New-York tribune., 1908-01-20
POLITICS on THE HILL.
More Absorbing Topic Than Legis-
IatiOn No1C at .4Lbanu.

but particularly state has largely displaced egls-
| lation topic OF interest and solicitude in the
Legislature Recent political affairs and develop
ments foreseen inevitable il the near future in
volve possible consequences not only in the state
al large but in the innermost recesses of local po-
political bailiwicGs, profoundly important TO
each member that in many cases his very existence
as political entity is at stake Beyond this reacn
the questions Of the control of the Republican state
organization. OF instructions oc the delegates to De
by the spring convention 70 the national con-
vention at Chicago in June Of the Craftsmanship OF
the Republican State Committee and OF the nomi-
aton for Governor to be made al the state con-
! Tention in September.
1t is hardly too mitch 10 say that the matter of
the indo-serasnt OF Governor Hughes by his party
in this state for the Presidential nomination has
become relatively urimportant detail compared
with that OF the control OF the Republican organi-
zation il the and in the various counties
where the lines being drawn with rapidly in
creasirg intensity Veterans of politics freely ad
init that must go back quarter OF century
or more to find situstion more explosive than
that which seems be swiftly developing within
the Republican crean!zation The final conse-
qUeEces pretends be able TO rrcphesy.
Aside from the general and special interest of
the legislature. made up almost entirely of men
prominent. If net personally dominant. in the poll
ties Of their localities in the possibilities of the
political situation, thsre appears a disposition to
pursue waiting policy. without anything definite
in the way Of Il progra amme: each to be
waiting for somebody else 10 move. Meanwhile the
time passes and what in ordinary circumstances
would be short session threatens increasingly to
drag itself out into length comparable with that
of last year which adjourned in the last week of
June The aggressive position which Governor
Hughes has taken il the matter OF the legislation
recommended by him for the abolition Of the
nominal penalty which permits gambling with
in racetLack Enclosures (while il is a felony else
where, and the serious doubt existing to the
passage of this legislation the regular session
lead many to believe. although the Governor has
said nothing the subject that If the Legislature
should adjourn without acting the bills he will
summon il back in extraordinary session 10 re
sumo consideration of what he has declared 20 he
d betrayal of the fundamental law.
lively time is expected in the Senate Tomorrow
night. when the national guard reorganization bill
will come up special order for final passage
Senator Grady Wednesday forced the postpone
ment OF a vote the bill and is expected to fight
II with all the resources at his command The I'M
portance of the matter is apparent in the fact that
Tuesday expires the time limit fixed by the
national militia law. better known the Dick law
within which the states must reorganize their
militia to conform the organization of the regu
lar army IL order to assure themselves OF
the financial assistance Of the government TO
amount which for this state. apprOximates $4,000
a year.
Banking legislation along the lines of the report
OF Superintendent Clark Williams of the State
Bank Department and of that of the extra-legai
volunteer commission of bankers recently appointed
by Governor Hughes to recommend legislation TO
remedy defects in the laws governing state banks
and trust companies will probably take definite
shape this week Superintendent Williams is ex-
pected TO meet Tuesday with the Senate and
Assembly committees banks. which will have
charge Of the legislation. 1t is expected that the
bills will be presented committee bills and will
have the status of administration measures II
will be another week least. however. before the
bills themselves will be ready for introduction.
There has been thus far most unusual paucity
Of local legislation. This is partly due to the well
known attitude of Governor Hughes toward spe-
ciaI legislation. His demand. enforced last year by
several vetoes for general legislation establishing
uniform regulations meet like conditions and
the practical certainty that he would disapproye
any special bill affecting single locality or in
stitution in any way possible to be met by
a general law discourage the introduction of
such bills in other years have constituted the
bulk OF the bill files. Rather more than the usual
number of what known freak and strike
bills been presented and printed, but that any
Of them will stir again is unlikely. Out of the
whole number of bills thus far introduced a scant
half dozen in all probab bility will ever be heard of
ae