New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-11-16
SUPPORT WADSWORTH.
PARSONS And WOODRUFF.
also Predict Election of Ray B.
Smith as Clerk.

herbert Parsons. president Of the Republican
county Committee. and Timothy D. Woodruff.
chairman Of the Republican State Committee;
william Barnes, Jr, of Albany, and Francis s.
Hendricks, of Syracuse. are acting together in
the support of James ". Wadsworth for
Speaker and Ray b. Smith, of Syracuse, FOR
clerk of the next Assembly. Colonel Archie e.
BAXTER of Elmira is a candidate for the clerk
SNIP and thinks he has enough votes pledged to
eject him. Mr.. Parsons said last night that
there was little doubt that Wadsworth and
Smith would win
Mr. Woodruff also said yesterday that Wads-
worth and Smith would win. Mr. Parsons re-
turned from Washington on Thursday night
AS noted in yesterdays Tribune State Chair
man Woodruff and Speaker Wadsworth were in
conference at the Hotel Manhattan last Thurs
day afternoon with Secretary Corteyou
The politicians put two and two together
yesterday. and said that the friends of President
Roosevelt had begun their campaign for the con-
trol of the State Legislature. The facts do not
seem to warrant dragging national politics into
the contest over the Assembly clerkship but
some Of the most eminent political "dopesters'
IN town insist that the clerkship fight is the ten
der shoot and from IT will grow tree with
Presidential suggestveness.
have assumed right along" said President
PARSONS last night to Tribune reporter, that
colonel Baxter would retire this year and leave
the field free for Mr.. Smith. That was the
understanding last year when N1r Smith stepped
aside"
Colonel Baxter dsavovs such an alleged Un-
derstanding, and Chairman Woodruff said last
year that there was no understanding reaching
into this year" was suggested
Yes" said Mr.. Parsons "but all tho CANA
there was a secret understanding that Mr.
smith was 10 have the cerkship this year, and
II looks as If he would get it. I do not see why
Colonel Baxter should expect it again The
clerkship is organization patronage Chemung
did not elect a Republican AssembIynan this
year. Why should that county be specially
recognized in the distribution Of patronage after
a failure to aCquit herself with credit?"
rs there Presidential politics in the night
over the clerkship?"
No that is all nonsense" said NJ Parsons
The clerkship is wholly a matter of Assembly
politics. and not OF large dimensions II is
absurd to try 10 attach unusual significance
10 IT,"
I have no hesitation I'm saying that Speaker
Wadsworth will be reelected. and that Ray
B, Smith viii be elected clerk said state
Chairman Woodruff last night. Speaker wads-
worth now has pledges in writing to re-elect
him. As 10 the majority leadership. made va
want by the defeat OF Assemblyman Moreland
a new element has been introduced by the ap-
legany. said ten days ago that probably Ed
win a. Merritt. Jr., of St. Lawrence. would be
chosen. but did not know then Of another can
didate. Mr.. Smith had votes enough to elect
him last year. but as Colonel Baxter had a
large Grand Army support. and as did not
wish to embarrass the administration by max
ing an open fight for the place. l induced Mr.
Smith TO withdraw in Mr.. BaXteT's favor, prom
Using to give him my support this year. Now
will have to keep faith with Mr.. Smith"
There is a strong probability that Assem-
byman Phillips. for the sake of harmony, will
consent to accept the craftsmanship OF tho Judi
ciary Committee, and allow the majority leader
ship to go to Assembyman Merritt. This ar
rangement would give Speaker Wadsworth a
smooth working majority. Mr.. Wadsworth is
going to see Mr.. Phillips about IT next week
State Chairman Woodruff said there was moth
ing in the rumor that he opposed 10 La
fayette B. Gleason continuing secretary OF
the Republican State Committee.
Ray b. Smith. slated by Messrs. Woodruff and
Parsons for clerk of the Assembly, in Yale
when Mr.. Parsons was there. Chairman Wood
ruff also is a Yale man.