The sun., 1908-05-12
RACETRACK BILLS MUST WAIT
SURPRISE FROM GOV. HUGHES
READY FOR LEGISLATORS.
His MersAEe 10 the Special Session Out
lines a LOng Programme Of LegiIla-
tiOn but Makes No Mention Of Gam
bling Bm-That Waits on Election.

ALBANY; May li,--Gov. Hughes tonight
showed the Legislature that he does not
propose TO permit that body to run away
from him and get through In a hurry.
Especially the Governor does not propose
TO have action taken on the racing bills
until he thinks the opportune time has ar
rived. In his message presenting the sub
jects that he wishes acted upon by the Leg
islature at the extraordinary session he
did not recommend action on the question
Of raoetrack betting,
The serious illness OF Senator Foelker
Rep) Of Brooklyn, who heretofore
supported the Governor in his fight
to secure the repeal Of the Percy-Gray
betting law, and the fact that the
Senator TO be elected tomorrow in the
Niagara Orleans district cannot take his
seat before May 22 caused the Governor
TO postpone bringing that subject before
the Legislature until such time as he deems
he has the strength to pass the bills, His
only reference in his message TO that ques-
ton was that he would later send message
on raoetrack betting.
As Senator Foelker is not expected to be
able TO be about before a NTH II now
looks as il the extraordinary ses sion will
be prolonged into June,
| No., uuohos raoou,unandad aioht S,,htoota
for the consideration Of the legislature
None Of them is new or has not been passed
upon or recommended by him to the Legis-
lature before One recommendation, that
| in relation TO rebates on liquor tax oertih-
Gates, Is made TO correct a mistake made At
| the regular session, The subjects the
Governor asks the Legislature TO consider
| are:
Extension Of the powers Of the Public 5erv-
| ice Commissions over telephone and telegraph
| companies.
Direct nominations and an oflcial primary
ballot
Providing for a more complete identihca-
| tion Of voters at registry time.
Amending the election law In relation 10
| the government Of political parties
Of mercantile inspection in the labor depart
ment, to look after department stores.
/ Providing for an appropriation for rebates
on liquor tax certificates
A commission to inquire into the question
| Of stock speculation,
commission to ascertain the number and
condition Of the unemployed
Never before at an extra session was
there 80 much confusion as to what was
to be the programme or what was to be
done. The fact that the Governor deferred
making his recommendation concerning
racetrack gambling completely upset what
ever plans had been made The scheme TO
hustle things through and adjourn teforS
the newly selected Senator from the Forty
seventh district could take his seat fell
through. Senator Raines. however, was
opposed to this idea and said to-day that
he believed the newly elected Senator
should be permitted to have vote.
Some wonder IL the Governor will send
his anti-gambling message to the Legis-
lature II Democrat Ia elected tomorrow.
| None Of the legislators from the western
part OF the State would declare with any
degree Of positiveness tonight what would
be the result Of that election. Even the
representative from the Orleans district
said he was unable to state what the out
come would be. In most quarters, though,
| il is believed that the Democrat will b
elected. Democrats from that district
have said that the Republican candidate
will get some Democratic votes. but nOt
enough TO overcome the defections in the
Republican ranks.
In the event Of the Democratic candidate
being elected 1t will give the raoetraok
people 20 votes. providing none Of the eight
Republican Senators who voted against the
| bill at the regular session changes HE
mind. Senator Cassidy will not change
| his vote. He refuses 10 discuss the ques-
ton at this time, but his friends cay bs II
Interchangeable once he makes up his mind.
For the present the Legislature will marx
| time There was not a little merTimoot
caused by the announcement Of the com
mittee from the Senate appointed to inform
the Assembly that the upper house had ben
organized. Senator Hooker. the chairman
Of the committee. Said:
"And the honorable Senate is ready 10 do
business,
What kind Of business'' some ons
shouted.
Legislators were slow in reaching Albany
and as was expected neither house had .
full membership present. No sooner had
the Assembly been called 10 order than
AssemblymAn Cuvillier Tammany) raised
the point OF order that there was not Q
quorum present. Speaker WadSworth
would not entertain this, but privstsiy
had Clerk Smith count noses, and the latter
discovered there we're seventy-eight pres
I ent out Of l5O. In the Senate all but twelve
members responded. Senator Travis -
cured indefinite leave Of absence for SEN
ator Foelker and Senator Grady had Senator
Harte Dem, Queens excused for this
week. The other Senators absent were.
Cohslan, Cullen, Fancher. Frawley. Hassn-
hug, Knapp, McAianus. Smith. Thompson
and White. Senator Raines says that when
the Legislature gets down to business he
expects every Republican Senator will
attend the session except Senator Foelker.
Senator Raines came TO Albany this morn
ing and at the time expressed the belisf
that the session would last at least thTss
weeks. Later he saw the Governor. but
Senator Raines says that he did not discuss
the extra session or the ubjeots 10 be oon-
sidered at it with the Governor. At that
time he thought, as every one else did. that
in the Governors message tonight hs
would recommend the subject Of raoetraok
betting. Senator Raines at first thought
n naoass would not ba had hut not until