Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-24

gressman wadsworth. who ss chair
man of the house committee on agri-
culture came into prominence this
spring during the meat investigation at
washington.
Roosevelt Consulted
During the spea kership fight a num-
ber of the legislative leaders were sum-
moned to Washington and were IN con-
ference with President Roosevelt When
they returned TO Albany there we're
immediate assurances that young Mr..
Wadsworth would be chosen speaker.
He was so chosen on the first ballot.
IT then became generally noised about
that the president had aligned himself
morally If not openly with Governor
Higgins and his follo-ers In the state
Chairman Odell was nettled at this and
the further report that every effort
would be made to overthrow his leader
ship Of the state committee.
He called upon his friends for support
and the fight, which still continues, was
begun.
In the only test vote Of the state
committee taken this year. Chairman
Odell was accredited with a victory by
a margin of one vote. The friends of
Governor Higgins claim that the one
absent member of the committee was
aligned with the governor and had
sent his proxy to the committee, but it
arrived too late.
This vote. they claim, would have
made the division of the committee a
tie. Governor Higgins friends also de-
Clared that too great Significance should
not be attached to the vote, for a new
state committee is to be named this
year.
Wants Stronger Man
Governor Higgins was a recent visitor
to Oyster Bay, where he was in con-
sultation with the president Thus |
once more at a critical 1uncture the |
president had implied his position with !
out openly stating it. He has given |
accent to Governor Higgins visit by |
inviting former Lieutenant Governor
Timot.-y L. Woodruff to luncheon at !
Oyster Bay Mr.. Woodruff Is one Of
Mr.. Higgins most optspoken adher-
ents.
Governor Higgins has not openly
stated whether or not he will be a
candidate for denomination. Chairman
Odell has publicly stated that he Is
opposed to the denomination Of Gov
ernor Higgins on the ground that the
history of the state has shown candi-
dates for reelection to be poor candi-
dates.
He thinks stronger man could be
found elsewhere. Allied with Chair
man Odell are United States Senator
Thomas c. Platt and Lemuel Ely
Quigg.
There is a well founded belief that
President Roosevelt is lending his i'm
piled influence to Governor Higgins for
the purpose Of helping him gain con-
troll of the state convention.
Then it is intimated that the governor
will withdraw and himself nominate
his successor, who will be a man be-
lieved to be capable of drawing the
votes of both factions of the party and
will also be cordially approved by Pres
ident Roosevelt.
The suggested candidates other than
Governor Higgins are quite numerous
and cover wide range of personalities.
The number has been multiplying as
the day of the convention approaches.
Among them is Charles E. Hughes, the
lawyer, who was nominated for mayor
of New York City last fall by the Re-
publicans, but declined the honor Mr..
Hughes was the attorney for the legiS-
lative committees which Investigated
the gas situation in New York City
and the life insurance companies of
the state. Former Governor Odell has
claimed Mr. Hughes as candidate and
it has also been suggested that he
was favored by President Roosevelt.
Mr.. Hughes says that he has made no
promises to anyone. Chairman Odell
is also credited with suggesting the
name of Secretary of State Elihu Root,
now on a tour of South America.
One of the latest of the suggested
Republican candidates is Postmaster
General George B. Corteyou, who is
also chairman of the Republican ma
tional committee. Many of the names
have been suggested without consulta-
tion with the principals, it is said. but
have been mentioned merely as possi-
bilities and as men whom the party
might call upon in it's hour of need.
The Republican fight is all the more
from the fact that the party
is at present in power in the state and
has been for several years past