Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-22
KELSEY ISSUE THE CAUSE
Leaders Plan Probe, Which May Hold
Out Through Session.
ALL IN LINE EXCEPT ODELL
Vote in Open Senate Would Show
Two-Thirds to Remove Insur.
ance Man. ,.BA,.

ALBANY, N. Y, February oa.-The- re-
publican bosses who control the senate arc
going to give battle to the governor over
Kelsey. This was proved yesterday by Tn.
decision of the senate leaders to refer the
governors demand that the superintendent
OF insurance be removed without delay TO
the committee on insurance for investiga-
ton.
The plan Is to inaugurate long drawn
out inquiry into The insurance department
by the insurance committee and complicate
the situation under the pretense of giving
Kelsey a fair show" The real purpose Is
to humiliate the governor and rehabiIitate
the bosses. Failure will mean the complete
disintegration of the state republican ma
chine. .' -'f'.
The first step is an appeal to senators TO
sacrifice their personal necessities in tho
way of legislation, which their constituents
demand, and the surrender of the patron
age they control in the interest of the rs-
publican organization. Several senator's,
though less than the number required. have
agreed to the personal sacrifice. ..,,...aart,.
No Doubt Now Of Fight.
There is no doubt a battle is imminent
1t Is surprising In view of the records of
the men who have always placed personal
advantages above machine loyalty.
All the old bosses are in line except
Odell. He is not convinced the leaders will
stand by their colors at the critical mo-
ment. =,
But other bosses, realizing they are fight
ing for their political lives, are oc0ncers-
trating all their power on the senate TO
stiffen its backbone to the fighting pftCla
One of the leaders said last night: =
I'VE have seventeen men who can bs
depended on. At least, they say they can
be. This does not include democra 10
,4AA UyA An,,st IN 10
to do without them. because this is onr
own family row. II we have to draw any
democratic votes We can get enough TO
win and will take them"
Long Delay the Plan.
The recommendation Of the leaders of
the judiciary committee for an investiga-
ton by the insurance committee, II ratified
by the senate, will mean an investigation
that may be strung over number of
weeks. pending which all legislation could
be held up. In this way only could the
governor be defeated. A vote in the open
senate would show more than two.tliirds.
for removal. But vote by the senate il
precisely what the bosses are determined
to prevent.
ton the managers Of the rebellion will in
sure the retention In Office OF Kelsey until
at least the end Of the session.
The personnel OF the Insurance commit-
tee Is favorable to this plan. The members
are Fancher, Page, Tully. Wilcox. Grattan,
Agnew and Hooker. republicans, and Ha-
senfiug (McCarren) and Sohmer (SulliyRn).
OF these men. only Page. fully and Aghew
are really In sympathy with the COVER
nors program. The others are susceptible
to bosses. ~-- ..-.,
The Kelsey forces received some note
worthy recruits yesterday. The principal
one was N. v. v. Franchot, former super
intendent Of public works and premier OF
the Higgins Kitchen cabinet" Assura
ances were received also from Quisg, Kill
burn, Hendricks, Black, Warren, Ward.
Barnes and all the salient influences OF
insurance system"
The governor will be confronted by an
imposing array of seasoned fighting mens
determined to resist his further encroach-
ment on their political preserves.