Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-27
MERRITT SAYS HE is IN FIGHT
Candidate for Speaker of state As
sembIy viii open Headquar-
tcrs at Albany.

NEW YORK. Dec. 26-Assemblyman Z.
A. Merritt, jr. candidate for speakership
Of the state assembly, said today that he
expects to go to Albany tomorrow and
will open his headquarters there.
Il shall be in this fight until the finish"
said Mr.. Merritt. Il do not know OF any
compromise. They cannot compromise
with me-"
;peaking OF the endorsement by Presi-
= mt Roosevelt and Governor Higgins Of
candidacy OF ]. w. Wadsworth, jr for
! c speakership, Mr.. Merritt said:
i m receiving letters from up the state,
inc of which say that Charles the First =
. cad was cut of for less. The sentiment
: p there against interference by the gov
rowing. They have lost sight Of odell
nd Higgins in this matter and are giving
heir attention to the right OF the as
embly to elect its speaker.
This interference is "A part Of President
2oosevelt's plan to SECURE control Of the
party 3nrgsnixzstion IN II other states as wei well
troll Of New York first but the president
is trying it also in Connecticut and Ohio.
out in Connecticut but l think they will
have a fight before they get through with
Frank Brandegee. I don't know whether
| the presidents action comes from his
natural desire to run things or to advance
his rate legislation. which l am inclined
TO favor
l. " ! 1.t
gins was asked about the assertion Of Mr..
Merritt that President Roosevelt was strv-
ing to secure control Of the republican or
ganization in several states, especially in
New York, Connecticut and Ohio. lie said:
| Il do not believe President Roosevelt needs
any defense at my hands. but I am free
/ to say that ] have seen no indication of any
/ disposition on his part to control things in
/ this state"
! CLEVELAND. Dec. Ex-Governor HerricE
| referring to the statement by Assembly
| man Merritt to the effect that President
Roosevelt is trying to secure control Of
| the republican organization in Ohio, said
today: "If that is true l know nothing
| about IL and cannot therefore discuss the
matter"
| CLEVELAND, o., Dec. 2o.-United States
! Senator Charles +. Dick, who was in this
| city today, said that he had seen no evil
dence that President Roosevelt was trying
! to get control of the party management il
Ohio. He said he could understand why
| Mr.. Merritt could make such statement
but he expected TO no attempt by the
president TO control republican politics ii
the different states. Senator Dick init
mated that the Merritt statement was not
to be taken seriously Congressman Theo
dore L. Burton made a similar statement
to that made by Senator Dick, and added
| Possibly 1t would be good for the stat,
II the president would control the party
| organization, but l do not believe th'
president desires to do So"
HARTFORD. Conn, Dec. 26.-Morgan G
Bulkeley. senior senator from Connecticut
when shown the statement by Mr.. Merritt
in which the allegation was made tina
President Roosevelt was anxious to secur
political control in this state, said:
II don't know anything about any sucl
talk I am not interested in the fight II
New York state and will not he draw
into it Mr. Buckley said that he hs'
not seen the president.