New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-15
TWO ALBANY VIEWS
ONE IS THAT ROOT
VAS FIRM.
Other Says He Backed Dozen
Cobb for Direct Primary
and General Probe.
by Telegraph 10 The Tribune. !

>llhu Root and State Chairman Woodruff
speaker Wadsworth and Lloyd c. Griscom
were expressed here tonight
The organization element in the Lcgis-
lature, from Speaker Wadsworth down
chuckied over what was characterized as
pronounced ''backdown" by Senator
Root from his attitude of demanding the
enactment of Governor Hughes's general
legislative program e and a general party
! housekeeping
Hushes men maintained stoutIy that Sem
ator Root had not been ''misIed' in the
beginning and was not being fooled now:
neither had he receded from his original
! position. They predicted that startling
/ developments might be expected in cou-
pie OF weeks
Meanwhile there is evident in both
branches of the Legislature an ardent de-
sire to make the public understand that
/ there is no intention TO defy President
! Taft, Senator Root or Governor Hughes
| Particularly are the Wadsworth men In
! the lower house anxious that il be under
1 stood they intend to pass almost all
| the Hughes legisiation-all except the
direct primary bill and ballot reform bills
and maybe certain important features of
| the telephone and telegraph regulation
that these are the only parts of the Gov.
ernor's programme about which there
! could he any difference, and that the anti
/ Hughes men in passing the rest Of il
would be making mighty little concession
! to the Governors supporters and public
/ opinion.
Cobb Wants Judgment Suspended.
Senator George II. Cobb. the new tenn
q nOraFN nraSiHaDt n ,a
declared himself in favor of the enact
ment of direct primary law and of
general investigation of alleged legislative
! corrupt PRACTICES. He deprecated criti-
cism of himself at this time and said he
hoped the public would suspend Judgment
or him until the record had been made ND
when the facts are before the public
and ii knows how / have handled this
very trying situation it can make utNits
mind regarding me-" he said. I'm other
words, actions speak louder than words"
Are YOU in favor of the enactment of
a direct primary law" he was asked.
( Yes, l favor a direct primary law, but
I don't mean by that that / favor the
Governors bill just as it stands l will not
so so far as that I Will say, though, that
favor direct primary law, and will do
all | can 10 help pass one"
DO YOU favor a general investigation OF
alleged legislative corruption?"
Il assume that there will be some sort
OF an Investigation was Senator Cobb's
reply. II do not think we ought to have it.
though, while this Aids case is going on
We should finish that before We take up
anything else"
/ Wadsworth Returns from New York
/ !,
! York to-day as happy as if legislative and
political troubles never existed He de-
clared that he was more Of an optimist
even than he was last week regarding the
situation. The Speaker and his friends
assume that Senator Root was grievously
misled by enthusiastic persons here re-
Sarding the general situation concerning
Governor Hughes. his legislative pro-
gramme the handling of the Aids case
and any subsequent legislative investiga-
ton. but now has been undeceved and
agrees with their views. Particularly do
the Wadsworth men think Senator Root is
with them regarding the direct primary
/ bill and other Hughes legislation.
Two or three times on public occasions
. recently l have outlined what l believed
would be the action of the Assembly this
year" said the Speaker. q talked this
over with Mr.. Root. going over the meas
ures with him and discussing them in con-
siderable detail | assured him that the
Republican majority III the Assembly was
united IN its desire 10 make a creditable
record and that / considered the prospect
good for its doing so. Mr.. Root offered no
criticism.
The tentative programme which ] out
lined TO him included the passage OF a
/ good primary reform bill. the passage Of Il
telephone and telegraph supervision bill
as reported by the special committee, the
enactment of new charter for New York
City the passage of Legislation creating
the new Highlands Park the passage Of
important financial legislation favored by
the Controller relative to the state burget
the enactment OF a comprehensive auto
mobile tax law. the enactment of employ.
els liability legislation as reported by the
special legislative committee and legisia
ton which is expected from the Inferior
Courts Commission
Speaker Wadsworth tonight conferred
with the chairmen of the various Assem-
bly, committees and other veteran Assem-
bymen to discuss the position of pending
important legislation and the bills which
are to he passed. The Speaker outlined tC
those present what he had told Senator
Root at the conference in New York yes
terday regarding the legislative programme
of the Assembly.
It was said that tho general sentiment
of the confeTrees was in accord with the
views expressed by Speaker Wadswortl
and Senator Root.
Stand Pat Cry of Anti Hughes Men
Stand pat. Everythings coming oul
way now" is the cry of the anti-Hughe;
men in both houses. This is the advice
they are sending 10 their followers around
the state.
state Chairman Woodruff, who is repre-
ator Root TO begin war on him. evidently
intends to make little himself Sen
ator Travis tonight said he had beer
warned that Woodruff intended to attach
/ Representative Calder and himself for tn.
part they played in the Cobb Human fight
lie can go ahead, and ] guess il II,
wants to fight he'll find enough to keeI
leadership of his district III primary fIEh
, against Woodruff. and then was renom
inated 10 the Senate. II know Calder j.
quite willing to take on this fight too.
, was told WHOM took my stand for Davi.
, and Woodruff was for Cobb that ! wa,
committing political suicide, but / couldn
see II that way and maybe I'm long-Iived
Wen have 10 try IL out
Senators Bracket ana Davenport. WIN
are represented by tho Woodruff Barnes
men as the ''maTplOts' who 50 cruelty de