New-York tribune., 1910-02-16
IN SWEEPING TERMS.
Wmnuright Resolution Result
of Conference Here.
INV TeIegrauh 10 The Tribune. !

BY Telegraph 10 Inc iIlDuie.J
Albany. Feb 15.-No more sweeping Ian
guage could be devised than the phrases
used by Senator Wainwright in a resolu-
ton he presented this morning for full
legislative investigation Of corruption or
any attempts to corrupt any legislator any
where in this state at any time This reso-
luton was presented by Senator Vain
wright as a direct result of the Taft
Hughes conference at Mr. Griscoms home
in New York on Saturday. and the vigor
Gus stand taken by the leaders of the party
there gathered
Il presented this resolution without con-
sultation with any party leaders or sugges-
ton from anybody said Senator Vain
wright. Its purpose is apparent from its
language. We are at crisis in affairs
here, and II behoOves US as loyal Repubi-
cans and honest legislators to assert our
dignity and take such steps will place
us beyond suspicion of concealing being
willing TO conceal anything improper"
The Wainwright resolution follows:
Whereas. 1t was publicly intimated on
the 9Th day of February. 1Slo by counsel
10 Senator Benn Conger in the inves-
tigaton now being conducted by the COM
mittee of the whole that certain bridge
companies during the year 1908 raised
corruption fund, and
Whereas 1t is in the public interest that
the truth or falsity of this charge and all
the facts in relation thereto. and in relation
to any fund or funds contributed from any
other source or used in any manner for the
purpose of ccrruptly or otherwise inftuenc-
ing the action of the members of the Legis-
lature upon any subject during the year
in question or in prior succeeding years
or whether any such funds now exist or
have been recently contributed or en-
ployed for any such purpose. or whether
there has been at any time any corrupt or
improper action with respect to any iegis
lstive matter on the part of any person
now heretofore member of the LegiS-
lature. or any attempt corruptiy TO in
fiuence the action of any such person.
should be aScertained and ma de public;
Resolved Of the Assembly conCur), That
a committee of three Senators and five AS
semblymen shall be appointed by the Lieu
sembly, respectively. to conduct the fullest
inquiry into all the matters above referred
to to ascertain the facts; that such COM
mittee shall report TO the Legislature with
all convenient speed and that such COM
rnittee have the usual powers of legislative
commissions. Or special legislative commit
tees to employ counsel. to issue SubppnaS,
TO compel the attendance of witnesses and
the production of documents and papers,
and otherwise shall take testimony publicly
md may sit anywhere within the state. TO
employ stencgra pler and such other
clerical assistance as may be necessary,
and the actual and necessary expenses of
the committee in carrying out the pro
visions of this resolution, not exceeding
100000. shall he paid by the Treasurer upon
the warrant Of the ControIsr ana the GER
tifiCate of the chairman of such committee
out OF any money in the treasury not other
wise appropriated
Senator Newconb, of New York, who
was largely instrumental in causing the
present inyestiga ton of the Conser charges
spoke briefly in favor of the resolution.
Senator Grady opposed it on the ground
that the disclosures nf the Aids investiga-
ton thus far had no bearing upon the pres
ent Legislature. but il was referred to the
Finance Committee, and a speedy report in
its favor is expected from that hody
What is supposed To be the view of the
party leaders was voiced by Senator Davis
of Buffalo. chairman of the Senate investi-
CATION in the Aids case. The public mind
seems to be infiamed to such an extent" he
said, that this resolution is not entirely
out of place. It is based solely upon the
allegation made by Attorney James W. Os-
borne, that q bridge corruption fund did
exist In 1909