New-York tribune., 1904-09-13
A DAY OF CONFERENCES.
Neither OdeH Nor Plat to Throzc
Influence to Candidates.

saratoga, n. T.. Sept. 12-This locality has
been a regular whispering gallery to-day Moth
lhg' however, developed from the subdued ex-
changes OF condolences. The situation tonight
Is that Senator Platt and Governor OdeII are
absolute masters OF the convention which viii
convene at noon Wednesday. and they are en-
tirely in accord The only difference between
their attitude is that Senator .xtt. while IN
no manner committed to ex-Liecrenant Cover
nor Woodruff favors his nomination. Uhf1s Cow
ernor Odell is absolutely neutral Senator PIatt
would like to see Mr.. Woodruff nominated bug
he will do nothing to further Woodruff's can
didacy. Governor Oden has no candidate and
viii have none. He believes with Senator Platt
that the man who develops the most strength
should be nominated.
mis- was a day OF arrivals. Republican lead
eFs and delegates from all parts OF the State
kept pouring In all day. Senator PATS cot
tage at the United States Hotel. and Governor
odeifs cottage. which Immediately adjoins il.
were the mecca of all thosa who came to attend
the convention Senator PIatt had a long talk
Win Governor Odell early this morning and a
perfect understanding was reached This agree
ment is that no candidate shall be nominated
who is opposed either by Senator Platt or Gov
ernor Odell- Neither Senator PIatt nor Gov
ernor Odell is to throw his influence to any
candidate Every leader and every DELEGATE is
10 De asked freely TO express his opinion with
out regard to the wishes OF any OF the party
leaders. When the delegates and leaders from
all parts OF the State have been canvassed in
this manner, Senator Platt and Governor OdeiI
viii go over the situation in detail and come 10
an agreement on the State ticket The under
standing they arrive at will be indOrsed BY az
Of the delegates. and from present Indications
the ticket so agreed on will be unanimously
nominated.
ONLY TWO LEFT IN THE RACE
This condition seems to leave the race be-
tween ex-Lieutenant Governor Woodruff. Of
Kings County, and the present Lieutenant Gov
ernor, Frank H. Higgins. Of Cattaraugus Both
men have sturdy friends. but both have sub
scrhed to this policy of leaving it to the leaders
and delegates 20 decide which is the stronger
The only other boom that has been launched
here is that Of Francis Hendricks. of Onondaga.
state superintendent OF Insurance Mr. Hen
bricks is here. but he is not an aggressive can
didate for the nomination. Some of his friends
thought he would make ideal candidate ard
they presented his name TO Governor Ode1 and
Senator Platt. Ii may be stated, however thar
Mr.. Hendricks is not seriously considered as a
candidate The Woodruff men objected 20
Hendricks and said that his candidacy had been
put forth solely for the purpose OF procuring the
delegates from Oncndaga County against Wood
ruff. Hendricks comes from Syracuse and
naturally would have his own delegates If he
were candidate. The Woodruff men say thai
Onondaga would be for Woodruff except for
Hendricks. and that his candidacy savored az
unfair political tactics. This opinion seems to
carry weight and tonight II is said that Mr.
Hendricks is no longer regarded as available
He takes the situation good -humoredly. as in
dicsted by little incident in the corridor to-
night William Barnes jr.. of Albany. said to
Mr.. Hendricks;
Frank, it is the proper thing to know the axe
of candidate. How old are your
Il can't tell exactly" said Hendricks But
Billy. judging from the fun 1 have had must
be a hundred"
WILLIAM BERRI CONFIDENT.
William Berri of Brooklyn who is the field
marshal OF the Woodruff forces. is the most con-
hdent man in Saratoga tonight. Uncle Bill"
as he is known TO all OF the Republican leaders.
has the appearance OF Methodist presiding
elder and the suave voice and depreeatlUg man
ner of French duellist but ne has the pOten-
tialites for making trouble that cause many OF
his political adversaries to believe that he Is in
league with the lower world Mr. Berri is one
of the central figures in this convention. and
believes that Woodruff win be named. There
is no doubt but that Woodruff has strong fol-
lowing. He has Kings County unitedly behind
him. and has many up State delegates who IA
vor him.
Mr.. WoOdTuffs stand is clean-CUt one. He
has said to all of his friends that he is a can
didate and would like to be nominated, but he
will not enter into any fight 10 get the nomins
ton He leaves his cause in the hands OF the
delegates. and believes that sufficient demand
will be made for his nomination TO insure his
choice bv the convention. He viii abide by the
decision the leaders reach. and if another name
than his Is decided on he will make no confess
in the convention
On the other hand. Lieutenant Governor Hig-
gins has many friends For the last month the
newspapers over the State generally have indi-
Gated that Higgins is Governor Odelfs candi-
date. That is untrue. Governor Odell feels very
kindly toward MIR Higgins. but he is In no
vvav committed to him candidate. The Gov
arnor's position is practically the same Sem
ator Platts. He wants the strongest possible
candidate nominated. He believes hrmIy that
this is no year to take chances. and. no matter
what his personal feeling may be. he desires
candidate named who will pull the greatest
pumber OF votes. and whenever he Is eonvtneet
he viii be for the man who is strongest The