New-York tribune., 1911-12-09
'OPPOSE {. A. MERRITT, JR.
Young Republicans Would Elect
J. l.. Sullivan Speaker.
TO MAKE UPSTATE FIGHT
Brooklyn Men Say st. Lawrence
Candidate Is Too Closely Affil-
lated with the Old Guard.

Asssmblyman Edwin A. Merritt, tr., OF ST.
Lawrence County. as Speaker or the AS
sembly has developed. In resolutions de-
cIaring that his election would be reac-
t,onarv step the Brooklyn Young Republi-
can Club has declared against him and In
favor Of Assemblyman John Leo sullivan,
OF Chautauaua County. for Speaker.
This may be the beginning of fight to
control the Assembly, in which the Progress
sives In the state will line up -ainst the
"Old Guard" with which group Assembly
man Merritt has always been connected.
Not from the start have the Progressives
liked the idea OF placing Merritt In the
Speakers chair because Of his afiiliston
with the old regime in Albany. They recog-
nize his ability. however, and have been
puzzIed TO find a candidate to oppose him.
Soon after the last election the Assem-
blymen-elect from New York City-ffteen
In New York County fifteen IN Kings
County and two in Queens County-agreed
that they would not bind themselves to
any candidate until after duo considera-
ton. They are still unpledged.
II has been said that the New YORK
County leaders had decided that 1t would
not be worth while to make any hght
| against Merritt. That is not the fact.
They are rot anxious to go into the move
ment unless there is some chance OF sue
cess. and what chance they might have is
still au undecided factor.
To Bring Out Real Sentiment.
II is expected that the fight started by
the Brooklyn Young Republican club VIII
go a long way toward bringing out the real
sentiment throughout the state. The cluo
! has already sent a copy Of its resolutions
| to each Assemblyman-elect and is prepared
to follow II up with arguments against the
| election OF Merritt and IN favor OF the
| election of Sullivan. Among other Things
the club will send out a report OF the at
| titude taken by Merritt on all public mat
| ters for several years past, as well as other
reasons why they think # would be un-
wise 10 elect him Speaker.
! There was some talk of supporting AS
sembiyman Frank l.. Young. Of Westchest'
o.. for Speaker. but 1t was reported that
! Mr. Young would be satisfied to take the
floor leadership under Mr.. Merritt, so the
| consideration Of his name was dropped
Asssmblyman Bradford Il. Lansing, OF
Rensselaer,, has been put forward Tor
Speaker by the Rev. 0. r. Miller, who con-
Quoted a fight against any amendments to
the anti-racetrack gambling laws. Assem-
blyman Clarence MacGregor, of Erie, and
Assemblyman James s. Parker, OF WASH
ington County, are also candidates. Some
hold the view that Assemblyman Parker
might make an acceptable compromise can
! didate.
The Young Republican Club believes It
/ I'm n
upstate and that II II can demonstrate that
he can be beaten the Assemblymen from
this city and from Erie County, al least
may be counted upon as favorable to the
election OF another man.
The resolutions adopted by the club refer
TO the progressive platform adopted at the
state convention in Saratoga, pledging the
party TO the support OF such policies as
! had been the keynotes OF the Roosevelt
and Taft administrations In the nation and
OF the administration Of Charles z. Hughes
in the state. They went on TO say that
the election Of Assemblyman Merritt as
Speaker would be in direct contraventon
of the spirit of that convention and would
be step backward, which would invite
defeat al the polls in the important cleo
| tions OF 1912"
"Man Of Progressive Principles"
They say OF Assemblyman Sullivan that
bo+b bv his votes on the important meas
ures which have come up during his term
OF service in the Assembly and III his
work on the Judiciary Committee he has
proved himself to be a man Of progressive
PRINCIPLES and marked ability.
Assemblynlan Sullivan is a lawyer about
thirty-two years old, and will enter on his
| fourth term in the Assembly. His home Is
In Dunkirk, in the I'd Chautauqua District
eve believe the election OF Merritt would
be a mistake" said Mr.. James, president
OF the Young Republican Club, yesterday.
| sThe people Of the state would not credit
! the Republican party with good faith If
after the progressive stand they took at
Saratoga they continued in power those
| oppo.ed to that stand. 1t would look as
though the Saratoga platform was simply
To- campaign purposes. In addition TO the
loss of prestige that such an attitude would
bring about, the party would lose the con-
6dence of the voters in the campaign Of
1912 We believe that Assembyman Sulli-
van would make a good Speaker and will
make campaign throughout the state for
I him"
Mr.. James has been in Washington re-
Gently, but refused 10 say yesterday what
he had learned, II anything, in regard 70
President Tafts views on the question.
For a time there was some talk about
New York County making fight for the
Speakership, inasmuch as there are to
no thirty-two Assemblymen from New
| York CITY in the next Assembly. That
was only talk, however, as it is agreed that
the Speakershlp should 90 to an upstate
district However. the leaders here are
going 10 demand the place OF clerk Of the
Assembly. and It Il understood that Mr..
Barnes. state chairman, has voiced no op-
nosition TO that proposition.
William H. Ten Eyck, leader of the south
end OF the 32d District. has already an
nounced himself as candidate He has
no particular claims on the organization,
however. as he has been allied with the old
Odeu element In the county committee.
Frank K Bowers. leader OF the goth Dis
tr,ct. has been spoken OF most favorably.
He ,s at present one OF the state transfer
tax appraisers. but is likely to be deprived
! ~ that place by the Democratic admins
tration in Albany any day. He has had
several years experience In the Assembly
as an assistant clerk