New-York tribune., 1910-06-20
WORKING FOR COBB BILL
Leaders Fear Assembly Again
Will ThWart Its Passage.
SPECIAL SESSION TONIGHT
LEGISLATORS Here for Roosevelt
Welcome Discuss Direct
Primary Plans.

Welcome Discuss Direct
Primary Plans.
Republican leaders and members of the
Legislature who were in the city to at
tend the welcome to Theodore Roosevelt
found time to talk among themselves and
with their city colleagues regarding the
special session of the Legislature, which
convenes tonight. There we're widely diff
fering opinions, however, as to what the
session would accomplish in the way of
enacting some direct primary measure.
In a general way It was the opinion of
most of those seen that unless some ex-
traordinary pressure is brought to bear
or the Cobb bill is made a party meas
ure by caucus in the Assembly. the latter
body will thwart any attempt to pass it.
movement is under way to bring some
sort OF special pressure on the leaders.
but how far II will succeed Is problematf-
cal The views of Mr.. Roosevelt will be
sought and the result is eagerly awaited
It is understood that the opinion has
been expressed by some of the leaders in
washington that the Republican party in
this state cannot afford to show the disre-
gard for the Cobb direct primary measure
with which It was treated by the Assem-
bly, at the regular session.
Working for a Caucus.
AS for the efforts OF Assembyman Muir
ray, of the 18th District, in this county
to have the Republican members of the
Assembly caucus on the Cobb bill. they
have not so far met with the success he
had hoped. Speaking of the letters sent
by him to his Republican colleagues, ASK
ing them if they would be willing to sign
call for such caucus. Assemblyman
Murray said yesterday:
81 have received only seventeen or eigh-
teen replies and most Of them are nom
eommittal. Only five or six wrote that they
would be willing to sign caucus call.
The others beat around the bush, and say
they want to wait until they get to Albany
and see what the situation is there.
Some of them want to know how Presi-
dent Griscom stands, but I have not talked
to him. When I get up to Albany to-mor-
row night 1 shall open campaign and see
If I can't get the required signatures Tor
caucus / think that there is a good
chance of having the Cobb bill made a
party measure If we vote on it in caucus.
II il is made a party measure there seems
to be every chance that we can pass it.
1.-The Governor has approved the Cobb
bill and the Senate has passed it once, and
will undoubtedly do so again. So 1t would
seem to be entirely up to the Assembly.
If we only get some men with backbone,
think we shall be able to have a caucus
Would Accept Cobb Bill
"Of course. I am still in favor of the
Hinman-Green BILL but there seems to be
little chance OF passing that But the COBB
bill is a long step in the right direction
If we get that on the statute books once,
and elect a good Legislature under it, 1t
ought to be comparatively easy TO broaden
its provisions at succeeding sessions
Senator Hendrick S. Holden, of Syracuse,
who took Lieutenant Governor White
place in the Senate. has been In the city
as member of the legislative committee
to welcome Mr.. Roosevelt He does not
think there is any chance of passing a
direct primary measure. He was one of
the Senators who voted against the Cobb
BILL and has not changed his mind.
LAS a matter of fact, he said, Il think
what sentiment for direct primaries there
was in Onondaga County has died out. It
Is as dead as a smelt.
''Of course the Senate will probably pass
the Cobb bill again. It could not stultify
itself by turning it down after having
passed It once. But l don't think it has
any chance in the Assembly. So far as I
have been able to learn, the members of
the Legislature will take the same in
dividual stand on the bill as they did be-
fore"
Senator Holden seemed extremely opti- |
mistic about conditions upstate.
I'VE are all united in Onondaga," he said, |
land will give the Republican ticket the |
usual plurality this fall, We gave Gov |
ernor Hughes one of the biggest plurali- !
ties in the state and would do so again. |
We shall do the same for any candidate !
who may be named"
The opriaton Bill.
One of the most important things that |
will be submitted to the special session by |
the Governor according to Senator Holden. |
will be a reconsideration of the appropri- |
alton and supply bill.
I'VE appropriated more money than Inc !
income of the state will cover by about !
s6, ,0o00 0o0," he said. THAT, of course, Is |
something that must be rectifed.'
So far as could be learned. there have
been no formal conferences In regard to
the extra session in this city in the last |
few days, although the subject has been
an important topic Of conversation when
ever one or two leaders have been to-
gether.
Senator Grady, the Democratic leader, who
did his best TO kill direct primaries in the
Senate. spent considerable time atthe Muir
ray Hill Hotel. where many members of
the Legislature were on Saturday. There
were suspicious that his activity BODIED no
good for such a measure when the special
session convenes.
Assemblyman Bennett, who is one of the
most ardent advocates of direct primaries,
is out in Montana. and will not be In AL
bany before the 9th. He believes how
ever, that nothing important will come to
a vote before that time.