New-York tribune., 1904-09-14

apparent that conference OF great importance
was going on. Outside the door an eVer-ih-
creasing group of fine smaller men gathered
discussed the situation in low tones ana Kept
tabs those who went in.
The situation was further complicated by the
sudden APPEARANCE Of two rival candidates ioI
the Goverrorship nomination, the present ana
the former Lieutenant Governors. Side oy sue
they walked across the lawn. while pollucials
and guests alike looked on in amazenehl at 'ii7
unexpected combination. Few had heard o. 'le
arrival of Lieutenant Governor Higgins VINO
came ,:n from Albany late in the morning
With laughing tests to the bystanders. the Two
candidates disappeared into ex-Lieutenant Gov
ernor Woodruff's s headquarters and the resoiuI7
form of Colonel NJ J. Dady barred the door
against all coners Instantly another group
fo-yred outside the door, and rumors pesah ~
ly thick and fast.
--,is sarond conference lasted for nearly an
hour and while it was in progress 1t creatso inc
ssasction of the hour. The retirement Vi oiiH
or both of the candidates vas openly propIIes'N
aHd tie widest sort Of stories were IN cl'c
ZION. There was no effcrt the part OF the
-zrao:-,r-, s,,nnorter, Of Ir Woodruff to conceal
their satisfaction at the development Present.
lv Lieutenant Governor Higgins came out alone
and started TO walk down the piazza instantly
a crowd of reporters, friends and delegates
sur,ed around him. and it was only WITH d'ni-
Guilty that ne extricated himself from the group
His brief words Indicated at once that he and
FIR. Woodruff had agreed that the matter should
go before the convention and that the best man
there should win the fight. Lieutenant Gov
erTor Higgins went straight to his own mead
quarters, and few minutes later Mr.. Wood
ruff came out smiling. He told Uncle Billy
Berri who had been waiting anxiousiy. that the
situation from his point OF view. was ideal, and
Just as he wished it, He declared, in conformity
with what the Lieutenant Governor had salo'
that the matter would go to the convention ana
that the conference plan was off. II was clear
that the Woodruff people regarded the preven-
tIon of the caucus a decided advantage
achieved.
GOSSIP REACHES FEVER HEAT.
Meantime Governor OdeIl had talked with
large number of leaders in Ex-Governor Blacks
headquarters, and presently he came out and
walked back his own room. The Governor
still showed evident surprise at the develop
rnent. but had 10 comment TO add The gossip
about the hall and lobby had by this time
reached fever heat, and delegates were ear
nestIy reviewing the situation But the growing
impression was that little real change had beer
effected either by the declaration of the Senator
declining to go into conference. or ths unprece-
dented meeting Of the tw, rivals. who had evil
IDENTIFY determined to control their struggle.
Apart from its dramatic side and the rapid
succession of important developments, the day
was chiefly marked by the accession to the num-
bers of Republicans here, nearly all new ar
rivals bringing fresh strength TO the support of
Mr. Higgins. The Lieutenant Governor himself
came on q morning train. but had comment
10 make, although he indicated clearly to his
friends that he in the fight and meant to
stay there. He called on Senator Platt. and
Governor Odell Joined them in a brief con-
ference. Then he talked with various leaders.
Senator George r. Malby. Of st. Lawrence
County, who will be permanent chairman Of the
convention, arrived. and declared for Lieu
tenant Governor Higgins. He said: Mr. Hig-
gins is estimable, high minded man. and
would make an excellent candidate for Gov
ernor"
BY way of balance, Colonel George W. Dunn,
Of Binghamton, formerly chairman of the State
committee came ir and. after brief talk with
Senator Platt, said after indicating his support
of Woodruff, Have you heard from the south
ern tier?"
After breakfast Senator Platt said: The situ-
alton has not changed iota from last night,
and still believe Mr.. Woodruff would make the
better candidate
IN the morning the call FOR the conference
that failed to materalize created surprise
end it was believed UP 70 the time of the Sen
ator's refusal to attend that twenty-five
thirty prominent candidates would thresi out
the situation and settle the question, that
the convention would consider only candi-
date. The announcement Of this conference was
made after brief talk between Governor Odell
and Mr. Woodruff Colonel Dady. who escorted
the Governor to the Woodruff headquarters. said
subsequently:
We are hard at work, and don't intend to
give UP the fight
When the conference was called off the gen
eral impression was that the Woodruff people
believed that. whatever strength they had in
convention, they did not have enough to survive
the conference.
The afternoon situation ended with no more
clear evidence OF what would happen than the
general belief that the unexpected incidents Of
the afternoon had practically eliminated the
possibility of anything but a vote in convention
: the two prominent candidates. and precluded
the possibility Of the appearance, Of dark
horse: for Francis Hendricks promptly elm
mated himself from the field his return from
Albany yesterday. There were not few who
Eexpressed the opinion that the vote in conven-
ton would add to rather than detract from the
strength Of the candidate, indicating IL did
the absence of any dictation on the part Of party
leaders and spontaneous nomination.
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