New-York tribune., 1912-01-17
TAMMANY PUTS CHECKS
ON DIX APPOINTMENTS
Senate Conference and Finance
Committee to Pass on Gov
ernor'S Nominees.
RICH PATRONAGE IS OPEN
Bissell, of Buffalo, May Be New
State Chairman-Prlmary
Law Amendments
Considered

was deciding tonight about his distriou-
tion of fat patronage Tomorrow and IN
tho ensuing few weeks, the Tammany
control in the Democratic Senate was
working out plan by which that Or
ganization will be able to hold cluD
over the Governor if at any time he tries
ia balk Boss Murphys plans. The Gov
ernor has TO appoint a Health officer
for the Port Of New York, two Pubic
Service Commissioners, superintendent
of Insurance and other officials WIN
good salaries and political potentialities'
But the Senate has 10 confirm them.
Immediately after the session of the
Senate to-day conference Of the Demo
cratic Senators was announced by Sen
ator Wagner, temporary President
When it convened he suggested that 10
promote harmony of action it would he
desirable to have all future appointments
rassed on by the conference before the
Finance Committee acted on them. THIS
would prevent any friction, he argued;
would insure each district getting proper
consideration and generally would bring
about peace and prosperity. Much dis
cussion ensued. and finally the plan was
adopted.
Gives Tammany Two Chances.
AS a matter Of fact this gives Tam
many two chances to hold up appoint
ments or force the right kind, rather
than one chance at the Governor. Tam
many dominates the conference and is in
control II the 'inance Committee.
All indications point TO the fact that
the Legislature is to be used by both
political parties as battlefield this year.
Murphy and Tammany lost the Assem-
bly,, which fell into the hands of the Re
publcans. But the Tammany control Of
the Senate still is a great asset for Muir
ply. both in positive sense-the
strengthening of his position through
patronage and prestige-and in a less
positive fashion, through the power 1t
gives him to attack Republicans and
check Republican legislation.
Murphy and his aids here have not
overlooked that in any degree. They
have not forgotten the fact that the
Governors dropping political ambitions
are reviving, and that for his reputa-
tion's sake he will try TO make few
grandstand plays indicating break
with Tammany. This would not dis
please Murphy II he knew just how far
Dix was likely to go, but he never has
been able to be positive what the Gov
ernor would do at any given moment,
he gg
balances which will Keep the Dix waver-
ings within definite limits and will per.
nit him to make grandstand plays only
OF a character which will not hurt Tam
many.
Mack Consults with Dix.
Also, Murphy wants TO keep close tabs
on Governor Dix right now because OF
the selection Of new Democratic state
chairman. Norman f. Mack, the pres
ent chairman, had a long conference
with the Governor to-day. He came
here fresh from a talk with Murphy in
New York on patronage and state com
mittee affairs.
He told the Governor that his one and
only candidate for the state chairman
ship was Herbert p Bssell, of Buffalo,
who also has had notion that he would
like TO be appointed Public Service Com
missioner for the upstate district Bis
SELL the Governor said to-day, had not
made up his mind whether he wanted
the $1,000 job more than the honor of
being state chairman. The Governor s
tone, taken with Mr.. Mack's earnest ad-
Vocacy Of Bssell, makes the politicians
here figure that he is mighty likely to be
the next chairman.
The Governgv is expected to send he
names Of his appointees to the Senate to-
morrow. He had to entertain delega-
tion from the Brooklyn transit con-
ference to-day regarding a successor 10
William McCarrOl in the 1st District
commission. The delegation urged him
To appoint some man Of the type Of
David 4. Boody or Arthur O'Keeffe.
Later lawyer called and urged the
merits Of John H. McCooey and Bird s.
Coler. Herman a. Metz also is a candi-
date
Direct Primary Also Discussed.
It ltHlONIdt4N conference discussed
amendments 10 the direct primary law
at great length. Several suggestions
made by the more radical Democrats
were adopted in the tentative pro.
gramme
1t was decided to meet The decision of
Justice Blur by applying the law for
spring primaries 10 New York city as
we'll as the rest Of the state. and by per
mtting the name of candidate TO ap-
pear morc than once on the primary
ballot
No decision was reached regarding he
use Of the party emblem in the primary
fight, which Justice Blur declared was
unconstitutional
There VIII be future conferences on
this legislation, as it is the intention OF
Democrats TO sure all the defects in the
existing law, even if it is not altered in
scheme or extended in its scope Even
that is unlikely TO prove acceptable to
the Republican Assembly, so there is a
prospect o a lively fight in both houses
and between the two houses on this mat
ter, which seems to be regarded as
possibility Of gaining partisan advantage
rather than I'm any other light
DEATH PENALTY INQUIRY