The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-25
New York Slipping Away from Him
and Leaders Oppose Him.


Albany IN. W Cor. New York World.
President Roosevelt, it became known
here today, is becoming as keenly anxious
over what New York will do at the re-
publican national convention as he is
about Ohio, Indiana and various other
states which are suspected of having
strong Hanna tendencies.
Mr.. Roosevelt, the World correspond
ent learned, had been making strenuous
efforts for an early convention in his
home state. He Is keenly anxious to
have New York lead off in stampede
for him. With tHis object in view he
has been urging that the state conven-
ton be held at the earliest possible mo-
ment and the entire seventy-eight dele
gates instructed for him.
1t will be news to the general public
that this plan of the President has met
with the serious opposition of nearly
every important party leader in the state
The situation is somewhat similar to that
of two years ago, when his effort to
have the state delegates pledged to him
twenty-four months in advance nearly
split the party in two.
When republican opposition to Roose-
velt's denomination first asserted itself
several months ago he undertook to have
the New York state convention called
very early in the present year. If the
President had succeeded the New York
convention would have been called to as
semble not later than March Is. and the
solid delegation would be pledged to his
denomination. But the opposition to
Roosevelt has become so strong in his
home state that his plans for an early
convention has been absolutely baked.
In fact, there is no likelihood now that
the convention will be held before April
15 and it may be delayed as late as
April 25. the date upon which it was held
four years ago.
One of the NOSE prominent party lead
ers in the state, talking to the World
correspondent tonight, said:
''If you had asked me one month ago
I should have said that the chances in
ton were 1000 to /. When you ask me
that question now l can only reply that
in my judgment the Presidents chances
are 500 to /. What they will be in one
month from now l cannot say"
Inquiry among the conspicuous repub-
lcans at the state capitol tonight re-
veals that there is as yet no fixed plan
to instruct the New York delegates for
Roosevelt or any candidate. The fact
is that every prominent republican in the
state who in the past has contributed
to the party campaign fund is bitterly
opposed to Roosevelt's denomination.
1t is known that great pressure has
been brought to bear upon Senator Platt
to compel him to desert Roosevelt. Up to
date. however. neither Senator Platt nor
Governor Odell has wavered in his advo-
cacy of the Presidents denomination.
Unfortunately for Mr.. Roosevelt there
is state law which makes 1t impossible
for the New York convention to be held
as early as he desires. This law provides
for the holding of the spring primaries
in the last week in March in New York.
Albany, Troy, Syracuse, Rochester and
Buffalo. Hence it would be impossible
for the local conventions to meet and
select delegates to the congressional and
state conventions much before the mid
die of April.