Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-24
DOINGS AT OYSTER BAY
PRESIDENT TALKS WITH TIM
oTHY L. WOODRUFF TODAY.
Secretary Cortelyou to Call Tonight to
Discuss Phases of the Ma
tional Campaign.

OYSTER BAY, L. l., August 24.-After a
delightful horseback ride and some invigor
ating exercise about the grounds Of Saga
more Hill today, President Roosevelt work
ed for several hours in his library. He was
Joined there by Secretary Loeb and to-
gether they disposed Of an accumulation
of mail relating principally to government
business.
National Chairman George B. Cortelyou
will be guest Of the President tonight.
He will arrive here on late afternoon
train and remain until tomorrow morning.
He desires to consider with the President
some phases of the campaign which have
arisen. in which the President has a par
ticular interest.
Timothy L. Woodruff, former lieutenant
governor of New York, was a caller at Sag
amore Hill today having spent much of his
time at his summer resort in the Adiron-
dacks, Mr.. Woodruff has not had opportun-
ity to see the President since he returned
from Europe. His special mission here
today was to discuss with the President
the appointment of a successor to the late
]. H. Brigham as assistant secretary of
agriculture, although quite naturally the
New York and the general political situa-
tions were considered.
Woodruff Talked Frankly.
Mr. Woodruff talked frankly about his
visit and about the New York political sit
Sycamore Hill.
Il really know very little at this time con-
cerning the business on which the Presi-
dent desires to see me- said he. I'VE shall
discuss good many things, l fancy, re-
lating to both politics and personal matters
The President wants to talk to me, l un-
Gerstand, about the vacant assistant secre-
taryship of agriculture, but l know moth
ing practically concerning it,
To Be Open and Undirected.
Can you say anything concerning the
New York political situation, particularly
that regarding the republican gubernatorial
nomination."
Yes, can say this, replied Mr.. Wood
ruff. AN agreement has been entered
into by which the convention which is to
be held at Saratoga just three weeks from
this time will be absolutely open and un-
directed. l was up in the woods when l
received a message from Senator Platt
that he was in receipt of a letter from
former Secretary Elihu Root declining to
be considered candidate for the nomina
ton.
Il joined Mr.. Platt and spent last Sun
day with him, accompanying him to New
York on Monday.
I'VE discussed the matter thoroughly.
Conference With Odell.
Later we had conference with Gov
ernor Odell. Then 1t was agreed, so far
as we three are concerned, that the con-
vention should be left to an absolutely un-
trammeed choice of a candidate for gov
ernor. No effort will be made by us to
pledge delegates, the idea being to have
the representatives of the people in the
convention determine for themselves with
out interference their choice of candi-
date.
Mr.. Woodruff said that Mr. Roots let
ter to Senator Platt took him out of con-
sideration for the gubernatorial nomina-
ton beyond all doubt
President Jacob Gould Schurmann of Cor
nell University arrived on the same train
with Mr.. Woodruff and accompanied him to
the home of the President. Mr.. Schur-
manns visit to Mr.. Roosevelt was of a
personal character and was not In any
respect significant.