New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-17
Won't Retract
Liquor Charges,
Says Thompson
Senator Prepared for Any
Move by Assemblymen
in His Allegation That
Members Got Drunk
Anderson Inquiry OF
Order Issued at Albany
Also Stops Investigation
of Anti-SaloOn League
From a Staff Correspondent

ALBANY, April Ex-senator George
F. Thompson declared to-day that he
would not retract single charge hi
made against the Assembly or MARI
A. Daily, the Buffalo lobbyist ant
friend of Speaker Sweet, whom he
charged with having supplied liquo,
to Assemblymen on the night of the
Socialist custer.
~ not only have information thai
liquor was used, but have admission
that liquor was brought to the Capito
on the night of the Socialist custer,
said Senator Thompson. "My infor.
mants are reliable and the charges
made on the floor of the Senate have
been public property since April l."
Not Seeking Light
The Assembly. it was assured to-day
will not investigate William H. Ander-
son or the Anti-Saloon League and will
rot try to put him in Jail. The As
sembly Judiciary Committee announced
through it's chairman, Louis M. Martin
that there was nothing said or done by
"If there is any need of an investiga-
tion," said Mr.. Martin. at should be
done by joint legislative committee
A few weeks ago Martin said the AS
sembly would go through with the in
vestigation. So did Speaker Sweet.
Assemblyman Louis A. Cuvillier
Speaker Sweets Tammany lieutenant
who for weeks had been shouting that
Anderson would go to Jail, to-day an
nounced that he was now Of the same
mind as Chairman Martin. 1t is COM
mon talk in the capital that there are
certain members of the Legislature
who would dread hearing some of the
charges Anderson might hurl at them.
Precipitated by Sweet
1t was Sweet who permitted the pass
age of the resolution to investigate An
derson and the league, and after its
passage he declared the Assembly
would go ahead with the investigation
as ordered by majority vote of the
Assembly. 1t was Sweet who permitted
another resolution of his Tammany
lieutenant, Cuvillier, which calls for
the production of Anderson before the
judiciary Committee with view to ar
raignlng him before the bar of the
House and later clapping him in Jail.
Anderson has been clamoring to be
heard and to be put in jail, but the
order went forth to kill both reselu-
tions. So Anderson won't be heard and
he won't be put in jail
But to make the situation look less
ridiculous Cuvillier will offer another
resolution calling for an investigation
OF the league and Anderson by Joint
legislative committee.
just now Daily and Speaker Sweet
are working hand in glove to kill the
minimum wSge bill and the eight hour
day for women. Likewise they are
working together to put over the Belts
blll repeating the law which makes it
illegal for an employer to work women
more than fifty-four hours a week.
This bill is expected to pass the As
sembly, but it is doubtful if it will pass
the upper house Even if it shonfd i
would be vetoed by the Governor.
Mr.. Anderson made public last night
the following letter to District At
torney Swami:
II desire to call your attention to
tne TACT that 1t has been charged on
the floor of the Senate, as published
that liquor in large quantities was on
hand around the Assembly the night
the Socialists were ousted and thai
some Assemblymen were so drunk thew
mad to be carried out Of the Assembly
Chamber. ~
Il further call your attention to the
TACT that, although the Assembly voted
to debar the Senator making this
charge from the floor of the Assembly
SO far it has not seen fit to order ar
investigation of the charge itself. the
Inference being obvious. If the charget
are true then it is clear that the Law
has been violated.
Even if it be true that Assembly
men are immune from arrest Will.
attending the Assembly, yet they ar,
not above the law and are subject t,
indictment and trial in due cours,
after adjournment if any of them hav,
violated the law of the state. Tn,
furnishing and drinking Of liquor ar,
not legislative functions, whateve
they have to do with Legislative capac
ity;,
FURTHER, even though it be concede,
for the sake of the argument, although
In fact we concede nothing, that i
is or will be impossible to punis]
members Of the Assembly, yet Mar
A. Daily. who is charged, as published
with having brought the liquor to tn
<,oSSiHDiSt is HOt u MEMBER or the AS
sembly and is not immune in any re
spect, at least so far as the recor,
goes or the public is advised. M,
Daily does not yet own either legis
lative wing of the Capitol Buildin,
20 such extent as to justify the CLAIM
in his behalf that the furnishing o
i,quor by him was an act of bona fid
hospitality to actual guests in his ow,
home.
q shall take up direct with tn
Federal authorities the question of tn
violation Of Federal law in this case
but in behalf Of an overwhelming ma
Jority Of the moral element Of tn
state and Of large proportion OF tn
aw-abiding citizenship which feel out
ragged over a condition which, as |.
now stands, is a scandal respectful,
suggest that you proceed to ascertain
whether the laws Of the state hav
been violated and to procure tn
punishment Of the guilty parties, re
gardless Of the degree Of their politi
cal influence"