New-York tribune., 1904-09-03
WOODRUFF 0UTCOUNTED.
Higgins Said to Have Long Lead
Ouer Brooklyn Nan.

For Go,ernor-Franci- wnyIand Higgins Of oIean.
For Lieutenant GoVernor-M. Linn Bruce. of New
York City.
For temporary chairman OF the state Convention
Ex-Governor Frank =. Blark.
For permanent chalrman--senator George r. Malby.
This is the tentative slate OF the Republican
leaders far as IL mas been arranged. 1t is sub
ject 10 change. but the prospects are that the
first two names on the state ticket will be Hig
gins and Bruce.
The leaders have practically agreed 10 invite
Ex-Governor Black to be temporary chairman
and sound the keynote OF the campaign in this
State
EX-Lieutenant Governor Woodru6s s friends
say that his chances of being nominated are as
bright as any ones but the friends OF Governor
Odell assert with great confidence that the pre-
liminary show down" gives Mr.. Higgins a long
lead over Mr.. Woodruff. and that the friends of
the latter. before the convention roll is called.
viii cheerfully decide to make the nomination
of Mr. Higgins unanimous.
The nomination of the former president of the
New-York Republican County Committee for
Lieutenant Governor depends to a large extent
on the success Of the Higgins boomers. II Mr..
Higgins should not be named. and the candidate
for Governor should be taken from New-York
City. then the second place would go TO an up
State man. and MIR. Bruce's name would be
taken off the slate.
The hunt for a candidate for Governor has
been a long one on the part of the friends OF
Governor Odell. The first name to command the
attention and enlist the united sentiment of Re
pubcans throughout the State was ex-Secre-
tary Roots Governor Odell had long talk
with Mr.. Root at Chicago. and asked him TO
stand a candidate. Mr.. Root said il was i'm
possible. He gave OF his reasons that
his doctor had ordered him to quit politics and
take long rest. He told the Governor that if
he had desired 10 continue in politics ne would
have remained in the Cabinet. Another reason
brought forward for his retirement that he
had engaged TO do important legal work for
various clients and could not surrender his
clients interests at this time. II then that
Mr.. Root asked to cooperate with the Gov
ernor in suggesting candidate. He suggested
several most Of whom have been thoroughly
discussed by the leaders I'm council. The aim of
the leaders 10 get of the highest
possible type. so that the Republican and in
dependent voters OF the state would rally to
his support without hesitation.
The search and the wInnowing process have
been going for weeks The field narrowed to
Messrs. Higgins and Woodruff. The latter
seemed to have the lead until yesterday. when
Mr.. WoodruTs friends heard from various
county leaders In the state. The reports showed
that the drift Is strongly toward Mr. Higgins.
have the support of four-ffths of the delegates
Of New York County. and those from Westches
ter. Duchess. Columbia. Albany. Rensselaer,.
Monroe Ontario. st. Lawrence. Erie and
Broome thus giving him a decided lead I'm the
race.
Mr. Woodruffs friends are counting on the
solid delegation from Kings. most of the dele
gates from Onondaga those OF Wayne and of
various other districts in thu state. There will
be nearly thousand delegates. and Mr..
Woodruff's friends not sure of having the
votes of more than One-third. The Higgins men
already have more than one-half of the dele
gates I'm sight
Mr. woodruff" said one of the Higgins men
last night has discovered that the upstate
leaders are almost solidly for Mr.. Higgins. He
has not at any time openly aVowsd himself
candidate He thought the first of the week
that the drift was toward him. The develop
ments during the week have convinced him that
he was mistaken He not nearly so much
of a candidate yesterday he was the day be-
fore and he is not nearly so muchsso to-day as
he was yesterday. MIR. Higgins is we'll htted
for the Governorship because he has graduated
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