New-York tribune., 1918-03-04
Fight Against
Governor Goes
To Legislature
Stirring Struggle Predicted
in Five Closing Weeks
Of Session
School Law an Issue
Opponents Seize Upon Proh;.
bition and Restoration Of
Party Convention
School Law an Issue
lStof Correspondence

wv
ALBANY, N. Y, March 9.-Tae
Legislature starts on its last five
weeks tomorrow, with practically all
Of its work yet to be done Legislation
OF the most controversial type remains
to be disposed of, and the discussions
on these measures will enliven the clos.
ing weeks in a manner unknown since
the racetrack legislation of the regime
OF Governor Hughes
And as in the days of Hughes the
fate OF the chief executive, in the opip-
ION of some observers here, is linked
up with some of the legislation Others
hold that regardless of what this Legis
lature may do. Governor Whitman is
assured of third term, which he homes
to use as a vehicle to capture the Re-
publican nomination for President in
1920.
But there is one big obstacle in his
path: The Barnes Brown machine,
which is using all its power, visible
and invisible, to destroy Whitmans
Presidential ambitions by preventing
his denomination. SO far the Barnes
ing great deal of the unrest among
the farmers against the Governor and
if it succeeds in maintaining this spirit
until primary day, there is posi-
biity that a Barnes Brown candidate
may be named.
The next week will see this fight of
| the Whitman and anti-Whtman forces,
which for the most part has been con-
fined to meetings Of agricultursts,
transferred to the Legislature. The
Governor has sent message to the
Legislature urging the immediate re-
peal of the township school law. Elon
r. Brown, majority leader of the SEN
ate, is convinced that if the Legisla-
ture does this it will be a suicidal act
The farmers, who fought for the pas
sage of this bill last year. are now
clamoring for its repeal. Their sole
objection is that it means more taxes
Brown Opposes Repeal
Senator Brown. the leader of the
anti Whitman forces here, is sincere
in his fight against the repeal of the
act He wants it amended so that the
farmer will rot have TO bear the add
tonal expense. His idea is to add
million dollars to the education budget
and use the extra million for amelo-
rating the conditions complained OF
lators fear the farmers, and arc for
repeating the act Brown will fight the
repeal in the Senate, and he has be-
hind him the educators of the state,
who fear that if the act is repealed
educational conditions in rural com
munities will be worse off than ever.
1t is generally conceded that the
farmer is using the township school
law merely as means CT showing his
resentment against high prices, lack
of labor. lack Of transportation, and
other problems caused by the war.
1t was this resentment which the anti
! Whitman Republicans used to such ad-
vantage in their fight against the Gov
ernor, and which resulted in the Gov
ernor's withdrawal of his nominations
to the Farms and Market Council. 1t
is the same resentment which the Dem
ocrats are trying to capitalize IN their
efforts, preliminary to the big drive
next fall. when they will attempt to
wrest the state from Republican con-
troll.
Perhaps of even greater importance
to the rural legislators are the prom
bition measures now pending before the
Legislature. They fear that the Anti
Temperance Union and other organlza-
tions behind the Federal bone.dry
amendment will campaign against them
if the Legislature does not ratIty the
amendment
In the Senate there will be show
down on the question if Senator
George B. Wellington, Republican, OF
Troy, moves to discharge the Com
mittee on Taxation and Retrenchmein1
from further consideration of the Hlii-
McNab resolution ratifying the amend
l.
olution was believed to be dead beyond
recall, but Wellington's motion. II
pressed. will put the Senators on rec.
ord. If they vote to report it out, that
will bring the resolution before the
Senate, and should it pass it would 60
to the Assembly. :,
There is little chance that it would
pass the Assembly. for the ten SOCIAL
lists are against it. The drys in the
Assembly--and they arc all among the
upstate Republicans number abou'
sixty-sevcn. The Socialists object to
the amendment as violating their prin-
ciples Of personal liberty.
Senator Brown has gone on record
as being opposed to prohibition, be-
cause. he explained, it does not pro-
hibit. He has prepared resolution
putting the entire question before the
people of the state and bill limiting
the manufacture and sale o. lnlcA',
cants as beverages to light wines anu
> per cent beer.
Convention System Favored
Another important measure. pohti-
cally, is the bill restoring the party,
convention for the picking Of state and
Judiciary candidates. Practically aH
members of both houses are for the
measure, and they could easily pass u
over the Governors veto if they Ioi-
lowed their personal convictions. bu'
fear Of popular resentment will make
many think twice even before voting
for it in order to put it before the
Governor. The object of passing Il
merely 10 have the Governor veto It. a.
is the present plan. is to create III teel-
ing against him on the part OF the ma
chine workers who favor return 70
the party convention.
The most important measure intro
dUced by the Democrats. and concern.
ing which much ado will be made oS
the minority. is the Hearst munic,pa'
ownership bill. Whatever fight Will oe
made for this measure by the Demo.
Gratis will be done solely as a sop 70
William Randolph Hearst The meas
urc. which is destined for peaceiu'
death, will be used by him as stalk
ing horse for his GubcrHatorial~fre fres'-
Dental ambitions.
Democrats here regret being fofceo