New-York tribune., 1912-01-02
MERR|TT'S ELECTION AS
SPEAKER SEEMS SURE
Little Doubt That St. Lawrence
ASSembIyman Will Be Nominee
of Republican Caucus.
SMITH LIKELY TO BE CLERK
Koenig, Declining to Admit De.
feat, Says Dana Men Would
Support Any Other Ac-
ceptable Candidate.
SMITH LIKELY TO BE CLERK
fBy Telegraph to The Tribune

Albany, Jan. members OF the Assem-
bly have been arriving in Albany all day
to-day, and tonight there is little doubt
that Edwin A. Merritt, jr., OF st. LawreGct
County. will be chosen as Speaker and Ray
b. Smith, OF Syracuse, as clerk at the Re-
publican caucus tomorrow night. Samue
s. Koenig. president OF the New York
Republican County Committee, who reached
here this evening, was emphatic In his dec
laration that Mr.. Smith could not be chosen
clerk. but was not so confident In relation
to the Speakershlp Mr.. Koenig, who was
accompanied from New York by Goelet
Gallatin, Il. W. V. Brown, Albert Ottinger
ogden l.. Mills, John Boyle. jr., and Will
lam Chadbourne. established headquarters
at the Ten Eyck to further the candidacy
Of Assemblyman Charles 4. Dana for
Speaker.
Mr.. Koenig gave out this statement or
the Speakership situation tonight:
7 am convinced that a large number OF
upstate Assemblymen are not pledged 70
support any candidate. and believe the
Speakership question is still unsettled
While the New York County Assemblymen
have indicated that they Will support AS
semblyman Charles A. Dana. | believe that
any other candidate who will represent the
best thought and sentiment OF the Repub-
lican party will be acceptable to them:
Their position is one OF unselfshness, and
is in the interest of the Republican party.
While the friends OF Mr. Smith are con-
fident of his election as clerk. there is still
said to be considerable opposition to him,
but It is not believed that 1t is strong
enough TO defeat him Howey"-. II this
In 81
before tomorrow night 10 make his cleo
ton impossible the plan OF the regulars Is
10 present the name OF ex-Assemblyman
Fred W. Hammond. OF Syracuse. II is
practically certain that Mr.. Hammond
could be chosen. but he has not come out
openly as a candidate because OF his friend
ship for Mr.. Smith.
The New York County Republican or
Canization is expected TO present the name
OF william II. Ten Eyck for the clerkship'
Ex-Assemblyman William l.. Nolan, or AL
bany. and Harry w. Haines, OF West
chester. appear TO be the strongest cahdl-
dates for sergeant-at-arms.
Other places on the slate which II IL
thought will go through tomorrow night
are expected to be distributed az follows
,ssemblyman Young. OF Westchester. for
soor leader: AGsemblyman whitney. OF Sar-
s,oga. for chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee; Assemblyrnan Parker OF
Washington. for chairman OF the Appro'
prlatlons Committee, subcommittee OF
Ways and Means.
The plan To have two different men hold
the positions OF majority leader and chair
man OF the Ways and Means Committee
has been practically decided Assemblyman
Hinman, Of Albany. probably will be the
chairman OF the Judiciary Committee, al
though Cyrus W. Philips. of Monroe, VIII
make n hard fight for It. Assemblyman
Colne. OF Kings County, Is expected TO be
the chairman OF the Cities Committee
Other positions and charmanshlps have not
| vet been settled and probably Will be the
subjects OF more or less trading before the
| caucus.
Mr. Koenig expressed the belief tonight
that II Kings County was against Merritt
no could not be chosen. The only member
| ~ the Kings County delegation to arrive
here to-day was Mr.. Colne, who himself
had been mentioned as candidate fol
Sneaker He, however, has withdrawh hi'
candidacy. Asked how the Kings county
men stood. he said they were not pledged
Ue would not tell what the sentiment wa'
| among them.
| The same situation exists among the Erie
| County members and. the friends OF MT
| Dana seem to feel that they hoid the pai
ance OF power. Assemblyman Macureso'
of Erie, who wants TO be floor leader' ar
rived here tonight, and was non-commltta
when asked as TO whom the Erie County
mon would throw their votes. 1t Is not De
,,oyod Mr.. MacGregor can muster enough
strength TO force his selection as noo'
loader but he will undoubtedly be takef
care OF by receiving the chairmanship o.
ono n, the more important committees.