The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-08
WOODRUFF AT WHITE HOUSE
NO MENTION MADE or THE Va
CiNCY Nv THE CABINET.
Fhe President Summoned Him and vii.
liam Berri to Discuss the Political
situation IN This State--C0rtelyo and
sheldon Also Talk with the President.


sheldon Also Talk With the President.
WASHINGTON, Oct. -Four Republicans
OF prominence in the party gave their
views to President Roosevelt to-day in re-
gard to the political situation in New York.
These were Chairman Cortelyou of the
Republican national committee; George
r. Sheldon, formerly member Of the national
committee for the State OF New York.
william Berri, proprietor of the Brooklyn
Standard Union, and Timothy L. Woodruff
Mr.. Sheldon called alone and remained
only short time, and Chairman Cortelyou
was with the President for half an hour or
more after the Payne funeral.
The visit which attracted the most atten-
ton was that of Mr.. Woodruff, for he was
invited to come to Washington to confer
with the President, and his coming was
widely heralded. As an afterthought the
President sent an invitation to Mr.. Berri,
and both OF these gentlemen were Mr..
Roosevelt's guests at luncheon.
There was no mention OF the vacancy
in the Office of Postmaster-G eneral during
Mr. Woodruff's visit, and this matter will
not be settled for several days; but there
was a thorough threshing out Of political
affairs in the Empire State. Whether or
not the President was pleased by what
he heard is not disclosed. but it il certain
that he received more information about
the fractional differences among the Re-
publicans of the State than he has heard
on any occasion since his return to Wash.
ington from Oyster Bay.
Persons who are invited to be the Presi-
dents guests at luncheon are usually
ushered into the State dining room at half
past o'clock, but it was almost 2 O'Clock
before Mr.. Roosevelt walked over to the
house from his Office and met Mr.. Wood
ruff and Mr.. Berri, who were waiting in one
of the parlors, The President had been
detained by his talk with Chairman Cortel-
you.
The luncheon and ensuing conversation
lasted until half-past o'clock, and
than Mr. Woodruff and Mr.. Berri hurried
back to their hotel preparatory to taking
a late afternoon train for New York.
Il had a note from the President day
before yesterday said MIR. Woodruff,
inviting me to come over and take luncheon
with him to-day. He did not indicate
why he wanted to see me. but presumed
1t was for the purpose Of talking over politi-
cal matters. We had talk about politics
in the city and State, dealing with the gen.
eral situation as it appears at this time
In reply to questions about his own atti-
tude and the hostility of Woodruff Republi-
cans in Kings county to the Odell-Higgins
ticket, Mr. Woodruff said:
Il am for the Republican State ticket.
/ always have been for it. told the Presi-
dent that the Roosevelt and Fairbanks
electors would be elected by good ma
jority, but there is no Disgusting the fact.
of course, that there is a serious contest
on the State ticket, and what the outcome
will be no one knows. Undoubtedly, the
State ticket will run behind the national
ticket as this is the general experience in
New York elections. l am doing all 1 can
for the State ticket In Brooklyn. Irhave
received requests to campaign in some
Of the counties upstate. Whether will
be able to accept these invitations cannot
say at this time"
Chairman Cortelyou's conference with
the President did not continue during the
afternoon, but was concluded before the
hour of luncheon. Mr.. Cortelyou assured
the President that the State Of New York
is safe SO far as the national ticket is
concerned, but it ia no secret in the Admins.
tration that both he and the President are
doubtful of the success of the State ticket.
1t became known this Afternoon that Mr..
Cortelyou had not changed his mind as to
the desirability of bringing the Republican
candidate out on the stump. He does not
insist on a general tour Of the State. but
believes Higgins should at least SHOW him
self" to q few Of the voters.
1t was said to-day that Governor Chair
man Odell had sent word 70 Washington
within the last day or two that the State
ticket is sure to be elected. Supplementary
information from managers Of the Odell-
Higgins ticket was that If the election
were held tomorrow Herrick would be
chosen, but that the Republicans expect
to bring about reversal OF sentiment be-
md