New-York tribune., 1912-03-16
DIX, VEXED, WILL LETd
OLMSTED HOLD OVER
Governor. Praising 8isse|I, De.
clares He Has No Second Choice
and Will Have None.
MCARR0lL MAY STAY, TOO
Executive Asks What Buffalo
Man Has Done to Justify
Withdrawal of Con.
fidence."
IBy Telegraph 10 Tho rrihune !


Albany. March 15.-In n formal s,s,an.r,
which he gave out this afternoon in con-
nection with the failure of the Senate IN
conhrm Herbert 2. Bissell, of Buffalo. his
appointee Tor the upstate Public Service
Commission. Governor Dix said
Mr.. Bissel was not only my first choice
at the time. but then had no second
choice, and / have no second choice now.
nor shall / have any"
There is only one explanation OF this part
Of the statement, and that is that Governor
Dix intends to permit the present Republi-
can incumbent, John B. Olmsted. of Buff
falo, to continue In the position until his
successor is appoirted by the Governor to
be elected next fall
When asked II he would follow this same
course in connection with the failure OF the
Senate to confirm Edward G. Riggs for
New York Public Service Commissioner,
tho Governor merely called attention to the
statement he made at that time. He said
that statement explained his position in
regard to the Riggs appointment. What
he said when Riggs was rejected did not
indicate whether he was considering an
other man for the position, but II has been
thought ever since then that he would send
IN another name before the end OF the
session. There is, however, strong pos
sibilty that Commissioner McCarroll viii
also hold over until his successor Is ap'
pointed by the next Governor.
Before the Governors statement was
given out, Tammany representatives In the
LEGISLATURE declared they were not dis
turbed over the report that the Governor
would open hostilities on their organization
because of the Senate's action on the Bis
sell appointment. They said there was no
legislation at stake so far as the Tammany
organization is concerned, and that as Tor
patronage there is not much left. But they
apparently did not think that the Gov
ernor would dare TO let Commissioners
Olrnsted and McCarroll retain their places
with the possibility of the next Governor
being Republican
Dix's EuIogy Of eisssll.
This statement concerning Mr.. Bissel
was given out by the Governor:
selected Mr. BisselI because. in my
judgment, he is, In character, ablllty, trslil-
Ing and temperament conspieuousiy aush a,hia
fed for this important and responslple
Office. And ! am convinced that my yuoe
ment in this respect of personal fitness was
not az fault for the reason that neither IN
the debate on the nomination nor, ss lar
as [ have learned, In any pubic or private
comment thereupon has there oeen ufsea
a single objection on that score. IL uh-
fortunately appears that questions OF party
fitness, of political expediency ana OF sem,
torial courtesy are also TO be considered
i'm such a case. While deprecaunS tnis
fact. It's existence may not DC denied. ana
the public is accordingly entitled 10 an eA-
preston OF my CONVICTIONS upon that Ss'
pect OF the case as well ,.
In regard TO party fitness, II snolla %
enough 10 say in reminder that Mr.. Bisseli
has In more than one instance received
from his party a notable expression Oh
confidence, both In his selection Tor most
honorable party position and In ms ap-
polntment under unanimous party ap-
proval, 10 high public Office. II may talrly
no asked, What has he since done 20 justify
withdrawal of the confidence SO recen,y
and with such absolute unreserve repose1
in him? ! am aware OF nothing or paru-
san nature which he has done since re-
ceiying these honors except 20 labor un-
ceasngly for the public veal and with mgr
minded devotion for the party welfare and
success. And, finally with regard 10 Sens-
a consideration properly exists, believe
that any possible requirement from ms
standpoint has been met by the tact that
two OF the three Senators from his none
district are heartily in favor OF Mr., Bissell
appointment, the significance OF which fact
has been emphasized by the cordial ap-
proval and support OF all their party as
sociates outside OF the metropolitan district
Mr. Bissell was not only my first choice
at the time. but / then had no second
choice, and for the reasons stated have
no second choice now nor shall have any.