The sun., 1910-02-22
NO PROBING In THE ASSEMBLY
SPEAKER WADSWORTR OPPOSES
CHANLER RESOLUTION.
the Assembly Tables IL by . Vote OF -
to sS-senator NewCOmb Proposes 60
Investigate Amy Bribery Tnat Has
Occurred In the Last Ten Years.

AMVcsuBatC any DrtDery AMhN Ah@N
Occurred In the Last Ten Wears.
ALBANY. Feb. 2l.-Speaker JamesWads-
worth on the floor OF the Assembly to-
night attacked the resolution offered q
week ago by Assemblyman Lewis Stuy-
vesant Chanler OF Dutehess calling upon
the Assembly to investigate revelations
in the Aids trial rejecting upon the
dignity and character Of the House.
especially in the years of 1901, 1902 and
1908. Speaker Wadsworth appealed sue
cessfully to the Assembly not to turn its
back upon important legislation pending
before the Legislature merely to turn the
Assembly into "a school for scandal
While the fate OF the resolution was
sealed by the earnest speech OF Speaker
Wadsworth a discussion followed in
which both Republicans and Democrats
should take in connection with alleged
corruption. Finally the resolution was
tabled by a vote OF rs ayes TO IS noes.
When he called UP his resolution Mr..
Chanler said he had hoped by this time
that the resolution offered in the upper
house by Senator Wainwright would
have reached the Assembly. This reso-
luton calls for a joint legislative com-
mittee to investigate generally tho alle-
cations brought out In the Aids trial about
corruption funds. Mr.. ChanIer suggested
that the time for the Assembly 60 act had
arrived.
Speaker Wadsworth. Majority Leader
Merritt. Assemblymen McInerncy. Muir
ray and Leo Republioans) and Assem-
blymen Oliver and Al Smith Demo
crats) Of New York spoke against the
resolution. Assemblyman George A.
Green Rep, KinEs). who is handling
Gov. Hughesis legislation in the As
sembly. and Assemblyman William NJ.
Bennett. the Republican member who
bolted the Assembly caucus ON tho cleo
ton OF Clerk Smith. insisted that the
ma jority was taking the wrong stand on
the proposition and should adopt any
method calling for q thorough investiga-
ton at this time. Assemblyman Hoey
said that Speaker Wadsworth had in
jected personalities into his speech
The Speaker interrupted him to say that
he had the highest personal regard for
Mr.. Chanler.
Minority Leader Frisbie, Who was a
member Of the Assembly Rules Committee
OF the 1901 seasion, voted with Mr.. Chanler
against tabling the resolution
I In his address Speaker Wsdsworth said:
The resolution offered by the Kentisman
from Dutchess II Adovted win commit the
house 70 afAvorablss 0epsidsgation Of the
propesal that the Legislature Of 1919 shall
investigate the Legislatures Of 1891, 1907
and 1908: and furthermore its adoption
will to . considerable degree k!ns this
House to favorable action on q proposal
| which may be laid before II in the future
to the effect that this LeGisiature shall
| investigate the nine Legislat ures next pre-
oeding. This. briefly stated. is the purport
Of this resolution and this will be the i'm
mediate result Of its adoption. In reaching
our decision let US review two or three facts
known to all men at this juncture.
In the nrst place we must bear In mind
that no charge whatsoever has been made
against the character or record OF any
| member Of this present House; no person
has alleged directly or indirectly that there
sits In this great body man unit by reason
OF past misdeeds or present intentions to
represent his constituents aud associate
| with honorable mon.
In the next place let me remind you that
this proposed investigation OF the methods
Of the past cannot inspire us with the
slightest hope that remedial legislation will
result. The laws Of the State are complete
and vigorous in their treatment Of bribery,
blackmail and conspiracy to defraud in
and out OF the public service. In leOe as
result OF the great insurance investiga-
ton. q law was enacted forbiddinR cor
porations contributing funds for political
purposes, and as q further precaution
against the continuance OF this old time
ahtIQA fhM nra ant
for the publicity OF campaign contribu-
tions, was placed on the statute books.
So we see that all the offences involved
In the exercise Of corrupt influence upon the |
Legislature are provided against in the law |
to-day: and unless we intend 10 try and
make all men honest by Law and fy in the |
face Of all the history Of lawmaking In that |
attempt. unless we expect to accomplish |
the impossible II is difficult to understand |
bow this investigation can result In rene
dial legislation.
What, then. are we In effect asked to do |
through the adoption OF this resolutionp |
We are asked to establish q general inqui-
sition. addressed to the influences exerted |
upon former Legislatures, into the history
and conduct OF bodies which no longer |
exist and into the motives which governed
the castinG OF hundreds OF votes by hundreds !
OF former members OF the Legisla ture over
whom this House properly has no juris-
olCtlOn. VIC afo abkod 70 pass Judgment /
upon the records OF hundreds Of men long
since retired to private life. and even 10 |
scrutinize the muster rolls OF the dead and |
attempt 70 dissecb their regulations and |
performances.
Without consuItstion with the Repub- |
lican leaders In the Legislature. Senator |
Newcomb tonight introduced q resolu- |
tion providing for an Investigation OF |
any bribery which may have occurred |
in the Legislature during the last ten |
years. Mr.. Newoomb takes the unpreo- |
sdented course in his resolution OF taking |
upon himself the naming Of the Senators |
and Assemblymen who shall comprise |
this Investigating committee. He said |
that the naming Of the committee perhaps |
was unprecedented. but the exigencics |
OF the situation was the excuse. The |
resolution was referred TO the Finance |
Committee without debate.
TrUo rpaOh.kfnn~ s.A-