New-York tribune., 1905-12-19
HIGGINS FOR WADSW0RTH
NEW FACTOR IN FIGHT.
Hooker Withdra5es from Speaker
ship Fight Surprise al Aroand.


Albany, Dec. 1S.-James w. Wadsworth jr..
son of Congressman James w. Wadsworth. of
the Bath Congress District. and son-in-law
of John Hay. the late Secretary of State. was
declared by Governor Higgins this afternoon to
be his candidate for Speaker of the Assembly
during the session sof ethe State Legislature.
which will meet January. 3.
The Governors announcement WIS made form
ally in typewriter statement. which he read to
the newspaper men, and came as an entire sur
prise not only to practically all those VINO
have been watching the political situation but
to Mr. Wadsworth himself. ito whom the first
ii.timation of it came last night while he and
his father were guests of the Governor at din
ner at the Executive Mansion.
Il came down hero at the Governors invita-
ticn," Mr. Wadsworth said. las supposed. to
attend conference
AssembIyrnan s. Percy Hooker. of Genesee,
who has been a candidate for Speaker was
with the Governor and Mr.. Wadsworth when the
announcement was made. and declared MIN
self entirely satisfied to withdraw in Mr. Wads-
worth's favor. To this the Governor hlmseh
added that Mr. Wadsworth would not consent
+o the ,,se of his name until assured of Mr..
Hooker's willingness to withdraw in Mr. Wads-
worth's favor. .
The Governor declared positively that the sug-
gestion of Mr. Wadsworth's name was not the
result of any conference with Ex-Governor
Odell; indeed that his name had not been mem
toned between him and the State chairman MT.
Higgins was told tonight of Mr. Odelis refusal
to discuss Mr.. Wadsworth's candidacy, and re-
ceived the news in silence
Have you reason to suppose that Governor
Odell or his friends will oppose the election OF
Mr.. Wadsworth?' the Governor was asked.
Il hope not
.Or that there will be any other opposition
from any quarter"
"I hope not"
You are looking, then. for a unanimous ac-
ceptance of your suggestion of Mr. Wadsworth's
name?"
81 cannot say. I hope So"
Tonight the Governor talked further.
DO you think the suggestion will have the
approval of President Roosevelt?" he was
asked.
81 know of no reason why it should not" re-
piled the Governor. smiling broadly
Does he know of it?'
VERY probably by this time" he answered,
quickly adding, that is, if you gentlemen of the
press have done your duty"
RESULT OF CAREFUL CONSIDERATIONS
'.I have discussed the question of the Speaker
ship with men representing every element IN the
Republican party" the Governor added, land
m action
most careful consideration. have tried to do
the hest thing for the people of the State and for
my party"
He said that he had already received numerous
assurances of approval from prominent men
whom he declined to name.
state Committeeman Barnes, of Albany, an
nounces that the four Republican Assembymen
from Albany County will support Mr. Wads-
worth" said listener,
Have you had other assurances from people
in a position to guarantee actual votes?"
Il believe Mr.. Wadsworth will have the sup
port of majority of the Republican members
of the Assembly" said the Governor. Il may
say. of a very liberal majority"
Mr. Rogers, of Binghamton. says he is still
a candidate said a correspondent
Il informed Mr. Rogers over the tele-
phone last night" said the Governor that I
could not give him my support. I thought that
due him"
Have you also telephoned to Mr.. Merritt, of
St Lawrence?"
Mr. Merritt has had similar message
through another party.
How about Mr. Cox. of Erie?"
Mr. Cox with Postmaster Greiner. of Buffalo,
was here to see me to-day and 1 told him
about it. His attitude, like that of Mr.. Hooker
is that of cheerful withdrawal"
The Governor would not discuss the question
of who would be Republican leader of the As
sembly this winter Cthe Office now held by, Mr.
Rogers. or any other aspect of the assembly
organization
Several other Assemblymen we're among the
Governors callers to-day including Henry K.
Williams Of Dunkirk successor of Speaker
Nixon in the ID Chautauqua District, and
Messrs Mead of Albany. and Moreland, of
Chemung who have been among those men
toned for the Speakership; Steele. of Herkimer.
and Whitney, of Saratoga.
THE GOVERNORS STATEMENT
The statement of Governor Higgins is as
follows:
While 1 fully recognize and thoroughly un-
derstard that the members of the Assembly
have the right and it is their duty to select
their own Speaker. at the same time the Gov
ernor and all the people or the State are neces-
sariIv deeply interested any action that may
he taken There have been a number of can
1idates in the field and much has been said in
relation to their fitness and ability. 1t is pleas
ing TO me to be able to say that regard all
of those candidates of ability and in
tegrity and Il is very natural that many OF
them should feel that their Yong service In the
Assembly and the prominent positions which