The sun., 1904-08-25
AN OPEN RACE FOR GOVERNOR
WOODRUFF TELLS PRESIDENT
CONVENTION MUST CHOOSE.
Iksnrf--N-s -
IIad Agreed with Piatt and Odell to Keep
Hands OF Until the Delegates Meet
Mr.. Root and Mr.. COrteiyou spend
the Night at MIR. Roosevelts Home.

Mr.. Root and MIR. Corteiyou Spend
the Night. at Mr. Roosevelts Home.
OYSTER BAY, Aug, 2-;As a result OF
ex-Lieut. Gov. Timothy l.. Woodruff's visit
to Sycamore Hill to-day, followed by the
arrival OF Elihu Root tonight. President
Roosevelt now has thorough and salts
factory understanding Of the Republican
situation in New York State as regards
the Gubernatorial nomination. He knows
from Mr. Roots own words that his former
Secretary OF War will under no circum-
stances accept the nomination II 1t In Of
fered to him, and he has been advised in
detail by Mr.. Woodruff Of the stand which
the party leaders in the State have agreed
to take in regard to the selection Of the
nominee. =
Mr.. Woodruff informed the President
that an agreement had been definitely
made between Senator Platt, Gov. Odell
and himself to leave the choice Of the
nominee for Governor absolutely to the
convention at Saratoga on Sept a. He
advised Mr.. Roosevelt further that those
at the head Of the. party organization In
the State would endeavor to have the con-
vention unbiased and undirected, 20 far
rs the leaders were concerned, and also
uldt Hb WOul1 hOU duNotdtc, hoi
would he permit his friends to advocate,
his candidacy until the convention was
assembled and the true sentiment OF the
party was known .-
To this programme the President, Mr..
Woodruff asserted after his return from
the hill, gave his hearty approval. The
President also, according to the ex-Lieu-
tenant Governor, reiterated the statement
l. ...t.x l., he ILL,
degree In the State situation,
Mr.. Woodruff got here on the noon train.
On the same train came Jacob Gould Schur-
man, president of Cornell University, who
ran over from his summer home In South
ampton, l.. l., to pay his respects to Mr..
Roosevelt. Mr., Woodruff said, before leav-
ing for the hill
ssenator Platt, Gov. odell and I met at
time 1t was agreed positively to leave the
choice OF the candidate for Governor TO
the convention. The convention. we
agreed, should be untrammelled and un-
directed. The situation. we thought, de.
abide by that agreement, and so also will
Senator Platt and Gov. Odell."
The suggestion was made to Mr.. Wood
ruff that such a course was undoubtedly
acceptable to Mr.; Plat Plat and a. himself. but
what has the Governor-C Chairman to
gain BY leaving the choice to the conven-
All can say" replied Mr.. Woodruff,
propositon sa % and 'e am an sure Re viii . stand a
by his word in the matter.
AS to the talk about my candidacy
continued Mr.. Woodruff, Il shall not ad-
vooate 1t myself, nor allow my. friends to
delegates meet, that there is a desire on
their part to have me run. I shall not
canvass for delegates or enter into any
combination or deal for votes in this oon-
vention."
Mr.. woodruff also expressed regret that
garded Mr.. Root, he said. as the strongest
man the party could name.
Mr.. Woodruff and President Sohurman
were driven out to Sycamore Hill together
Mr.. woodruff arrived at The station on tie
return trip. He said
Il had most pleasant visit with tho
President. I advised him Of the agree
ment that had been reached by Senator
pressed the opinion that il was admirable.
Mr. Woodruff then asserted that Mr..
Roosevelt had given him assurances that
he had no candidate In the field, and would
have none, and that he would not inter-
fere In the situation In any way.
The overpor said that
he discussed with the President the nance
of four or Ave New York State mon whom
Mr.. Roosevelt Is considering as At to I'LL
the position Of Assistant Secretary Of Agri-
culture. which has been left vacant by
the death of j. H. Brigham. Nothing,
however, was determined In the matter,
Mr. Woodruff said
Shortly after Mr.. Woodruff had left town
Mr. Root arrived. With him was Chairman
Cortelyou. Mr.. Root was asked whether the
last word had been spoken by him regard
ing the Gubernatorial nomination, He re-
piled.
1T has Positively. 1t Is quite inpossi-
ble that my name should be considered in
connection with the nomination"
Mr.. Root came to Oyster Bay, as did
also Chairman Cortelyou, chiefly to review
with the President his letter Of acceptance.
Both visitors are remaining overnight at
Sapamore Hill