The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-01
Roosevelt Badly Whip
ped by Republican
Organization.
ASSEMBLY KILLS
PRIMARY BILL,
Issue Is Clear Cut and Legislative
Leaders Refuse to Be Coerced
Into Submission-Roosevelt
Is Potent Figure in
Dramatic Con-
test.

Albany. n. Y, June 3o.-Theodore
Roosevelt was beaten decisively to-
day Whatever may be the final out
come of his first adventure in politics
since his retirement from the White
House, he met defeat fatfooted at the
hands of the Republican organization
in the Assembly. AT late hour the
Senate had not made up its mind.
There were Indications that the ses-
sion might continue the greater part
of the night.
The Cobb direct nomination bill was
killed in the Assembly this afternoon
after a long, hard fight. The final
count stood 80 TO So in favor Of ac
cepting the adverse report of the Ju-
dietary Committee, which had the bill
in charge.
The Republicans in the Senate held
caucus tonight, but only twenty
three Senator's were there. They vot-
ed TO make a party matter of the
Cobb bill. with the amendments pro-
posed by Lloyd c. Griscom, chairman
OF the New York County Republican
Committee. and favored b. Colonel
Roosevelt But II takes tyventys six
votes to pass bill in the Senate. so
that the situation was not cleared.
Scene IL Dramatic.
and as midnight drew near 1t was still
at 1t, with no vote in sight. The
scene was almost as dramatic and ex-
citing as though Colonel Roosevelt
himself had been here TO lead the bat
tie.
There is talk of still another spe-
cial session. The Assembly this after
noon voted to adjourn at o'clock to-
morrow, and II the Senate concurs. and
If the Legislature quits work with no
primary bill passed and without ilav-
ing provided for necessary financial
measures. the leaders say Governor
Hughes may call IL back again.
Roosevelt vas the potent hgure in
to-day's contest. It was a cIear-cut
issue between the ex-Presidenr and
the organization" leaders, and the
leaders won.
It was long. hot. tense day. From
the moment that Colonel Roosevelt,
sent his telegram TO Mr.. 'Griscom, urg-
ing the passage of the bill. things
hummed. The situation suddenly be-
came one which was regarded as of
national significance The question
was whether Roosevelt of Sycamore
Hill was as mighty as Roosevelt Of
Washington.
Those who had previously supported
the Cobb measure, including even Gov
ernor Hughes. slipped into the back
ground. In front of them all was
the commanding figure of Theodore
Roosevelt.
Wndsworth Glad.
Speaker Wadsworth was frankly
glad at the turn things had taken.
The action of the Assembly to-
day" Speaker Wadsworth said, should
not be construed as gratuitous slap
al the exPresident or at the Cover
nor. The Assembly feels that it gave
the fullest and most deliberate con-
sideration to primary reform at the
regular session.
The supreme issue is whether the
Assembly shall follow 1t convictions
or deliberately reverse Its honest judg-
Ment. and thereby announce to the
Legislatures OF the future that the
legislative branch OF the government,
supposedly independent. can be coerced
and forced to occupy a secondary po-
sition in our system OF government.
After debate of several hours the
Senate tonight voted "a to 23 to adopt
the Assembly resolution to adjourn
sine die tomorrow at P. NJ