The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-07
WOODRUPPTOSUCCEEDP PAYNE?
THE PRESIDENT INVITES HIM
TO WASHINGTON.

II Is Suspected That the Appointment as
Pestmaster'General WIN BE offered
Him A. q Recognition OF Senator
Plat by the Federal Administration.
WARRINGTON, Oct. e.-Timothy L. Wood
ruff Ia coming here tomorrow at the in
vitation OF the President and will spend
part Of the morning at the White House
and afterward take luncheon there. While
secrecy as to the object OF the President
in asking Mr.. Woodruff to come is main
tanned at the White House, no doubt is felt
here that 1t is to discuss with him the
political situation in New York, with par
ticular reference to the feeling among
Brooklyn Republicans against Odell Hig-
gins and company, over which Mr.. Roosevelt
is apparently concerned on account OF the
effect it may have on the national and Con-
gress tickets.
There ia a suspicion here, however, that
Mr.. Woodruff's summons has some con-
nection also with the Cabinet vacancy
caused by the death Of Postmaster General
Payne, and while it has not been confirmed,
there are indications that Mr. Woodruff
appointment as chief of the postal adj
ministration would be regarded as IN ex-
cellent stroke Of policy on the part Of the
President In the present complicated state
Of New York politics.
Right here it should be understood that
Mr.. Roosevelt Ia just as confident as he
was before Odells treatment Of Platt and
Woodruff at Saratoga that the national
ticket will be successful in New York. 1t
is realized by the President and his advisers.
however, that the intense dislike OF Odell
and his methods is going to affect the vote
for the Republican State ticket, and the fear
has been expressed that the national ticket
may suffer thereby. To say that the Presi-
dent believes that Higgins will be defeated
would be unwarranted, but 1t is reasonable
statement that he is far less confident Of
the result with reference to the State ticket
than he is concerning the national ticket.
Mr.. Roosevelt is too well acquainted with
the uncertainties Of New York politics TO
need to be told that it Is possible for the
| national ticket to be successful in tho State
while the nominees OF the same party for
Governor and other State officers 60 down
to defeat and vice versa. The election OF
David b. Hill as Governor and the defeat Of
the Cleveland electors In New York on the
same day is something that has not been
forgotten by the Presidents friends here,
and with Odell as chairman Of the State
committee and his interests more concerned
in the success OF Higgins than in that OF
Roosevelt the possibilities OF trouble for
the national ticket are too great to be over
looked.
Mr. Roosevelt has let 1t be known that
he will not interfere in any way with the
State campaign, but the weakness Of, the
Odell- Higgins ticket has made II apparent
that the vote for the Republican electoral
| ticket and candidates for Congress may
suffer through the widespread antipathy
! to the grocery combine. He has been
assured within the past week by prominent
! New York Republicans that he will carry
the State by at least $4,000, and Chairman
Cortelyou, about whose conservatism and
reticence in making prophecies there can
be no doubt, has told him he thought the
Republican national ticket would win.
Nevertheless and notwithstanding, those
who have the interests Of Mr.. Roosevelt
and the Republican party at heart are not
willing to overlook any chances OF permit
ting the electoral ticket to go down with
the Odell combination. In view Of this
condition it is realized by party men here
that recognition at this time Of Senator
Platt by the Federal administration would
do much to encourage the anti Odell Repub-
licans in their desire to elect the national
ticket, and would give to Roosevelt and
Fairbanks an even larger majority in the
State than the President has reason to
expect he and his running mate will receive.
BY the appointment Of Mr.. Woodruff to
n Cabinet position not only would this
recognition of Senator Plat be accom-
plished, but Joy would be brought to the
hearts Of those personal adherents OF Wood
ruff in Brooklyn and elsewhere who can
not forget how he was treated at Saratoga
by the grocery combine.
What effect the appointment OF Mr..
Woodruff as Postmaster General would
have upon the programme for the re-
entrance of George r. CortelyOu into the
Cabinet il a mere matter OF conjecture.
1t Is believed, however, that IL the Preei-
dent intends to ask Mr. Woodruff to enter
his official family 1t will be with the full
consent Of Mr.. Cortelyou. There has been
q general understanding In Washington
among Mr.. Cortelyou's friends that his
desire to become Postmaster-General wae
based more on sentiment than on anything
else. He entered the Post Office Depart
ment as n clerk, and it would be a great
source Of pride and satisfaction to him to
, serve as its head II only for brief time.
But Mr.. Cortelyou will pro baby not b
ready to enter the Cabinet until the thirty
days within which the President must
appoint has expired, and by some this IL
regarded as reason for believing that Mr..
Woodruff will succeed Mr.. Payne. Another
Cabinet vacan cy is expected soon in the
election OF Attorney-General Moody az
Senator from Massachusetts,, and In that
event there could be a sh fitting about Of
Cabinet positions which would provide
for both Mr.. Cortelyou and Mr. Woodruff.
1t should be understood that the mon
ton Of Mr.. Woodruff's name in connection
with the Postmaster Generalship has not
been sanctioned by the White House or
any OF the close advisers Of the President.
All that is said in connection with his visit
is that the President desires a oonfer&nce
with him concerning the complicated situs-
ton in New York State.
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