Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-03-14
SCOTT OUSTED;|
SENATE FIGHTS
Governor Sulzer Has Biz
Contest on His Hands Over
the Matter.
SENATORS ARE IGNORED
Hits Back at Executive by
Refusing to Confirm His
Appointment.

! Albany, n. Y, March 1~4.-Governor
Sulzer removed Colonel Joseph Scott.
superintendent of prisons, after the
senate had passed a resolution request
ing the governor to have the charges
against Colonel Scott heard by IAN I'M
partial and unbiased tribunal"
The governor ignored the senate.
which by a unanimous vote had declin-
ed TO confirm the governors nomina-
ton OF Milton s.. Gibbs as the legal
member Of the state hospital commits
sion.
simultaneously with the removal OF
Colonel Scott the governor sent to the
senate the nomination of John 3. Riley
Of Plattsburgh. county Judge OF Gin
ton county, for superintendent Of pris
ons Without comment the senate. fol
lowing the usual procedure. referred
Judge Riley's nomination to the finance
committee.
1t was reported that as in the case
Of Mr.. Gibbs the senate would refuse
to confirm the nomination Of Judge
Riley. The finance committee will
meet next Wednesday.
Pending the confirmation Of a sue
cessor to Colonel Scott the governor
designated Owen L. Potter. executive
pardon clerk. a. his representative at
the head Of the prison system.
az have taken personal charge Of the
prison department" said the governor.
The nrst act Of Mr., Potter was to re-
move Acting Superintendent John q
Mcdowell. Colonel scott's secretary.
who said not long ago that "sulzer a
go to hell"
Mcdowell win Fight,
This has brought on another sQuab-
Bile. The governors letter appointing
Mr.. Potter names him as 'superintend-
ent Of prisons" Mcdowell says he Is
going to make a fight. He contends
that the governor has not the power
to make Mr.. Potter superintendent
nor has MI. Potter the authority to re-
move him. The opinion Of the attorney
generals Office Is that Mcdowell has
material for a legal battle II he cares
to make II.
Before the senate convened the Dem
ocratic senators held a conference n
received from Senator James j. Fraw-
ley, chairman Of the finance COMMITTEES.
the report of the committee that 1t had
unanimously decided to reject the nom
ination Of MI. Gibbs A few Of the sen
ators. notably Majority Leader John F.
Wagner. advised giving the governor q
chance to withdraw Mr.. Gibbs name
The Democratic senators wouldn't henr
Of It. The testimony against Mr.. Gibba
was that he had withheld several hun
dred dollars from italian clients for
damages recovered in railroad suits
ten years ago.
When the finance committee made its
report Senator Henry Salant. Progress
sive. Of New York city. asked II the
charges against Mr.. Gibbs had been
sustained.
Senate Throws Out 0ibhs.
absolutely" said Senator FrawIey
The only other comment IN the adop
ton Of the report was made BY Senator
Elon n. Brown. the minority leader.
who said that In submitting the name
Of Mr.. Gibbs the governor said that one
Of his qualifications was that Mr.. Gibbs
vas a Democrat and presided at the
only meeting in Monroe county at
which the governor spoke In the last
campaign.
"AIl can say," said Senator Brown.
SIS that the report of the committee
and the governors Endorsement do not
balance, and the loss Is with the gov
ernor."
Promptly the senate threw out Mr..
Gibbs without a dissenting vote. This
1s said to be an almost unprecedented
method Of passing upon a governors
nomination.