New-York tribune., 1911-12-23
'BOLLES HEADS ALDERMEN'CONFER ABOUT MERRITT
County Committee Not Decided
Regarding Speakershlp.
DANA NOT ENCOURAGED
Thought Likely Any Opposition
Candidate Will Come from
Upstate.

Tho question as TO whether the Republi-
cor oreanization Of New York County
should start or join in any movement In
opposition 10 the selection OF Edwin A. Mer-
ritt. ir as Speaker Of the Assembly was
discussed yesterday at the first formal con-
ference Of the Republican Assemolymen-
elect from this county. II was called az
headauarters. in West 39th street py
Samuel s. Koenig. president Of the county
committee. and after n discussion OF an
hour the conference was adjourned unt'
Wednesday afternoon.
The question was precpitated by the
friends Of Assemblyman Charles \. Dana,
Of the 9th District. who have persuaded
him TO become a candidate for the Speaker
shin. II is understood that Mr.. Koenie
gave him no encouragement and 1t Is prob
able that If an opposition candidate 10 Mer-
ritt is chosen It will he some upstate man
However. Assemblyman Dana said last
night that he was seriously considering the
advisabillty of formally announcing his can
didacy in a letter to the Republican AS
semblymen throughout the state to-day
such a course would serve TO arouse discus
sion on the subject and bring out the senti-
ment on Mr. Merritt upstate. which is what
Mr. Koenig wants
The movement for John Leo Sullivan. of
Chautauqua. started some time ago by the
Brooklyn Young Republican Club. has not
made the progress that was expected. and
difficulty has been found in getting the right
sort of a candidate to oppose Merritt be-
cause Of his long service in the Assembly
and his many friends there
President Koenig has no desire to go into
any losing fight against Mr.. Merritt. lie
feels. as many other Progressives do, thai
it would probably ALLEVIATE many indepen
dents from the Republican party If II
should place in power A man Of the reac-
tionary type Of Merritt. At the same time
he recognizes his strength and his technical
ability as a leader. due to his long service
So far no one has been able 10 convince
MIR. Koenig that successful fight can be
made against Mr.. Merritt.
"Our Assemblymen are not committed fc
any candidate" said Mr.. Koenig after the
conference yesterday. we had not had a
conference before as to our attitude on the
Speakership. We discussed it for an hour
hut no decision was reached. ] cannot pre-
dict whom we shall decide 10 support
II was learned that the arguments toI
and against Merritt were fully. discussed
and the willingness of Dana TO lead hsh'
against him was presented.
Il believe" said Assemhlyman Dana
that Merritt is entirely unacceptable as
Sneaker 10 many of rs. II ought not 10 be
said that the Republican party placed
man like that in high place OF honoi
without an opposing voice. We should not
let the election 20 by default. AT least.
"Tt makes no difference whether the name
Of the opponent is Dana or some other ou'
am willing TO make the fight, II 1t Is CON
sidered hest. Then we can have tul
discussion Of my qualifications, as opposed
to Mr.. Merritts."
II is understood that the Assemolymeh
elect in Kings County have held caucus
and decided to stand together on the speak
ersbin They could he counted in opposi
lion TO Merritt in case there was lineup
Some Of Mr.. Danas friends have also
counted that he could get votes from
Queens. from Nassau, from Suftolk'
from Erie. from Niagara, from Jefter-
con . from, Chautauaua. ] from HerkimeI
and from Cattaraugus which, counting
2S from New York and Kings, would make
s 4 majority of the Republican caucus
is n and Dana's friends think he could
nick enough other votes I'm the southern
tier TO win.
ON the other hand. the Merritt forces
EXPRESSED the utmo<t confidence last ngh'
that there was not a chance in the Woflu