New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-24
PAYN'S MODEST CLAIM.
SAYS BLACK HAS SIX MORE VOTES THAN
HE NEEDS PLEDGED TO HIM.
THE GOVERNORS CHEF LIEUTENANT CLAIMS %s3
VOTES FOR HIM-MAY SPRING CANAL
REPORT TO AID HIS CANVASS

VOTES FOR HIM-MAY SPRING A CANAL
REPORT TO AID HIS CANVASS
WOODRUFF IN ALBANY
lrRoM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rnrpuyyl
Albany, Sept gas the time for the meeting
OF the Republican State Convention approaches
"roorbacks" Of .he most tremendous proper
tons are afoat In the streets of the State capt.
tai For instance. late LAST night ii was reported
that Governor Black had suddenly departed for
washington on some sort of a summons from
President Mckinley. and tho political Gossips
at once found reasons to think that he was to
have an offer Of the post of Minister to Spain.
or possibly Cabinet position. as matter Of
fact, Mr.. Black sleeping the sleep OF just
man In his little cottage on the heights over
looking Troy and had no. thought Of departing
for Washington. He was at the capital to-day.
and intends to remain here until the Republican
State Convention has been held AS previously
stated in The Tribune. he will not go to Sara
toga until at least vote has been taken tho
office OF Governor
LOU" PAYNs MODEST CLAIM.
Louis F. Payn was working in a most de-
terrnined mood to night In Governor Blacks
interest, whether 10 impress people or as ex-
preston of his sincere faith In the possibility OF
Governor Blacks nomination.
Mr. Black" he said. already has 1872 dele
gates pledged to his support. or six more than
are necessary to nominate him"
Six votes is pretty narrow margin: never
theless. II is sufficient Ore. in tact, is sufficient
The only trouble about such small majority II
that the followers Of Theodore Roosevelt may
by feeling all along the line NJ the 492 delegates
be able to pick off man here and there, and
convert nack majority into a Roosevelt ma
jority.
Mr. Payn did not give any details No list OF
Black counties furnished by him indicating
the basis Of his claim for 492 delegates Pos
sibly this strategy; II is never well In
close contest. with only six votes 10 spare. 10
disclose every detail OF your forti1cation.
Nevertheless. sceptics will insist that in order
TO inspire absolute trust Mr. Payn ought to
give some facts which would enable those to
whom he has conveyed his somewhat surprising
Information about Mr. Blacks strength TO test
the accuracy Of his forecast. Possibly he may
be right. II So his information. il found TO be
true about the attitude OF any delegation as
favorable to Mr. Black would strengthen the
latter's chances OF nomination. His news that
Mr.. Black has 400 delegates greatly surprised
people. for other prominent supporting
Mr.. Black has heretofore made the assertion
that Mr.. Black has so many votes On the con-
prominence who has been here the last week in
private conversation has stated that Mr. Black
in the minority II Mr.. Payn is correct IN
his diagnosis he has made a canvass for votes
In the convention which will greatly amaze
other Republican politicians by its success. and
no VIII be more surprised. to all appear
| snces. than Senator Platt II would Indicate
| that Senator Platt has either lost his skill and
| his power politician or that he had made
some secret arrangement With Mr.. Payn by
which the latter is 10 be permitted 10 win a
victory for his candidate No politicians would
believe that Mr.. Platt, after suggesting most Of
the State and Federal appointments for several
years past would he defeated except by his own
consent There then would be some decided
suspicion that a comedy OF the overcoming Of
the machine had been played to gull voters.
DIVISION BELOW THE HARLEM
Lieutenant Governor Woodruff arrived here
late this afternoon from New-York. and had .
long talk with Governor Back He was accom-
panied by Michael J. Daiv. chairman Of this
Executive Committee OF the Kings County Re-
publican Committee. Mr.. Dady said;
Mr. Woodruff is candidate for the nomna-
tion fer Lieutenant Governor As for Governor
Black think he will have al least forty votes
In the Kings County delegation out OF the l32
votes will cast"
That estimate would give Colonel Roosevelt
ninety votes in Kings County. In New-York
Mr. Lauterbach SAYS AIr Black will have four
teen votes That gives Colonel Roosevelt l58
votes in New-York In New-York and KINGS
counties Colonel Roosevelt would thus have 2i8
votes-a very respectable nucleus toward
nomination.
FUMORS OF 4 CANAL REPORT
Mr. Black had as one OF his visitors today ex-
Judge Edwin Countryman. OF This city. who has
been critically examining the evidence taken by
the Canal Commission IN relation TO the $4,000
900 canal Improvement work with the aim OF
seeing il criminal prosecutions need be insti-
tuted against any one II was at first suspected
that Judge Countrympn had visited the Gov
ernor possibly TO submit his report on the canal
evidence but he stated that ne had called merely
with client Nevertheless. politicians will not
be surprised II Judge Countrymans report
should made public before the Republican
State Convention meets. especially so II II ac-
quits the canal officials OF any wrongdoing.
direct or Indirect II has been rumored for sew
eral days that Louis F. Payn. the Superintend-
ent OF the Insurance Department and George
" AdrGge the Superintendent Of Public
Works had a big card" 10 play in Governor
Blacks favor when the Republican State Con-
vention should meet This report of Judge
Countryman may be the card which is TO be
played. for Mr. Blacks canvass for a renomina-
ton has suffered because Of the perception OF
the Republican leaders that something more
should have been done in regard 10 the Canal
Commissions report than has yet been accom-
plished
Possibly Judge Countryman's report may
satisfy these men. and then possibly II may not.
They are very anxious that no further mistakes
should be made in dealing with canal matters.
and already have taken steps to prevent the re-
domination for State Engineer OF Mr. Adams.
not that they think he is rot honest and
able man. but the report OF the Canal Commits