The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-21
GOV. HIGGINS UNDECIDED.
Some Of His Friends Urge Him 70 Announced
His Candidacy for denomination.

ALBANY, Sept. 2O.-Gov. Higgins had a
long conference at the Executive Mansion
last night, which did not break up until
early this morning, regarding plans for the
Republican State convention, which meets
at Saratoga next Tuesday. Those who
talked with the Governor were William
Barnes, Jr., Francis Hendricks Of Syracuse.
Railroad Commissioners George W. Aldridge,
Secretary OF State John r. O'Brien n
n. V. v. Franchot, the State Superintendent
OF Public Works.
They urged him to announce his candi-
dacy for denomination. Gov. Higgins has
unusual ideas regarding the attitude he
should assume toward a denomination.
He would like to rave the nomination come
to him apparently without any public ex-
preston or n on his part. In
fact, he feels that his denomination, without
any expression beforehand from him as to
whether or not he would accept, would be a
fitting climax to the opposition which he
and his friends have evinced toward Chair
man Odell since James W. Wadsworth was
elected Speaker OF the Assembly.
1t is not yet decided whether, after a final
conference on Saturday with his friends, the
Governor should then make an
IleDJ Oh HIS DObiJlOu u WucbtCA uC nuOulN
make no announcement until after the
nomination is made. Meanwhile, the Gov
ernor declines to say yes or no to the re-
peated questions OF the newspaper corre-
spondents as to whether he Is a candidate
for denomination.
Timothy L. Woodruff came to Albany to-
night. He will remain here until he goes
to Saratoga. Gov. Higgins, Mr.. Woodruff
and Mr.. Barnes dined at the Fort Orange
Club. The Governor was just az nom
commital TO Mr.. Woodruff as he has been
to his other advisers. A I'M conference
of the Governor n MS political friends
will occur Sunday, when il u expected
that the Governor will make some sort
Of an announcement Of his plans.
Gov. Higgins has been so averse to taking
a stand one way or the other that the
question of who should be selected as the
nominee should he decline to run again
has been canvassed by the members OF the
Governors kitchen cabinet. They are gen.
orally adverse to the nomination Of a
high class candidate OF the type Of Mr..
Hughes solely on the ground that II elected
he would rave nothing in common with
their political fortunes.
The Governors political advisers ex-
pressed the opinion to-day that they could
name Lieut.-Go M. Lin Bruce az the
Republican nominee for Governor should
Mr. Higgins decline to run They argue
that he Is tractable and would subeerve
what might be termed their vested political
interests. They say that Mr.. Bruce could
make a fine campaign, that he is in the
line of promotion and that some Of the
a~nti-Higgins machine men would be more
favorable to him than to others that have
been mentioned.
About the only definite statement Gov.
Higgins's friends will make is that they
will be able to nominate any one they please
if Gov. Higgins finally decides not to run.
Inferentially they are opposed to any
candidate who would not willingly become
acclimated to the political atmosphere
at the Capitol "a it exists at present.
II Gov. Higgins run again there seems
to be an impression that the State ticket
will be renominated except that new men
will be named for Secretary OF State and
Comptroller. Senator Merten E. Lewis
of Rochester has been mentioned for Comp
troller. George W. Aldridge is very fond
of him,