New-York tribune., 1902-07-19
CIRCUIT FOR GOVERNOR.
VISIT FROM EX-SENATOR HILL STARTS
RUMoRs ABOUT THE CONTROLLER

Ex-senator David 5. Hiii had fifteen minute
chat yesterday afternoon with Controller Grout
Mr.. Hill went to Mr. CIRCUITS office in the Stew
art Building, unaccompanied. When II became
known last night that Mr. Hill and Mr. Grout
had been comforting the political tongues
wagged they have not wagged for many a
day
"Grout for Governor on the Democratic
ticket" was heard everywhere.
When Mr Grout asked afterward what he
and Mr Hin talked about he was uncommuni-
cative. Mr.. Hill went home TO Albany on the
q O'Clock train after seeing ex-ControIer Coler
William F. Sheehan Elliot Danforth and others
at the Hoffman House and at downtown offices
One Of Mr.. Grouts intimate friends in
menting last night on the conference between
Mr.. Hill and the Controller. said:
Mr.. Grout can have the nomination for Gov
ernor on the Democratic ticket II he will take it,
He does not want It. however. he desires. in
good faith toward Mayor Low and his fusion
friends, TO finish his term az Controller Mr.
Grout believes that Governor OdeIl could be
beaten next fall II the right sort of a Democrat
were selected for the head of the ticket. His
record as Controller has enhanced his reputation
as a public official, and no doubt has attracted
the attention of Mr.. Hill and the upstate
leaders,
Doubtless Mr.. Grout's name will be discussed
IN connection WIN the nomination Tor NIoNerhoI
by the Democrats for the next few days. He
has engaged passage for a five weeks trip in
Europe, and will sail July 20. He will not
return until the first week in September. Dur
ing that period he will he out of reach of the
political wirepullers and this fact has been
seized upon by ex-senator Hill to add to the
element Of uncertainty in the Democratic situa-
ton. With a possible acceptable candidate out
of the country, the sage of Wolferts ROOSt can
play the other candidates one against the other,
and not show his hand
Those who know Mr. Grout well say he likes
public life. and that he has ambition to oc-
cupy a higher place in State and national pollti-
cal history than he does at present. HIS friends
believe that ne would accept nomination II 1t
were unanimous and that he would make as
good a fight as possible with the odds against
him. The Republicans are confident that Gov
error Odell, If renominated, will sweep the
State with an almost unprecedented majority
for an eff year"
Controller Grout has political following in
the Democratic party in New-York or Kings
County from a strictly organization point or
view His running on the fusion ticket last
fail turned the organization managers against
him He was regular" a Democrat in
Brooklyn in 1895, when he ran on the regular
ticket for Mayor and was defeated by Frederick
w Wurster Republican. Edward NJ. Shepard
ran as an independent candidate for Mayor of
Brooklyn that fall, and received votes enough
TO defeat Mr. Grout. Mr.. GrOut was elected as
a regular Democrat in 1891 as Borough Presi-
dent of Brooklyn, and his record made him a
strong candidate for Controller on the fusloh
ticket 4 year ago.
Arrangements We're completed partially on
Thursday evening for ex-senator Hill, who
went to oyster Bay to spend the night with
William +. Sheehan, to meet the President at
fix upon a time that would be convenient to
both.