New-York tribune., 1909-11-10
TO FIGHT SMITH
FRANCIS ENTERED.
Er- -4Ssemblyman VII TRY for
LO1ccr House CIerkShip.

Ez-Assemblyman James 4. Francis OF
the 25d Assembly District has decided TO
make a contest for the clerkship of the
Assembly against Pay p. Smith. who is
a candidate for reelection. Assemblyman
William NJ Bennett will lead the 1ght
against Smith in the interest Of Mr.. Fran
els. The contest IS pretty sure 10 be
statewide affair II the present plans
carry. the Francis men viii make the neht
against Smith On moral rather than on
political grounds. and VIII refuse 20 90
into caucus on the elerkship. They viii
charge Smith with gross i,npropriety In
representing various corporate interests
while clerk. and viii attempt 20 show that
for Years he has been IN the habit Of
drawing bills FOR legislators and coaching
them through
Mr.. Smith is practically the leader OF
oaondsga County and assistant secretary
CT the Republican State Committee.
There is a strong probability that Smith
will have the assistance Of State Chairman
Woodruff, and that Herbert Parsons, the
New York County leader. viii support
Francis Mr.. Parsons for the present re-
fuses 70 take sides in the night Il is re-
sarded as significant that the candidate
for Smiths place comes from the district
Of Collin H Woodward. the vice-chairman
Of the county committee. Who usually con-
suits Mr.. Parsons about what he does.
Mr.. Francis represented the sd District
for f~e years. but this year declined re
nomination. In the Assembly he was for
two years Chairman OF the Committee on
Banks. Last year re introduced the bill
10 place telephone ana telegraph conp2-
uies under the Public servicc commissions.
blyman Bennett. who started the fight
against Smith last week. heard that Fran
els vas a candidate for clerk he said;
a better man could not be elected. He
Vas veil liked AZ Albany by all the mem
hers, both Democratic and Republican. He
is clean cut. honest and efficient. shall
bc very much surprised If he does not re-
ceive the support OF all the older members
He undoubtedly will receive the support os
the New York delegation and also the SUP
PORT Of a great many Of the newly elected
upstate members. In my opinion, he VIII
be elected.
Nevertheless. I shall centre my fight on
Fay Smith. and shall continue & until he
has withdrawn from the field.
I expect 10 communicate with the Re
publican members Of the Assembly agaen H.
a few DAYS and give them further facts as
10 Smiths re-nicious nneddling in legisla-
ton.
II shall show them that he not only ap-
pears before Assembly committees but also
NEEDLES with Ieglsla tion in the Senate. that
hc Is charged by the newspapers with kill
ing the bill 10 place the telegraph and tele-
phone companies under the 1urisdictton Of
the Public Service commissions. with smoth-
eling ali amendments 70 the public service
CORPORATION acts last session; that 70 him,
as much as TO Speaker Wa6sworth, was due
the sitting Of the direct nominations meas
urs: that he Is charged by the newspapers
with deliberately altering and impeding the
progress Of the bill providing for a recount
OF the votes in the New York City mayor
slty election IN 1903.
Mr.. Parsons has nothing 10 do with the
fsht against Smith. Neither has Governor
Hughes II both should oppose me the fight
would 90 on iust the same. I think the
Kew York members are al with me. There
are fourteen Of us-the largest delegation
in the ASSEMBLY.
Syracuse. Nov. 9.-Ray z. Smith. when
he learned Of the candidacy Of Assembly
ran Francis tonight, issued the following
statement.
Mr.. francis was the only member Of the
Assembly who voted 70 sustain Ny. Bennett
in his attack upon me. and was generally