New-York tribune., 1910-12-27
MINORITY HAS PROBLEMS
/ enisjators Uncertain as to Who
Shall Be the Leaders.
PR0GRESSlVES INTERESTED
Depew May Be Complimented by
Caucus Because of Past
Services.

Republican members OF the incoming
Legislature have their. problems to race
as we'll as the Democratic members. al
though the troubles that will beset the
Democrats in selecting United States
Senator, President pro tempore of the
Senate and in otherwise organizing the
Legislature have attracted most attention
The Republicans are not unrlindfui
however. that they must decide who shall
be the minority candidate for the United
States Senate and who shall be the minor
ity leader Of the State Senate and tho
Assembly The Progressives feel that
much depends on their attitude in these
matters as 1t will. In measure. show
for what the new leadership IN the Re-
publican party stands and will have some
bearing upon the next election
While there is not likely to be anything
approaching even an unofficial caucus OF
the Republican members OF the Senate
and Assembly on these subjects before the
Legislature meets. tho New York City
members have already talked over the
question informally
There was a meeting Of the Republican
members OF the incoming Assembly from
New York County some days ago, when
the question OF a caucus candidate for the
United St4tSS OSiidtc duQ tuc nciCN~ioAA VI
a minority leader were discussed There
are to be seven members OF the Republican
delegation from this county in the Assem-
bly, this year. All except Assemblyman-
elect A. Goodman Of the 2sth District
were present.
Reports of the meeting agreed that there
Some of those present contended that as.
io Dernw would
probably not have been the caucus cand1-
date for the United States Senate in case
the Republicans had won the Legislature,
It would be a betrayal Of the Progressive
principles to vote for him as a minority
candidate. Those who argued that way
said that as Congressman Herbert Parsons
was the man who would have been sup
ported for the Senate by New York County
in case the Legislature had been Repubii-
can. he should be made the minority can
didate. Others were in favor OF hestow-
ing on Otto T Barnard the compliment Of
being the minority candidate on account
Of his able services to the organization in
this county for many years
Senator Dspew's Services.
On the other hand, It was argued that
Senator Depew's services to the party had
extended over much longer time. and 1t
would engender unnecessary bitterness not
to recognize those services by giving him
complimentary vots for reelection to his
present place. These arguments were said
to have had considerable effect. but no
definite decision was reached.
The question as to whom the Republican
Assemblynen from New York County
should support for minority leader was
r$oir Tr
was strongly urged that A.semblyn1an Ed
win A. Merritt. jr.. the logical candidate
for minority leader because of his long
service as majority leader. was too much
allied with the "OId Guard" wing of the
party faithfully to represent the Progress
sive leadership now in control Of the state
committee.
But when it came to suggesting another
man for the place, all agreed that 1t was
a difficult problem. There was some men
ton Of Assemblyman Jesse S. Phillips. of
Allegany, on the ground that although he
had been allied with the old regime. he had
shown at times a disposition to be more IN
dependent The general impression seemed
to be that Assemblynlan Merritt had the
call for the place.
Senator Josiah T. Newcomb, who will be
lone representative of the Republican or
sanization Of this county in the Senate the
coming year, when asked yesterday what
position he would take on the United States
Senatorship and the minority leader Of the
State Senate, smiled as he replied: The
Republican Senate delegation from this
county is holding daily caucuses on these
nnatters. but so far we are not ready TO
announce our determination
It was understood that Senator Nevcoub.
although a leader in the Progressive move