New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-26
CRISIS NEAR I'm ALBANY
REPORTS OF A BREAK.
Organization to Back Kelsey against
Hughes. 1T Is Said.
IBy TeIeeraph 70 The Trihune.I ]


Albany. April 2j.-FOllOwing hard on the de-
liberate declaration to-day of John Raines ma
jOrity leader of the Senate. that he never would
vote to remove Superintendent Kelsey of the
Insurance Department. in accordance with Cow
ernor Hughes's recommendation. came state
ments purporting to represent views held in all
parts Of the state that the Republican organ
ization aIigning itself behind those Senator'S
who VIII support Kelsey against the Governor
Members OF the Republican State Committee and
others high in the cOunses of the "OId line lead
gave it their opinion that the Organiza-
tion men. high and low. had determined to make
a complete break with the Governor choosing
the Kelsey case the excuse.
Whether this rupture will end with the final
adjustment of the Kelsey trouble is a moot
point now To many the situation unfolded to-
day seemed only the beginning OF carefully
planned campaign having for its object the de-
feat of all the Governors reforms including the
successful emasculation Of the Public Utilities
bill. All this comes as no surprise to Governor
Hughes. He and those I'm his confidence have
watched closely careful working up OF sentf-
ment on the Kelsey case. so il could be easily
turned at it's food to overyvheim Othe9 plans.
Men who have studied legislative affairs for
years rOundIy declare that insurance companies
and traction interests have been at work
throughout the state with only thing in
mind-the defeat of the Hughes poIicies-and.
assert IIaL WIN the skill or long pfdCClC0 tleir
agents have played various motives to
arouse and maintain political opposition TO the
Governor in his own party
HUGHES WOULD REGRET RUPTURE
Nothing would cause Governor Hughes more
regret than rupture with the leaders Of ths
/ Republican organization. He considers himself
a loyal Republican, and wherever it could bs
reconciled with his duty he has acoeded to- tha
requests of Republican leaders But IN the
lines of conduct and the policies he has outlined
for himself the Governor stands immovabls-
Men close to him say that even breach with
his party's leaders could not drive him to change
I his position. and that in case these men chose
to take the offensive the Governor would abide
their decision and endure 'the chances OF the
war
The action Of the Senate judiciary COMMITTEES
/ on the Kelsey case to-day served as the focal
point for The sudden sensation which plunged
/ political circles here into confusion When the
committee met. in executive session. Senator
/ Page moved that the Governors recommends
tion that Kelsey be dismissed be concurred in.
/ Considerable discussion resulted. but the mo-
/ tion was dropped when Senator Armstrong de-
clared that the committee seemed evenly divid-
/ ed. Twelve members were present. Senator
Grady being away Senator Page then moved
that the Kelsey case be referred to the Senate
/ with recommendation by the committee On
! this vote was taken. resulting in tie Those
who voted for the motion. which IN effect was
voting to support the Governor. were Davis
! chairman; Page. Armstrong. Cobb. Hinman and
/ Taylor; those against. Raines. Aids. Smith.
Grattan. Cohalan and McCarren. Finally a
/ motion to take final action on the case Tues
/ day. when Senator Grady will be present. was
| carried unanimously
After the meeting Senator Raines was asked
| If Mr.. Kelsey would be removed
| Never by my vote.' he replied.
! Then you expect to vote to retain Kelsey?'
/ Il certainly do. have read every line Of the
/ testimony"
Where do the other members OF the commit
tee stand?"
Some are for him. Others are Ike pigs in a
pen-they wag their tails so fast you can't tell
I where they are"
REPUBLICANS VIEWS
Not an hour after Senator Raines had nnads
his staterent a Republican who has been in the
/ confidence % Republican leaders for many years
and who keeps in touch with political sentiment
| in every corner OF the state declared that the
/ organization prepared 10 break with the
Governor over the Kelsey case.
II don't know whether they win get away
with it," he declared IL it were any other 9Ov-
/ ernor with this combination against him cer-
tainy he would be defeated. but Hughes IL OF a
/ distinctly different type. know the attitude Oe
some Senators this question. don't know
/ what others win do. but have been hearing
/ lately the views Of men who dictate the attitude
/ of Senators. and these views are all on the Kel-
sey side.
\ 1T would hardly be Just to say that the sit-
uation was hard and fast alliance OF all
the leaders against the Governor 1t is 20 my
mind. rather a where the outs whatever
/ their past differences, are making common cause
! against the ms How far this will go IS be-
yond my ken at present. Sometimes IL seems
/ case IT VIII be only the beginning Of the war.
mnent.'
The man who ventured this pessimistic sum
ming up Of the case not interested in any
way in the Kelsey case Another man. close
friend Of Superintendent Kelsey gave pre-
/ ciseIy the same views on the probability or
an open break with the Governor on the Kelsey
affair.
/ RANK AND FILE WITH KELSEY"
! "Of course my sympathies are with Otto.
he said by way OF preface. but do not think
this has prejudiced my judgment and I give
il as my careful judgment that the rank and
file OF the enrolled voters in the counties the
county leaders. the members OF the state COM
mittee. and perhaps the men who are oe
| timber big enough to WELD influence all over
\ the state. are to a man behind Kelsey, AGAINST
/ the Governor. This does not necessarily mean
that the organization would be against his utfIi-
/ ties bill or those other parts OF his legislative
/ programme. This Kelsey case. to my view ls
a thing utterly distinct from the Governors Ses.
islative policies"