New-York tribune., 1911-12-29
DANA STARTS UPSTATE |
AsSembiyman to Get Sentiment
on His Race for Speaker.
MERRITT MEN CONFIDENT
Direct Primaries Association
Asks the Three Candidates
How They Stand.

Not dauntcd by the statements Of the
friends OF Edwin A. Merritt, jr, that nc
has at least sixty votes TO elect him Speak
or OF the Assembly (ffty-one being ma
iority of the Republican caucus), Assem-
blyman Charles A. Dana, the candidate or
the New York County organization. start
cd upstate yesterday morning on a hunt
for votes.
Before leaving the city Mr.. Dana pre-
pared the following statement which was
given out on his behalf last night:
The selection OF Ray Il. Smith as Clerk
of the Assembly would be grave mis-
fortune to the Republican party OF TINS
state. There Is a statewide Dissatisfaction
al his attempting 10 regain this office, and
! regret exceedingly that Mr.: Merritt
should support Mr.. Smiths candidacy iGr %
have not yet forgotten his charter activity.
There is a large amount OF dlssatlslac-
ton throughout the state at the nanle.
and way the Legislature has heretofore
been controlled by the inside ring or legls-
lstors All bills which have large meas,
ure of public support should not be chohcu
and held in committee, but opportunity
should be offered for fair and frank dis.
cussion of the merits and dement's or
such legislation on the floor OF the AS
sembly.
S s. Koenig president Of the New York
County Republican Committee. declared
that they were going along testing the sem
timent throughout the stat. and expected
to know just where they s,ood before the
caucus was called on Tuesday.
The Merritt men declared that two OF the
eleven Assemblymen from this county who
came out for Dana on Thursday could not
enter the Republican caucus because they
had described themselves as independence
Leasuers to Mr.. Van Nance, clerk of the
Assembly. They are Assemblymen- elect
William B. Ruddick, of the 33d District
and William p. Fleck of the 34th.
"I don't know about that" said Mr..
Koenig but / guess the Republicans will
not want TO exclude them from the caucus
if they declare themselves as wishing 10 act
with the Republicans in the legislative pro-
gramme Of the year. They have attended
our conferences here. and I have no doubt
intend 10 act with us. You will not find
think. any disposition TO keep them from
the caucus. If they wish TO go in
In order that they may get on record the
views OF the various candidates for Speaker
the Direct Primaries Association Of the
state of New York. of which Judge William
II. Wadhams is president sent yesterday to
the latter Of Chatauqua a letter. They
are asked whether they favor IAN honest
and genuine" direct primary bill and, as
their views may affect the attitude of mem
bers Of the Assembly toward their Speak
ership aspirations they are asked to make
reply before the caucus on Tuesday.
The teyt~of the letter follows:
As YOU are a Republican candidate fer
C-r.o. tl-or. Of h. in
quire whether you personally support tie
declaration i'm the Republican state plat
form in favor of directly eiccting party
officers and directly nominating party cam
didates, and whether you will use all hon
orabo means 10 obtain the enactment OF a
direct primary law which will place upon
the statute books an honest and eenun"
direct primary bill to carry out tho pledse
of the Republican platform. in accordance
with the declaration OF that platform.
whicH FHi viii enact those prtncries ir1o law
You have heretofore opposed direct nom
nations, having been not only outspol<e9
in YOUR opposition, but also having voted
against direct nomination legislation.
As you arc now seeking favor At the
hands of the members of the Republican
Legislature. all OF whom were elected since
nominations in its last state platform. and
many OF whom made this their PRINCIPAL
issue. and as the Republicans are in d
majority in the Assembly. it becomes, 4
matter of concern to the Direct Primaries
Association OF the state OF New York 10
ascertain whether or not YOU are prepared
TO support tho platform of tho Republican
party in Now York State.
Tnasmuch as Your answer may affect the
attitude Of Republican members Of the
LEGISLATURE elected on this issue, your re-
ply is requested before the Republican
members OF tho Legislature meet in caucus
TO select candidate for Speaker Of tho
Assembly.
In Kings County. where tho present
leaders arc opposed TO the odd Guard"
the Merritt mcn say they have secured
the support Of a large number of
the Assemblymen. Thie support was oh
taincd. thev declare. before the conference.
at which the delegation decided to stand
together. II was said last night that the
fifteen Assemblymen from Kings County
would hold conference tonight 10 discuss
further the Sphakcrship.
Assemblymen Yale. of Putnam. and
Young. Of Westchester. We're In the city
20 sec Assemblyman Merritt yesterday, but
found that he had not returned since the
Christmas holiday. Botc are firm support.
ers Of Merritt and declare that he Will win
in walk
NrIfnN hrnnAIAIITINN