The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-25

mand that he decline the Citizens
Union nomination prior to the RepubH-
can convention; the reported confer
ence of Chairman r. Fulton Cutting,
of the Citizens Union; Chairman Paul
Fuller, of the Independent Citizens
committee, and other Plat killers, with
Roosevelt at oyster bay and frequent
exchange of visits between Gen. Wood
ford, Senator Plat, Chairman Mark
A. Hanna, Of the Republican national
committee, and Cornelius N. Bliss, sec
rotary of the interior in the Mckinley
cabinet, all contributed evidence that
the former minister to Spain Is being
considered in case Senator Plat finally
determines not to name Roosevelt.
1t has become evident that there is
a hitch" in the plan to give the solid
Plat machine vote at Saratoga to
Roosevelt Chairman Hanna and Sec
rotary Bliss, in order to head off Roose-
welt as a presidential possibility against
Mckinley in 1900, have for four days
been at work among the Greater New
York delegates to Saratoga.
Forgetful Of the interference Of the
Arthur administration in the guberna-
torial fight in 1882, which caused the
slaughter of Judge FOlger. these two
emissaries Of the president appealed
to owners Of votes at Saratoga in the
name of Mckinley to stop the outrage
which they said was about to be per-
petrated upon Gov. Black If the del
egates could not accept Black, however,
what was the matter with Woodford?
BLACK EXPLAINS.
The following statement was given
out at the executive chamber tonight
with the sanction of the governor:
The story is circulated by the Fifth ave-
nue. managers that the knowledge of Roose-
ola oIs
governor and his friends several weeks. This
story is incorrect. The question of such
ineligblity was first presented to the gov
ernor the night before last CThursday) The
question was then discussed and the determ-
ination was reached to submit 1t to the best
legal talent obtainable, and if ii was de-
clded that Col. Roosevelt was ineligible that
fact should be Immediately conveyed to the
Republican managers in New York city and
also publicly announced. The question was
that night submitted to and examined by
several lawyers OF experience and ability,
among whom was Judge COuntryman, Of AL
bany. They were to announce their opinions
on the following morning (Friday). On that
morning the opinion was unanimously given
that MIR. Roosevelt was Ineligible for the
Office of governor. The leaders at the Fifth
Avenue hotel were notified, both from New
York and Albany, and a conference arranged
with them for that same afternoon on the
arrival Of the 2:30 train from Albany. The
conference was held as agreed upon and the
question referred to was then discussed
The statement sent out from New York
is, therefore untrue, that the question of
Roosevelt's ineligibility had ever been known
to the governor prior to Thursday night It
was then presented to him for the first time
Before noon of the next day it had been
examined and conference arranged with the
flfth avenue leaders and by $40 Friday
evening was under discussion with them.
The whole subject published in the
papers the next morning. so that within
sixteen hours after the matter first came to
the governors attention a conference h.d
been arranged with the Fifth avenue leaders
within twenty-four hours the conference had
been held, and within thirty-six hours the
whole question was in possession of the
public through the agency Of the press. Until
late last Thursday evening no question of
Roosevelts eligibility had ever been aup
gested to the governor, directly or Indirectly
from any source whatever.