New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-21
NEW SENATE ELECTION?
Governor Considering Subject
JacLcson's and WhaIen's Position.
IRr Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Albany. May Ex-Governor Hughes declared
to-day in answer TO queries that he was giving
careful consideration 10 the question OF the ne
cessity for a special election of Senators this
fall He declined to say whether he had reached
any decision that question but the mere
fact that he has taken up the affair at all was
enough 10 send a slight shiver Of apprehension
around the Senate circle No doubt is felt by
the Senate as to the opinion OF the Attorney
Generals office. and the Secretary OF State IS In
harmony with that idea The chief fear of many
Senators is that the Governor, also, after
careful consideration Of this subject, will come
TO believe an election necessary.
Immediately after the decision of the Court of
Appeals on the apportionment Of last year, with
its verdict that the sitting Senate senate
de facto Governor Hughes, on information. with
out careful study Of the opinions and the
whole case told Senator Raines that he thought
no special election would be necessary. Since
then, though, he has heard enough other things
and his study Of the apportionment question has
been broad enough 10 cause him to take up this
kindred question
AS The Tribune told several weeks ago, the
sentiment Of the Attorney Generals Office is
that special election Of Senators will be neces-
sary because the present Senate though declared
de facto, can only hold the place until properly
elected Senate be seated, which must be done ar
would be this fall. This belief probably will be
conveyed at the proper time to the Secretary OF
state In formal opinion.
Secretary Whalen said to-day that the reap
poruonment question and the special election
problem had not come before him officially and
he would leave them TO the future.
The Legislature still is in session." said he,
and no reapportionment bill has been presented
yet II will be time enough to talk about this
when the Legislature adjourns. OF course, If
have 10 take up this subject shall call on the
Attorney General for opinion Il. as he is
my natural legal adviser"
Any special election Of Senators would in all
probability be fought in the courts in behalf OF
some of the present Senators
Senator Tully said tonight that the first meet
ing or the Reapportionment Committee would
De held Tomorrow morning. The committee will
II may be presented this week. Many legislators
tonight were discussing a scheme of reappor-
tionment which is the latest of many suggested
and TO many people here seems most equitable
IN It's adjustment OF counties and the resulting
number of inhabitants in each district. This
plan is in part like that described several days
ago In The Tribune. Instead of putting Rich
mond County with Nassau and Suffolk as the
Raines plan would do II shifts Richmond TO
Rockland, where ii before last years reap
poruonment and takes Putnam from the present
10Th District 10 go with Orange. leaving that
district Duchess and Columbia.
In the central part of the state this plan would
olsrupt Senator Cassidy's district, the present
4oth, completely, and readjust the surrounding
districts. somewhat affecting Senator Wilcox's
Senator Tully's Senator Raines's and the Wacs-
worth-Stevens territory. These districts under
thls plan, would be comprised Of these counties
Senator Wilco1s, Tompkins SCHUYLER Cavupa
and Yates; Senator Raines's district Ontario
Wayne and Seneca; Senator Tully's Steuben
anc ChemuBg and the Wadsworth- Stevens ter
ntory' Livingston. Wyoming. Genesee and Allie
sahy. with such an apportiOnment Senator
Cassidy hardly could be returned TO the Senate
put Senator Cassidy recently has told his friends
mat u an epportionment acceptable TO the others
and TO Governor Hughes could be made by
wipng out his district, he would be willing 70
sacriEce MS own personal interests TO the states