New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-15
SENATE FAVORS PROBE
Resolution Gives Committee
8rOadeSt Powers.
ASSEMBLY DELAYS ACTION
Referred to Ways and Means
Committee-Wadsworth Not
Expected to Fight.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune.

Albany, April 14-WithOut a single
vote i'm opposition resolution for an
impartial and sweeping investigation Of
legislative corruption or anything i'm
properly affecting the business of state
departments was passed by the Senate
to-day. It's phrasing is such that any
thing questionable may be taken UP by
the committee in its discretion, while il
virtually is directed to follow leads
opened by the Aids bribery trial and
Superintendent Hotchkiss's investigation
of the fire insurance scandals
The resolution. sent Immediately to the
Assembly, was referred there to the
Ways and Means Committee. That body
will take 1t UP for consideration next
week. It is the general belief that the
r. solution will be reported virtually in
its present form. and adopted There is
some question whether Speaker Wads
worth and his friends will not fight il.
but most legislators believe that the
Speaker hardly will follow that course in
the face of the present demand for this
inquiry. He declined to say word for
publication regarding the resolution. His
views on the general investigation, how
ever. have not changed since he fought
that proposition on the floor of the
House.
Progressive Republicans in both houses
are greatly pleased at the language of
the resolution and its prospects for
adoption by the Assembly. They say the
spirit which it embodies makes certain
the appointment of committee strong
i'm personnel. with members progressive,
even radical Yet wise enough To realize
the necessity for careful and cOnserVa-
tive work Hughes Senators said they
were sure Lieutenant Governor White
and Speaker WadswOrth would appre-
ciate the importance Of these COnsidera-
tions and would give very careful atten-
ton to the selection of the members of
the committee
Says Committee Must Walk Warily.
Il regard the appointment of the mem
bers of this committee as a very serious
matter and service on il as a duty of "a
great importance as ever could fall TO
the lot of a legislator" said one Senator
who did not want his name used. I'm
der the present conditions Of suspicion
of politicians and legislators and general
public interest il becomes the duty OF
this committee To- probe to the very bot
tom every suspicious circumstance called
To its attention. No man must he spared
for political or personal considerations
That would be fatal. But on the other
hand. no name must he dragged into the
inquiry until the committee is absolutely
certain Of the justice of such action. The
mere mention of a name at present leads
to considerable unthinking. unreasOning
condemnation of the individual for acts
which may have been perfectly legiti-
mate and proper This committee and
it's counsel must walk warily but GER
tainIy. The public. il I read the signs
Alright, will not tolerate whitewash or
bluff any more than it will countenan>e
demagogy or attempts to play politics
through this investigation"
1t is i'm the minds Of Senate leaders
who are behind this resolution tO have
genuine. thorough going inquiry. not
only into the leads opened by the Aids
case and the fire insurance scandals. but
the general executive system whereby
bills affecting business in this state or
the activities of the state departments
are log rolled" or kissed through the
| Legislature, The reverse process of kill
ing bills will bc probcd thoroughly. and
many legislators expect the inquiry 20
land squarely against the Rules Com
mittec and the present rules under which
executive business is conducted. The
power Of the Rules Committee. domi-
| mated by the Speaker and the majority
and minority leader. has been assailed
this year by legislators Of such different
views and habits as Senator Seth Hea-
/ cock. high class organization man. and
! ssemblyman Bennett. radical and "A
so-caled insurgent
Conditions Hard TO Appreciate.
The rules of tho Legislature and the
| customs grown up under them have pro-
| ducrd conditions almost impossible tor
| he average citizen To- appreciate. They
| nave made it impossible. for instance.
Continued On second pase,