The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-18
NO SPECIAL ELECTION 1
FOR CONGRESS SEATS
Recommendation Made at Meet
ing Of Republican state
Committee.
FOR A NEW FINANCE PLAN

There will be no special elections to
choose successors to the late Representa-
tives Edward A. Merritt and Serene II.
Payne. unless President Wilson calls Con-
gress into extraordinary session on March
4. The Republican State committee so
recommended at its meeting In the Repub-
lican Club yesterday. and Gov. Whitman
will undoubtedly comply.
Even II special elections were held
the winning candidates could not sit in
the regular Congress session this winter
And Il no extra session II called their
services would no' be needed. until next
winter. and the regular election next No.
Vemher would suffice Most politicians
dislike 20 expose themselves TO fire In "A
special election, and the action OF the
state committee suits them exactly.
1t appeared certain yesterday that the
organization selection In the Thirty-firs
district for Mr.. Merritts seat Is John +.
OBrien OF Plattsburg. recently Collector
OF the Port OF Champlain. and that
Charles ii. Belts. the Lyons editor who Is
noted for his controversies with Col.
Roosevelt has the call In the Thirty-sixth
district. which Mr.. Payne represented.
Fifty OF the sixty-two members of the
State committee attended the meeting
which was the first since the November
election and was full OF hilarity. The
other twelve members were represented
by proxies. who had to pay ten cents
apiece war tax on their certificates.
In order to keep the party treasury per
manently sound a resolution calling for
a sustaining membership of 5000 Repub-
Leans was passed Each sustaining MEM
Der will he expected to pay So u privi-
lege to be allotted to n proportionately
equal number of men in each Assembly
district.
Chairman Tanner was empowered TO
appoint finance committee OF nine
membere-a thing the party has never
had before except in campaigns-and a
law committee of nine. which is an inno-
walton. Another committee. to be named
by Mr. Tanner. will try to persuade the
state to bear the expense OF direct pr-
maries preceding special elections.
The report OF Treasurer Alexander NJ.
White revealed a deficit OF SIC EOS. OF.
II the sustaining members do their part
this Will be easily wiped out.
The state committee adjourned after
whouping up resolution prais.ng Chair
man Tanner and amer passing another
resolution Oh the death OF congressman
Payne and Merritt.
The county chairmen also held a meet
ing. which was characterized by cheerful
gossip and predictions OF success in 1916
Changes in the public service law were
discussed informally by ali the Repub
hcans. but II was agreed that Gov. Whit
man and the Legislature should not be
hampered by recommendations from the
state committee.
There were indications OF a sharp con-
test for the craftsmanship OF the Senate
Finance Committee. Some Of the Senators
who don't live In Albany will insist that
William Barnes and his friends are going
too far in selecting Harvey J. Human for
floor leader in the Assembly and Henry
VI. Sage for chairman OF the Finance
Committee OF the Senate. Both these men
are Alhanians.
Comptroller-elect Travis announced last
night that he would appoint Daniel A
Lisle ~ Holland Patent as attorney for
the transfer tax appraisers in Oneida
county.