committee after its meeting to-
morrow, and will go to the hands of the printer
Immediately. a caucus of the assembly will be
held Monday night and the bill will pass the
Assembly the following morning.
II do not think dynamite could stop the pas
sage Of the utilities bill now" remarked
legislator tonight and 1 think the bill will
be passed practically as the Governor desires it."
LEGISLATOR EXPLAINS VIEWS.
This legislator. who has been known all the
session a strong supporter of Governor
Hughes. and whose reputation and integrity
have never been challenged, explained his views
of the bill and his position on it.
Il viii vote for the bill It is" he said. be
cause I think it will do good even In it's present
condition, but think il is badly drawn and will
work good deal of harm However. next year
damage will be for only one year. The main
features of the bill are unquestionably good. but
do not think il has been considered in detail
enough. 1t has been drawn by four men-Cov-
ernor Hughes Dean Hufcut, Senator Page and
AsseInblyman Merritt Now, Governor Hughes
has naturally not had time to consider carefully
all the details of the bill. Senator Page and As
semblyman Merritt have yielded to every sug-
gestion Of the Governor without attempting to
urge their opinions the opinions of others
against his. That is wrong.
y'ar
part of the bill carefully. feel assured 1t would
be amended in many minor but because of the
vast importance OF the bill really important
points. He has not had this time, and conse-
quenty the bill. drawn as IL is by men who are
not experts in the subjects with which 1t deals
is filled with small errors. I fear more for its
effect on the commission than any damage II
may do to railroads corporations. l believe
when the bill is in operation. its provisions VIII
so overwhelm the commission with work that
serious harm will be done.
There several Of its fundamental feat
ures that subject debate and careful
consideration yet will be called to swal-
low this bill IL is without having a chance to
have a free and intelligent discussion Of II.
That's what object to.
orders to their Assembymen and Senators to
vote for the bill the Governor wants it, and
stampede for the purpose Of shutting your eyes
and swallowing It,
Herbert Parsons Woodruff and others are
behind 1t and showing il along It's a ques-
ton Of climbing the Hughes band wagon or
going directly against your party and public
opinion"
Has there been any Raines-w adsworth COM
blnation to fight the Governor" he asked. |
Not for a minute" the reply. "Wads- |
worth has never formed any combination with |
Raines. or attempted to get an organization to- |
gether in the Assembly to fight the Governor. OF |
course. the Speaker has differed from the Gov |
ernor the Kelsey question and does differ |
from him on some points on the utilities bin |
but he has not attempted to organize opposition /
TO It"