New-York tribune., 1911-12-27
KOEN|G PREFERS DANA
FOR THE SPEAKERSH|P
Writes to Crane Urging Support
for Him or "SOme Other
Suitable Candidate"
THUS REPLIES TO CRITICS
Newcomb Sure Merritt Can Be
Beaten, He Says-Meeting
Will Be Held Prior to
Regular Caucus.

Samuel s. Koenig president Of the New
York County Republican Committee. In a
letter to Assemblyman-elect 5. Clinton
Crane Of the 23d District, declared last
night that he had been opposed to the cleo
ton OF Edwin A Merritt. jr., as Speaker OF
the Assembly from the start. but that the
sentiment Of the Assemblymen from this
county mad not somed 10 crystalline on any
suitable candidate to oppose Merritt
Mr.. Crane was told that he could best aid
the cause by securing the unanimous sup
mort Of the delegation for Mr. Dana
Cmeaning Charles \. Dana) or some other
suitable candidate
This letter was called forth by an as
tonishinely critical letter 70 Mr.. Koenig, IN
which the head Of the organization was
called TO task for not organizing fight
against Merritt After reciting objections to
the latter, the letter declared
In the face Of these facts have awaited
effective leadership against the menace 10
public and party Welfare involved IN MI
Merritts candidacy
I have waited iu vain. I now request
from Won a clear statement or any pldIlS
which YOU may have for DEALING with TINS
crisis II YOU have no such plans, others
must undertake the task.
The conference Of Assembymen VII re-
convene on Wednesday Unless some one
more experienced takes the lead, ! sndIl
urge al that meeting such definite acuon
as will insure vigorous opposition 70 MT.
Merritt's candidacy. IN form OF active WI n
for better man.
Mr. Koenig's reply in fun is as follows.
Hon. s. Clinton crane, No. 1l6 Nassau
street. New York CITY.
Dear Sir. From the time that Mt MeI
ritt announced his candidacy for the SPEAK
erShip I have been opposed 10 his elecuon.
7 so stated 70 Mr.. William Barnes, JI., the
chairman Of the Republican state commit
Zee Recently / repeated that statement 10
him OF. these facts 7 advised YOU ana the
other New York County Republican AS
semblymen who We're present al the con-
ference on FRIDAY
Prior 70 that conference I had taken
srcps 70 ascertain the extent Of the oppo-
sitOn 70 Mr. Merritt and 70 learn or nktlE
candidates for the SpeakerSnlP II WdS
seublvmen would view the matter as ]
did and would unite on some suitable man
other than Merritt For that reason i'm
mediatelv after election ! urged YOU anu
the others not 70 commit yourselves
Daspita the criticisms against the Canpl
dacv Of Mr. Merritt that appeared IN the
New York City press and the puohe 'pIh-
ion that I'm private conversation was eN !.
pressing itself. sentiment on the part of
the New York Assemblymen did not crNs-
tauize In favor OF any suitable CANDIDATE
Accordingly ] called the New YORK A.
seublvren together in conference IN the
hone that faced with the situation. flrt
would offer q practical suggestion Tor H-ti-
ing with n T found that the members NAG
ma fixed opinions, and even YOU NouIseI
were not positive in YOUR views ana lhal
Mr. Nurrav. whom YOU suggest as a pos
sibIa candidate for Speaker, declined the
honor ., L. --.-,.
ing ont The views which I have all along
held and which YOU nov. am glad 70 hn"W'
hold so strongly. ny doing your ulIho.. lV
secure the unanimous support OF the Ne"
York Assemhlymen for Mt Dahd 'i S'll'
other suite BILE candidate
Very truly yours.
SAMUEL s KOENIG.
Senator Josiah T Newcomb, who lives
in Mr. Cranes district and IS the only
Republican Senator from New York Coun-
~ has been advising Mr.. Crane in his
course. it was understood
IF Mr.. Koenig viii not lead in the fight
against Merritt" the Senator said last
night. somebody else will I am sure
that Merritt can be beaten. He has not
GOT such large number Of votes pledged
IN him upstate. OF course, il is always the
nIav Of weak men 10 claim everything
and il is just what weak men would be-
Iieve"
Mr.. Crane in his letter referred 10 the
conference of the Republican Assembly
men on Friday and declared: You were
nresent 1 did not gain from your eX-
pressions at the time that YOU were deal
ing vigorously with what appears 10 be a
crisis in the affairs Of the party. ! gained.
in fact. a wholly contrary opinion.
Mr.. crane went on 10 say that he had
no doubt MI Merritt was able. agreeable
and experienced. but he had Informed him
self of the candidates public record and
had no besitancy in saving that his rec
ord stamped him as unfit for the office he
sought and a. totally unrepresentauVe or
the best sentiments and aspirations Of the
Republican party. He added, The sus-
cestion that Mr. Alerritts election must
ba submitted 70 by default because no
other candidate is available is unworthy
Of consideration.
Assemblvman Charles \. Dana returned
to the city Yesterday after visit to Buffalo
In the interests Of his candidacy for SPEAK
or He said there would be a caucus Of the
anti-Nerritt men az Albany Tuesday after
noon prior 10 the general caucus IN the
evening He declared he would willingly
withdraw from the field If another good
man could be found to oppose Merritt Inc
local Republican Assemblymen viii talk
over the question again this afternoon.
John J. Hopper chairman Of tie Inde
pendence League has sent letter 70 each
Republican member or the L'=lSldluIe' '
which he says, m part
Not being 4 Republican. Of course
make no claim 70 interfere in Reolblcan
Marty matters. but as a citizen who helped
n put the Republicans in power last month
/ have a right 10 demand that their pledges
be redeemed
have followed the news as 20 the pro-
rCeed ORGANIZATION or the Assembly next
month ana find no concerted acton nd
been taken 20 organize that body except
pv the old Guard.
What reform measures are likely 10 come
from a body presided over rE Merritt
with a Smith or a Ten Eyck as clerk j.
II possible that there is not as much inde-
rendonce i'm the Republican party OF this
State as the Democratic party showed last
vear when " defeated MurrhFs absolute
svyavo Did we do nothing In the iast cleo
lion but exchange Murphy for Barnes
Tbe trend all over the country ls toward
the Democrats. and lt las been Tess mark, 4
in this state only because or Wretcned ard
reactiOuarv leadership Do the Republicans
intend 10 return 70 the same kind Of lead
Irsb.p and IN \ Presidential year drive an
The indepcndent voters away
or0 MAN TpTPC cTTTCTDp