New-York tribune., 1907-05-23
REAPPOk kTIONMENT UP.
THE CHIEF PROBLEM. NOV
Contest bay BE as Bitter as That
OUer KELSEY.
IRr Telegraph to The TrIsuns. l


contest between the wishes of Governor Hughes
and the inclination Of the Senate there was
over the Kelsey case, for the Governor has taken
his stand for a thorough reapportionnent. be-
lieving that only complete redistricting OF the
entire state would stand the test of the courts.
while the upstate Senators almost as one man
are unwilling to disturb the existing districts.
1t is probable that a caucus will be called early
next week Immediately after the Introduction OF
the reapportionment bill. take up this sub
ject What will be done then depends entirely
on the nature OF the bill presented The singular
harmony which prevailed within the caucus on
the utilities bill hardly would be duplicated on
this vexing question Hughes men who talked
over the probability of a caucus tonight said
that the Governor would have majority OF the
Republican Senators II it came 10 lineup
within the caucus, which would indicate his
victory ultimately the reappOrtionment ques-
ton
Governor Hughes's victory IN the passage OF
the utilities bill has been signal and coulplete.
Yet in the reappo-tionment affair he Is con-
frOnted with much the same combination Of mo-
tives behind the opposition TO his wishes which
actuated the Senators who voted to retain Otto
Kelsey against the Governors recommendation
for his removal There is the influence Of po-
litcal tradition. there is the active work OF po-
litcal leaders. far reaching in it's influence. and
there is the personal interest OF the upstate Sem
ators themselves who desire to retain the dis
tricts which they have mapped out to serve best
their own political and personal fortunes
ORGANIZATION WITH GOVERNOR
AS to the utilities bill. the Governor had the
Organization with him: and many persons here
considered Senator Rainess glorihcation OF
King Caucus as significant. On the reappor-
tionment question. despite the Endorsement OF
the Governors views by the Republican State
Committee. many sections of the organization
seem to be arrayed against the Governors ideas
of a state redstricting- The Senate itself is
wavering, not in respect TO what IL wants 10 oo'
but as TO what IL dares TO do.
Among Hughes supporters the question now
/ Is whether the Republicans after their complete
accord with the Governor on the utilities bill
will dare 10 break with him the apportion-
ment and as they conceive the situation. break
with the Governor over the Senate districts
| would not be difference of opinion on the part
of few Republicans. the Kelsey vote showed.
but breaking away of most of the Republicans
The subcommittee or the reapportionment COM
mittee will meet again tomorrow TO consider
| maps and plans It's members are much az
loss on the subject as most of the 9TH
| ers here In the last two three days
! there has been evident a keen desire. even
among members Of the Eeapportionrent COM
mittee. 10 adopt sort OF "compronlise' plan.
which. while 1T would not give the complete re-
| districting which the Governor has favored AMI
| would disturb few upstate districts was
consistent with joining Richmond and Rockland
counties yet would show effort to meet the
Governors wishes.
NOT MAN FOR COMPROMISES
Hughes men have little idea that the Governor
would approve such plan II IT passed the
ffa ir1,1c- HS ia
not man for compromises. especially on any
subject where he believes vital principles are at
stake On the other hand. Senator Raines still
seems to think that II Richmond we're Joined 10
Nassau and Suffolk counties. a constitutional
/ spportionment would result. and all the upstate
/ territory would be unchanged One member or
/ the reapportionment committee said tonight
that he believed firmly the committee finally
would adopt this scheme Various objections
political and otherwise. have been urged against
IT, II would make district of great size. far
| above the ratio. Again. it would endanger the
| solid Republicanisn OF the present 1st District
| by adding Democratic Richmond 10 Republican
| Nassau and Suffolk. 1t will be recalled that
| when Congressman Cocks and United states
| Attorney William J. Youngs were here recently
they expressed strong objections 10 this course
and their views taken TO reflect those or the
| President.
/ Probably the reapportionment bill will not De
n
| introduced before Monday night. although with
a great deal of hard work. or on sudden reso-
lution to take the Raines views. the committees
| could present the bill on Friday
Presentation of a bill changing Richmond to
/ Nassau and Suffolk. making only few
sb,rts upstate most of the Hughes men believe.
/ would he equivalent serving notice on the
| Governor that the Senate had decided to dis
| rasard completely his message on the subject
and his known views Such a bill. they feel
srra would be vetoed and if the Senate had ad-
tournsd meanwhile special session on reappor-
tionment and other subjects might be called
The MoreIand bill. giving the Governor power
10 investigate state departments. which passed
the Assembly yesterday. came TO the senate To-
dav It was advanced to third reading by
unanimous consent. and referred to the Finance
! Coron,ittee The expectation is that 1t will be
! reported early next week and passed
PROSPECT FOR RECOUNT NOT ROSY
/ On recount though, the prospect Is less rosy
The bill still is in general orders and while ousi-
rass sessions Of the Senate will be called to-day
/ o,. tomorrow. there now seems no chance for
its passage this week. and many here consider the
hin about dead. The most optimistic say it will
bs nassed lust before adjournment and as the
consensus OF opinion seems to make II city
hill" il then could be vetoed by Mayor Nc
! C1a,1ao after adjournment Of the Legislature.
| Nothing has been heard on the subject of bal
Iot reform since the Governors speech in Brook
,,,, Immediately after the meeting OF the state
! committed Legislators smile when IL is men
toned though few direct primary bills have
naar ranorted from committee recently. The much
rsaded amendments 10 the corrupt practices act.
4Ia tba limiting