New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-06
MONROE COUNTY POLITICS.
WERNER WANTED FOR GovERNoR-A
FIGHT FOR CONGRESS NOMINATION.

Rochester, Aug. Observation-Disclosures Re-
pubIicans have a candidate for the nomination
for Governor in the person OF Judge William f.
Werner. of the Court of Appeals. Judge Wer-
ner's name is not pressed. however, and will not
be pressed until IT is obvious that Senator Plat
has definitely abandoned his purpose of nomi-
mating Benjamin B. OdeIl jr. Perhaps that
purpose Will not be abandoned.
No Republican politician of prominence in
Western New-York cares to have the labor of
making a canvass for any other Republican
who seems worthy of being nominated for Gov
ernor and have only his labor his reward.
Paralysis, therefore. has overtaken all the
booms for Governor ever since at the meeting
Of the Republican State Committee the MEM
bers thought they had discovered that Senator
Plat seriously thought OF seeking to nominate
Mr. Odell. In the opinion of some Mr.. Odell is
merely Senator Platts shield for some other
candidate, but this fact, if it is fact does not
improve the situation in the eyes Of the Repub-
lican politicians concerned. Until they know
their possible antagonist they do not care to
bring forward any home candidate for Governor.
Rochester Republicans have had one expert
ence Of a futile canvass for Governor. and the
memory OF It has not died away. This warning
came 10 them in 1895, when they put forward
George w Aldridge and obtained for him the
support Of the largest number of delegates
pledged to any one Of several candidates before
the Republican State Convention 1t will be
remembered that Senator Plat, like Mr.. Odell,
was solicited by most Of che members Of the
Republican organization himself to take the
nomination and thus solve the problem" no
one OF the candidates apparently having a ma
jority of the delegates. 1t said at the time
that Mr.. Plat had artfuIly scattered the sup
port Of the various candidates and then taken
measures to prevent the concentration of votes
upon any candidate
Senator Platt finally concluded the proceed
ngs Of the Republican State Convention of 1896
by having fourteen or fifteen of his chief lieu
tenants meet with him at the Worden House
while the Convention was ostensibly in prog
ress, and there announced that his choice for
Governor was Frank S Black. 1t had been
thought that Benjamin B. Odell. jr., was his
choice. and q majority OF those in attendance
at the conference had voted for Mr.. Odell but
when Senator Plat said at the urgent request
sf Louis f Payn, Il think we had better take
Black" they turned about and voted for Mr.
Black. It has been stated that Mr. Payn drew
Senator Plat into private room at the Wor-
aen House near that in which those in attend
ance at the conference was meeting, and said
70 him that thirty years of a political partner
ship between them would be severed unless Mr.
Black was chosen.
Mention IS made Of the Worden House con-
ference In this letter because it is thought by
the prominent Republicans Of this city that
another worden House conference at Saratoga
on September 1 will disclose the Republican
candidate. Republican State conventions, it is
argued, have become unwieldy bodies with
their hundreds Of delegates and their affairs
properly can be concentrated into the hands of
fourteen or fifteen men, and even at a pinch
into the hands Of one man. Senator Platt is
believed here to have thorough understanding
with Mr.. OdeD that Senator Plat desires now
70 nominate Mr.. OdeIl. and that Mr.. Odcll
would accept the nomination although not de-
string it, if he thought 1t his DUTY to do so; but
Il is also thought that by September 1t may
he deemed inexpedient by Senator Platt to
exert his influence in favor of the nomination
of Mr.. Odeu and that Mr.. Odell, under these
circumstances, will contentedly step aside. Mr.
OdelTs friends here say that he sincerely does
not desire the nomination
Judge Werner is suggested the Repub-
Mcan candidate for Governor. with the argu-
ment that he has had a distinguished public
career and is popular with the German voters,
whose votes may be needed at the November
election. It is said that he had remarkable sue
cess as a lawyer, and then, owing to the ability
he displayed as a Supreme Court Judge, was
promoted by Governor Roosevelt to his present
office Of member or the Court or Appeals
Added to this he is said TO have remarkable
personal popularity in this county Of Monroe,
and. indeed, in all the counties Of Western
New-York The Erie County Germans. it is
said would give to him hearty support if he
should be nominated.
J. B. PERKINS FOR CONGRESS.
Meanwhile the Republican voters and politi-
clans OF Monroe County concerning them
selves wholly with the Republican nomination
for Congress. A most animated contest is in
progress between James NJ. z. O'Grady. the
present Congressman, and ex-Assembyman
James Breck Perkins. Mr.. Perkins is spoken Of
here as an ex-Assemblyman but his title to the
regard OF his fellow citizens in Rochester is far
higher than this Of a humble legislative
position. He is the well known author Of
France Under MaZarin," France Under the
Regency" France Under Louis XIV" and
lately Of "Richelieu and the Growth Of the
French Power"
As an historian naturally he is one of the
prominent citizens Of Monroe County But be-
sides being an author he is of the leading
lawyers Of Rochester. Thus there are several
reasons for the favor with which he is regarded
by his fellow citizens.
Congressman O'Grady's career is well known.
lie was young lawyer Of Rochester when
elected an Assembyman. and then rapidly be-
came prominent in that body. becoming success
sivey the chairman of the Committee on Ways
and Means and thus the Republican leader, and
finally the Speaker Of the Assembly Then he
was nominated for Congressman and elected,
and he has nearly completed his first term The
ground Of opposition to his denomination is that
ne has long held Office but has never rendered
any signal service either to the State or to the