New-York tribune., 1910-06-30

| ton of the subject at an SxarefSSviar,
session OF the Legislature
| while we are firmly of the opinion
that under the letter and spirit OF the
constitution this subject should moi
have been submitted to and should no'
be considered by the Legislature at an
extraordinary session." Mr.. fnlihps
said, nevertheless, that the motive OF
! the committee may not be misconstrueo
and that the House may not be charged
| with defeating this proposed legislation
by jndirection, we have determined to
afford the House another opportunity to
discuss these bills on their merits. and
again to register their determination as
to the subject matter involved"
Give a Perfunctory Hearing.
The Ways and Means Committee gave
perfunctory hearing on changes sug-
gested by Mr.. Bates and Mr.. Dana, OF
New York, in the graft investigation
resolution, then in executive session
voted down all proposed broadening OF
the scope of that resolution. Mr.. Mer-
ritt at one time made the point that
this Legislature had no precedent for
altering resolution adopted by itself at
the regular session.
Assemblyman Lindon Bates, jr., advo-
Gated his resolution making changes in
the investigation resolution to meet the
Governors recommendations and pro-
viding for the appointment by the Gov
ernor of three citizens to act with the
legislative committee. He said that this
appointment of outsiders to aid In the
investigation would command the con-
fidence of the public. He urged 1t on
the theory that the Legislature should
not investigate itself, but should submit
to outside investigation, the same as a
business institution some of whose
stockholders were dissatisfied with the
management. He urged particularly
that the provisions requiring the verif1-
cation of complaints on knowledge and
permitting the cross-examination Of wit
nesses be stricken out.
Assemblyman Dana spoke for his bill
providing for a committee to investigate
general graft conditions. He said that
the resolution adopted by the Legislature
provided for a trial, not for an fnvesti-
CATION. 1t was wrong in principle, and
he feared 1t would be ineffective in prac-
tice. He pointed out that there was
provision for the immunity of witnesses
in the resolution as adopted, and pre-
dicted that this would make 1t almost
impossible to gain desired information.
He said that the Legislature owed 1t to
itself to hold drastic investigation and
pass drastic legislation to discourage
bribery. Legislators were mere weak
humans. he declared, and everything
possible should be done to guard them
from succumbing to the temptations of
the man with the proper price.
IF there is anything possible which
can prevent temptation from coming my
way" he said, Il shall be very thankful
to have it put into operation. 1 don't
blame legislator who accepts bribe
so much as 1 do the man who offers
one"
The committee voted down all pro-
posed changes to the graft resolutions,
Mr Chanler being the only one in favor
Of broader resolution of inquiry.
Party leaders are hurrying to Albany
to take a hand in the struggle. Gov
ernor Hughes is expected back from
Cambridge tomorrow night, and 1t Is
understood he has the assurance that
President Taft is with him in his fight
for primary reform. Lloyd c. Griscom,
after hearing from Mr.. Roosevelt, took
an early train for Albany. Senator
Cobb, majority leader in the upper
House, is expected tomorrow. Chair
man Griscom, on his arrival here to-
night. said he expected to see Governor
Hughes and Speaker Wadsworth.