New-York tribune., 1912-01-04
LEGISLATURE At WORK
Harmony in Assembly, Much
DiSCord in Senate.
MERRITT ELECTED SPEAKER
democrats in Upper House in
Tangle over Filling Minor
Place, Tammany Winning.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune !

Albany. Jan. 3.-The Republicans came
into their own" as they phrased it, in the
assembly to-day, with all outward signs OF
reioiclng Not in many years has there
been such a floral display or such an at
,.n,ance of spectators at the formal organ
,,otim Of the lower house. And the rea-
on for it all was typiaed by one of the
dscorations on the desk of the Speaker
elect. Edwin A. Merritt, jr, figure of ar
a,sphant, trunk raised and mouth open IN
iovial, elephantine laugh.
As II to show that their years loss OF
control had not injured their Legislative
..poyers the Republicans slid through the
routine of organization as if the cogs OF
the machine had been newly creased. il
was in striking contrast to an exhibition
Of Democratic ill-luck or poor management
in the Senate-such an exhibition Of mis-
hap or incompetence as persisted al
through last year.
The Democrats had not held a caucus re-
garding the minor offices of the Senate
which are filed each year The organiza-
tion had prepared a slate. which was eX
pected to go through without opposition
Unfortunately, some members of the Sen
ate not too closely allied with Tammany
figured that ex-Assemblyman Sheide, OF
Suffolk County, should be elected assistant
rgeant-at-arms, and presented his name
after the name Of John J. Dillon, of New
Rochelle, had been presented according tc
the organization schedule.
Vote Is Reconsidered.
There was a vote, on which the Lieu
tenant Governor declared Dillon elected
Immediately Brooklyn and Queens Demo
Gratis protested in Sheide's behalf. insisting
on a reconsideration Of the vote. The Re
publicans voted with them, and the vote
. was reconsidered, 16 TO g.
Senator Wagner. Tammany leader. very
red. backed out OF the mess as best he
could by declaring he had not been con-
suited about Sheide, and knew of no oppo-
sition 10 Dillon He suggested postpone
ment Of action and a conference. This was
agreed to. Finally. late in the day Tam
many's strong arm prevailed and Dillor
was elected.
ON the vote for Speaker Mr.. Merritt reg
istered the full strength Of the Republicans
present--ninety-four votes After taking
the oath of Office he made a brief speech
saying that as Speaker he did not deem f
his duty TO declare or dictate policies Tht
chief duty. Of the Republicans was to ac
together in harmony, he thought and e
finish the legislative business speedily.
In addition to electing Mr.. Merritt a.
Speaker the Assembly named Frederick w
Hammond, Of Syracuse clerk, and Harry
W Haines, Of Westchester. sergeant-at
arms.
Conway Fears Too Many Laws.
\ In calling the Senate TO order after
prayer by Bishop Doane Lieutenant Gov
ernor Conway expressed the belief that the
tendency to enact too many laws IS wrong
and should be checked. He said:
We cannot overlook the fact that there
exists to-day a widespread and growing
or truly represent the best thought and the
high standards in business and morals gen
orally looked for by the people; that or
canized selfShness and constituencies av-
arice too often shape our laws so as tC
pense OF the majority. Hence the existence
Of and growing demand for new and untriec
experiments in government among then
F.: being the initiative, the referendum and
the recall.
B6th houses, adjourned until next