New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
SITUATION AT ALBANY.
) PHILLIPS HITS SENATE.
Democratic Support Might Pass
Wadscorthis 4pportionment Plan.
fRy TELEGRAPH 70 The TrIbune.l

fBy Telegraph 10 The Tribunel
Albany, June S-To some extent the feeling
between the two houses of the Legislature
which underlies the reapportionment blockade
was indicated to-day, when Assembyman Phil
lips. rising a question Of personal privilege,
denounced the Senate and declared that the
Assembly not holding up adjournment. That
ne charged 10 the Senate Itself, which, he said
had dawdled along at the beginning Of the year
when the lower house was taking the initiative
with important bills.
His speech, IN sense. was a defence Of the
Speaker. whose attempt to overthrow the Senate
apportonment Is being denounced now on all
sides. From all parts of the state are coming
protests at his course. Seemingly the loyal As
semblymeu his only friends. and they are
making common cause with him because OF
their resentment at what they term unwarranted
snubs from the Senate all the year. How Ions
the AssemblyTnen will stand by Speaker Wads
worth In the face Of the antagonism his course
Ia raising in their home counties is & problem.
Many upstate papers are filled with criticism of
his "selfshness" and political brigandage."
This is bound TO have some effect on the Assem-
blymen themselves. but to-day their talk against
the Senate a body and the Tully apportion-
ment plan more bitter than ii has yet been.
Indeed The situation as a whole is more serious
than it appeared in the beginning because of the
support which the Democrats are giving TO the
Speaker.
The legislative procedure which must be fol-
lowed 4 the deadlock continues 50 that COM
promise plan Is impossible gives the WadsWorth
people a chance 10 Overset the Tully plan in the
Senate Republican caucus. According TO present
arrangements the Assembly viii pass the Wads-
worth bill Monday night and send it the
Senate Conference committees representing the
TWO houses VIII meet Tuesday. How long they
VIII strive 10 effect a compromise depends some
what on the sentiment in their districts as they
learn 1t between now and that time. At any
rate If all hope Of effecting the compromise is
exhausted, the further procedure is that the
conference committees report TO their respective
caucuses.
Thus the question is put anew before the Sen
ale caucus, practically breaking the erect or
the previous caucus Some of the politicians
who have been studying this phase Of the sub
Ject conceive that ii would not be Impossible IN
the circumstances to have a bolt from the eau
Gus Of enough Senators 10 compel the Senate 10
pass the Wadsworth plan. Granting that SEN
ator McCsrren and Senator Grady could muster
the full Democratic strength against the IuIly
plan-l9 votes-only seven more would be needed
10 overthrow that scheme. Certainly the pros
pect is full of possibilities and the Speaker IS
in such temper that he and the men working
with him are not overlooking any possibilities.
II VIII he recalled tnat IN the Senate caucus
eight voted for the Cobb alternative plan.
Most people here believe that Senator Emerson.
the chief protestant against the Iu!!y plan,
would jump at any chance 10 break away from
ii in another caucus.
Senators Aids Hooker Wemple Knapp, and
perhaps Franchot it is thought would be likely
to stand against the Tully plan, also, If Speaker
Wadsworth would his influence with the
ing in a compromise scheme.
Assembyman Phillips, one Of the Speakers
heuJenants in the tight, expressed the Speakers
sentiments adequately on his defence OF the
Assembly
: "On this question Of reapportionment" said
.Ahe, nothing was done BY the Senate plan
! fyas submitted until last Tuesday. The Senate
/caucused Tuesday afternoon plan which
this House knew nothing about. Yet in spite Of
the fact that the Senate has been responsible for
delay in adjournment of at least q month, we
accused of delaying adjournment at expense
Of 5000 a day TO the state"
The Assembly. he declared, had adopted ON
April Is a resolution for adjournment on May 9,
which the Senate never had acted. On March
D tie Senate passed the recount bill, but the
Senate did not return it TO the Assembly adopted
until May 2S,
The Assembly passed the public utilities bill
Oh May -, he Went on, anG all the work Of per
fecting that bill was done by Assembly
committee. With all 8his TO its credit the As
sembly still had not received from the Senate
1he adjournment resolution sent over TO II.
These facts show that the Assembly is not
delaying adjournment" declared Mr.. Phillips
1T has been ready TO adjourn for the last month
If the Senate had attended its duty and
passed these bills, which of great public in
terest, could have adjourned undoubtedly by
the middle Of May"
The recount bill with the MCGOWAN veto. was
returned TO the Assembly to-day. It Will be
handed down Monday night and repassed, in all
likelihood. Clarence J. Shearn's communication
TO The Legislature was not read in either house.