New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-09
Senate Decides to Put the
Brown Tax Bill Ahead
of Whitman Measure
Vets Expect to Win
Leaders Say Upper House
Will Muster 81 Votes
Against Governor
-r,om st,- Correspondent Of N. rrisune

10 ON a ct1T Correspondent OF ms ftsAi"
Albany. March s.-Governor Whit
mans announced determination 20 force
the Legislature 70 pass the Hill-Wheei-
or local option bill for cities provoked
intense sub-surface activity to-day IN
both houses. The Republican leaders
in the Senate replied to the Governors
challenge b. deciding to report favor
ably on Monday the Brown liquor tax
law amendments, but not the Hill
Wheeler bill, which is in the same com
mittec.
The Governor was surprised wher IN
formed of the action of the committee
on taxation and retrenchment tonight.
IL is apparent that tremendous press
ure is being brought 20 bear not only
upon the legislators. but upon the
Governor himself. especially from in
fuential real estate interests in New
b York City.
II was suggested 20 the Governor
that If he decided 20 appeal 70 the peo-
pie OF the state 10 secure favorable ac-
ton on local option at this session he
could find no better way than by call
ing a special election in the 5lst Sena-
/ torial District to name a successor 70
! the late Senator George +. Spring, of
! Cattaraugus County, and campaigning
on the local option issue in that sec
| ton. Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and
/ neighboring counties were well rep
resented at the hearing on the bill yes
/ terday, and the Governor would find
/ that friendly and favorable territory.
Governor Stands Firm
Il want to make it absolutely clear"
/ said Governor Whitman. that / am
unalterably in favor Of the passage Of
/ this bill. The Democratic party per-
haps can afford to stand for the brew
/ cry and liquor interests and will prob.
! ably vote agains. the bill, but the Re-
publican party cannot afford TO take
1 such a stand II is a question Of the
/ right of American people TO decide 4
matter which they have a right TO de-
eide
81 am not opposed to any details that
might be incorporated in the bill to al
| low the interests concerned TO adjust
] themselves to the changed conditions
that probably would be brought about.
! believe the Senate will pass the meas
ure finally. and | am informed that the
Assembly committee will report il IA
vorably next week. IL IS my belief
that with the normal sentiment of the
people Of the state supporting the bill
its passage can be secured"
A canvass among the Senators. how
ever, indicates that right now the OPP
ponents Of the bill have enough votes.
with two or three perhaps 20 spare. 10
defeat il. The Republican leaders who
are opposed TO the legislation expressed
confidence that IL viii not pass the up
per house. and one Of them declared
emphstically:
IF the Governor assumes pug
nacious attitude on this matter he will
get sound licking in the Senate. That
seems to be certain"
Count p Wet Votes
The Senate is now composed Of fifty
members. Twenty-siX votes are neces-
sary TO pass a bill. and the fifteen
y Democrats are expected TO vote soidly
against any local option or prohibition
measures. Most of the Republican
members from New York City, with per-
haps two exceptions. will probably vote
4 No and the opponents of the Hill
Wheeler bill say they will have enough
upstate Republican votes TO total about
tWep ty-seven Senators in the neQativs.