New-York tribune., 1912-01-04
SOCIALIST IN ASSEMBLY
First to Enter Legislature
Comes with Brass Band.
ASKS RADICAL LABOR LAWS
H. M. Merrill, of Schenectady,
Also Out for Home Rule and
Direct Primaries.
tBy'Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Albany, Jan "A quiet little man. with
smooth face and light hair. is Assembly
man Herbert NJ Merrill. of schenectady
the first Socialist ever elected to the New
York State Legislature. but to-day he was
forced 10 be the centre Of triumphant entry
into the capital city.
With flaming banners, band and about
one hundred other followers OF Mayor
L,inn, including several women, he ar
rived here about IL a. m. committee or
Albany Socialists met the Schenectady
delegation at the railroad station. Then
forming in line, headed by the band. the
advocates of an equal division OF wealth
marched up to the Capitol. The new mem
her walked under a banner carried by two
Of his compatriots, announcing that he
"was the rirst but not the last Socialist
representative TO the Empire State Legis-
lature."
The progress up State street was maze
10 the air of THE Marseillaise". and The
Battle Hymn OF the Republic In the
parade the Socialist red flag was carried
ahead of the Stars and Stripes, ana those
in the line Of march wore red badges. A
commotion was caused when Mr.. Merrill
entered the Assembly chamber, but he was
greeted cordially by the members OF the
old-Iine parties. while his followers TOOK
places behind the brass railing or In the
galleries. They applauded Justify Wheh the
name of the lone member or their party
was called on the roll call, and they e1-
| fectually drowned out the voice OF the cierh n
when their champion asked TO be excused
from voting for Speaker
"Tbere being no other member OF the
marty which | represent in the Assembly
nj The present time" he said' i want 10
be recorded as not voting
IIis renuest was granted. But when the
voting for the election Of the Assembly
officials was reached Mr.. Merrill showed
that he had apparently held a caucus an
| by himself. AS his name was called ne
presented name for every place from
clerk to stenographer Asked about legls-
lation which the Socialist party INTENDED
10 present 20 tho Assembly through hllh'
| Mr. Merrill said that members OF the state
executive committee are now In New YORK
CITY drafting bills carrying out the IDEAS
| Of the party
81 will introduce bills" he said. (which
will provide greater home rule for New
York state cities. We want TO make cities
freer from legislative authority, particular
" for the purpose OF enabling any city
| that sees NJ to bring about municipal own
( crship of public utilities without the neces-
sitv of coming to the Legislature.
Eve are also particularly Interested IN
labor legislation, and 1 shall support any
measure. no matter by whom introduced
| II I believe II will assist the laboring
man. A bill which is now being drafted
is the same as recent law In Massa-
cbusetts, prohibiting newspapers from ad-
vertising for strike breakers unless II IS
announced that strike is on
Mr.. Merrill said that the Socialist party
was interested in direct primaries and ne
boped to get legislation which would give
the Socialist and other minor parties
more rights in primary elections. lie be-
ueved that the present primary laws mill
tated against the minor parties IN that
they would permit the leaders OF one or
the other OF the principal parties TO gam
control OF the Socialist organization FOR
instance. by getting their followers 10
enroll as Socialists.