New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-13
HOT ASSEMBLY DEBATE.
INQUIRY OF MILITIA UP.
Wainwright Bill Probably W'M Be
Passed Y'O-day.

Aibanv. March 1.-THE state National Guard
was the subject OF bitter debate in the Assem-
bly, thie morning when the Wainwright bill.
which provides for a legislative investigation, of
the guarG and possible amendments to the Mill
tar Code. came up for second reading. Assem-
blyman Cuvillier denounced the guard cor
Turt and inefficient" and a disgrace to the
Stale OF New York" He referred 10 the con-
dact Of the list Regiment during the Spanish
War, OF which BE at that lime member
IN no complimentary lerms. "Al the officers Of
that regiment should have been court-mar-
sailed" he said. President Roosevelt did have
'he lieutenant colonel court: nlartialled, and he
should have been shot"
Assembiyman Frisbie I'm reply 20 NJ. Mer-
ritt's assertion that he would not vote for the
messurl unless there were specf: charges
against he guard said that officers Of the guard
ordered supplies for their men fror. concerns
IN which they were financially interested. and
thst officers also employed men il arnories or
the condition that the employees shouiG turn over
20 them part Of their salaries He said that
some officers carried fake" names on their pay
rolls and pocketed The salaries Of these sup
posed employees"
ON the other hand, MT wainwright, who in
trOaucei the measure. said that he die it in
spirit Of hostility the guard. that he believed
the militia would come out Of the investigation
with fying coors. and that as former officer
Of the guard he was proud of the state militia
and believed them honest and efficient
The debate gave Paradise Jimmy" NOliver.
the minority leader. a chance for which he has
probably yearned for many a day He defended
''Our noble heroes of the guard With a pyro-
fechnic display of cheap, melodramatic words
that probably has seldom been ccuallsG in either
branch of the state Legislature Although The
minority leaders feelings were SO greatly moved
in behalf Of the gallant militia" he did not
allow that 10 destroy his shrewdness as Tam
many politician. as he ende2yored TO make pc
litical capital ont of the bill by asking that the
vote be a party one.
Mr.. Frisbie. while urging that there was
grave need OF an investigation. said that he was
not hostile 10 the guard, but wanted to see every
evidence Of graft eliminated from it, He re-
Serred again the question OF state control Of
armories.
The moment graft enters into the military
organization he said III destroys its efficiency.
The military code should be revised. At present
a. gives line officers too much power. in the or
dering Of supplies. Last year the National
Guard cost the state over $4,OO0.O00. l want to
know where that money went to- what it wen:
for. So far, there has been no adequate az
counting for it, ] want TO the support of
armories looked into. think it should be On
The state, not on the county in which an
attempt 10 make political capital out OF H. The
Republican party has always been loyal 10 the
militia"
AR. Oliver interrupted him TO say that the
city Of New York wanted maintain its own
srmOries. that they always had done so, and
had paid $50 out of every 500 10 the support
Of the entire National Guard Of the state be-
sides Mr.. Frisbie then added TO his charges
against the National Guard that liquor
often sold in the armOries. and that there We're
GROWER parties Countenanced by the officers.
Mr.. Cuvier offered an amendment putting
alsar- In
Vestigating committee. These officers were 10
be appointed in place Of the four appolntees
the bill authorizes Governor Hughes 10 make.
They are 10 be designated Tor tins duty by the
Secretary Lof Mar. Mr.. Wainwright objected
20 the amendment and il was finally decided
that the amendment should be printed with the
bin tp-moTFow's calendar and that the bin
would then come up FOR second and third read
ings special order.
Mr.. Oliver denounced Mr. CuVillier's assertion
that the condition of the National Guard
deplorable as vile SANDER" Then, turning 10
Mr.. Wainwright. he said:
4 recognize the sldful legislator and the ac-
cOmplished National Guardsman in this. You
Introduce this not as a resolution. but as bill.
You offer the Governor an inducement. and get
him TO crack the whip and drive your party
into line behind il. What assurance have we
that the Governor win not appoint four Senator
stevens or four Senators ANYBODY else on the
investigating committee 10 shame and disgrace
the brave boys in the National Guard?'
Mr.. Wainwright repudiated Mr.. CuvilleT's
statements about the condition of the guard.
He emphasized the fact THAI he had no charges
sn mind when he drew the bill
Il repeat he said. my opinion that an in
Vestigation will help 10 put the guard on an
even higher plane OF efficiency than Il is at
present. Moreover. il VIII familiariZe some OF
our legislators with militia affairs and thus
enable the Senate ana Assembly 20 Vo-e with
more intelligence on military matters. Each
year are called on 10 pass some Very ina
pOrtant bills pertaining 10 the militia of which
we know little nothing Recent legislation
in Congress has demanded a higher state OF
efficiency in the National Guard OF the different
states. We must keep up 10 the standard. and
we must improve our present standing II
20 reap the full benefits Of the Dick bill
Mr.. Foley. the Hearst man from Niagara be-
coming tired Of the debate. jumped to his feet
snd demanded that the House get down 10 bust
ness and not waste any more time" He then
moved the previous question, whether the bill
should go TO third reading. Before Mr. More
land could make any reply 10 this breach Of
parliamentary courtesy Mr. Oliver proceeded
10 discipline his refractory member with more
force than politeness. He advised him to keep
quiet and warned him thar in ilse near future
he would be treated 10 a dose of his own med-
cine" The Independence League men have
the session by their failure 10 observe ..parlia-
mentary etiquette" for Mr.. Oliver is nothing If
not "cortuous."
Finally Mr.. Moreland. To close the debate
moved that the bill be placed the calendar
with Mr. CuVile.'s amendment printed below
g. This done. and the bill viii be q special
order for Tomorrow morning. IL will then be
passed, probably without amendment
-Four Tammany men have said that they will
be prepared 10 offer amendments in the morn
ing but il IS improbable that any Of them viii
be adopted.
TO CUT OFF LEGISLATORS FEES.