The Minneapolis journal., 1904-08-25
ROOT MAY run
AGAINST LAMONT
Continued From First Page.

Should Mr.. Root adhere to his an
nounced intention not to run for gov
ernor, the most formidable figure in
the field would be former Governor
Frank S. Black. 1t is said that Black.
is Odelps first choice and Roosevelt's
Black would not interfere with Odell's
ambition to go to the senate, but
would probably further it in every
way possible. If for any reason Black
should not run, it is said Odell's choice
would be Lieutenant Governor Hig-
gins, who has wonderful personal pop
ularity. All republican factions are
friendly to him, and if there should be
a fight in the convention between big
ger men,, deadlock resulting, Hig-
gins would be the natural compromise
candidate. Others mentioned" in
connection with the gubernatorial
nomination are Representative James
S. Sherman,; N. N. Stranahan, collector
Of the New York Port; Tim woodruff
and Speaker S. Fred Nixon. Mr.. Nix
on has been "a standing candidate6for
this nomination for number Of years.
On the democratic side, the situation
is just as uncertain as it is on the re-
publican. After Lamont, the man
most talked about in Greater New
York is Mayor Mcclellan, and yet the
Mcclellan boom shows signs of sag
ging. He is not popular in the up
state districts. Controller Grout of
this city is also mentioned" but not
would widen the breach in the demo-
cratic ranks, and would be especially
offensive to Tanmany.
| The leading upstate candidate is
John B. Stanchfield, the Hill favorite.
and a close second to him is Elliott
Danforth, after whom comes Charles
M. Goodyear of Buffalo. SOS
Odell the Important Factor.
If Odell will withdraw his opposi-
! ton, Root will be nominated by the
republicans, and similarly Lamont
will be nominated by the democrats,
If Hill will consent. 1t is trifie
who cannot command the hearty sup
port of the two big bosses Of the
state, respectively, Odell on the one
side and Hill on the other.
The attitude of President Roosevelt
should not be misunderstood. He is
not seeking in any manner to influ-
ence the action of the party. While
it is natural to suppose that he would
like to see Root nominated, +, itfsmay
be stated with full authority that he
has not communicated with Root on
this subject, either directly or indi-
which, If repeated in Roots hearing,
would indicate that he is trying to
interfere. Root made heavy finan-
cial sacrifice to remain in the cabi-
net as long as he did, and since leav-
| ing that place he has made legal con-
tracts which, if not broken, will net
him hundreds Of thousands Of dol
lars during the next few years. AS
he is not a rich man, he naturally
feels that the years now at hand
which will be the best of his life
should be employed in the acquisi-
ton of a competency for old age. The
lpresident synpathizes with this argu.
ment, and is not seeking to offset it
At the same time, however, he would
be glad if Root were the republican
nominee for governor, for reasons
which may be easily understood.
If Root, the strongest man in the
New York party, should be nomin,
ated by the republicans, the demo
Gratis would be almost compelled tc
nominate Lamont, who is theil
strongest man, SO far as the govern
orship is concerned. Hill would bt
compelled to withdraw his opposition
for he really wants to see Parker elect
ed president, and would not willing
ly do anything to jeopardize the on,
state which Parker must have if h,
is to win at all.
It is not likely that the guberna
torial situation will clear up 70
some time. The republican nomina
: ton may not be determined unit! th
convention has cast a deciding bal
! lot. That ballot will have, an i'm
portant effect on the democrats, VIII,
are to meet in convention few day
: later.