New-York tribune., 1912-02-22
Names BisSeII and Riggs as
Public Service Commission
ers Against Tammany
BosS'S Wishes.
SENATE MAY NOT CONFIRM
Republicans Against Upstate
Man Also-Sheehan Interests
Backing Brooklynite-
w. H. Sullivan Tax
Commissioner.
rBy Telegraph to The tribune. J

actually sent to the Senate the noinlni-
ton of Edward G. Riggs. of Brooklyn, 20
be Public Service Commissioner for the
lst District and Herbert p. Bissell, Of
Buffalo. for the I'd District. He also
caused surprise by naming William II.
Sullivan, of Norwich, TO be Tax COM
missioner TO succeed Egbert Il. Wood
bury, instead of Daniel Toomey, who
was supposed to be slated for the job
The Riggs and Bissell appointments
will be fought by Tammany with all its
power. The nominations were received
in dead silence and referred TO the
Finance Committee. That committee
has not yet decided what action 1t will
take It is under Tammany domination.
1t can either report the nominations ad-
versely. in which case the Senate would
have TO vote on the question of sustain
ing that report, or refuse to report them.
1t would require twenty-six votes to dis
charge the committee, and the organiza-
ton men figure the Bissell and Riggs
men cannot possibly muster that num-
Der. II the committee refused to report
the nominations the Governor would be
tied up, and could only make interim ap-
pointments after the Legislature ad-
journed. Some lawyers hold that in
such case he could not name Messrs
Riggs and BisselL
Waqner Attacks Riggs.
Senator Wagner, Tammany's floor
leader, came out to-day in public staIe-
ment attacking Mr.. Riggs and declaring
that he would oppose his confirmation TO
the utmost. The opposition of Murphy,
of Tammany, and Fitzpatrick. OF Buff
falo, to Mr.. Bssell is more violent than
ever. Senator Wagner said he did hot
expect Mr. Bissell TO be confirmed.
Later he will have something 10 say
about Mr.. Bissell's business record. Mr..
Sullivan, who is a sort of half insurgent
Democrat in Chenango County. may be
confirr-ed. as he is understood To be
close friend of Daniel F. Cohalan.
No chances were taken regarding the
Senate's adjournment to-day before the
Governor could send in the appoint
ments as ii did yesterday. That body
convened promptly Two minutes after
the hour Commander DcKay, the Gov
ernor's military secretary. poked his
head through a door, saw that the Sen
ate was doing business and retreated IN
good order. but in doublc-quick time.
Five minutes thereafter John Mason.
the Governors secretary. appeared nj
the big double doors Of the Senate cham
ber and raped for admittance. He got
ii. presented the three blue envelopes
formally and withdrew.
Break with Murphy Realized.
When the nominations were read
everybody within hearing realized that
for some reason and through some
strange force the Governor at last had
broken with Murphy, the boss who made
him Governor and has controlled him
practically in every matter Of impor-
tance since. This fact was hammered
home when Senator Wagner, volcing the
Tammany attitude, made this formal
statement regarding Mr. Riggs:
The nomination OF Mr.. Riggs for Public
Service Commissioner. OF the First District
Is most unfortunate. Up To- this time the
Governors appointments for public office
Fave been most excellent, as every fair
minded cllizen must admit. and it Is TO be
regretted that In this appointment the Gov
ernor. In my judgment. has made a very
serious mistake.
The people OF New York City to-day are
insisting that the subway problem he solved
at once. and in its solution that their inter
ests be safeguarded. For this reason this
nomination will come as a great disappoint-
ment to them.
II was also practically agreed that the
commissioners to he nominated should be a
resident Of Brooklyn and one who would
represent the best interests of the people
of Brooklyn upon the commission And vet
in my conversations with the Senators
representing the Borough Of BROOKLYN they
all agree. with the exception OF one that
Mr.. RIGGS does not represent that interest
J.. therefore, feel ii my duty to the people
of the city of New York to oppose 10 The
utmost his confirmation.
When informed Of the statement of
Senator Wagner Governor Dix said:
desired some one who had made study
of public questions, and / feel that Mr.
Riggs Is compet, mt as a student OF that
nature OF course there are differences OF
opinion on all questions
The fight between the Governor and
Murphy and his allied bosses will be
for control Of the Senate, and RepubIi-
can votes will decide the issue. All ex-
cept two Republicans. Senators Brackett
and Thomas, are opposed TO Mr.. Bissell
They figure his BUSINESS record his con-
nection with the Economic Power Com
pany and various other details unfit him
10 he Public Service Commissioners.
There is n thorough understanding
among them that it is the Republican
policy TO vote against Mr.. Bissell So
strong is the feeling that. If necessary
a caucus will be called and caucus ac-
ton taken to bind them to vote agains. !.
the Buffalo man.
Keeps Republican in Job.
This position is strengthened by the
fact that so long as Mr.. Bissell Is ken,
out of the place Mr. Olmsted. the pres
ent commissioner and Republican
holds it. Governor Dix is said to have
said that II the Senate refused TO con-
firm Mr. Bissell he would reappoint Mr.
Olmsted. That would please the Re-
publicans greatly and would dspleass
the Democratic organization" less thar
tn have Mr.. Bissell, who is an old Con-
pers associate, confirmed. That would
he too great ga blow to Murphy and
Fitzpatrick.
AS a body the Republicans have taken
no position on the confirmation OF Mr.,
Continued on third page.