New-York tribune., 1907-11-15
PHILLIPS FOR LEADER.
MAJ, BE WADSWORTH NAN
Upstate Ncscs Complicates the
iSpeakership Situation.

The seeribIv S;,eakersliip situation was COM
7.iicatcd Yesterday By the news from the "esl-
ern end of the state that Jesse Phillips OF Al
Ieqanv County. father OF the so-called anti
a5ulterv bill. was an avowed candidate for the
majority leadership The politicians interpreted
,h.s &C meaning that Speaker Wadsworth was
hacking Phillips as against Edwin A Merritt
sr Of St Lawrence County. Mr. MerIitts
friends said yesterday that if Phillips remained
:; candidate for the leadership Mr.. Merritt
,.o,,ld contest the Speakership with Mr. Wads-
worth Mr.. Phillips is the ranking member OF
the ways and Means Committee, this constitute
ing the main reason for his being candidate
for leader Assembyman Moreland was os-
feated Assemblyman Burnett is dead, and
AssembIynan Rogers of Binghamton. was not
rcnominated. This leaves Phillips the senior
member in point of service.
The friends OF Colonel Archie L. Baxter said
yesterday that Ex-Governor Frank S. Black had
decided 10 support Colonel Baxter for clerk
Mr Black retains an active interest in Repub-
lican politics in Troy. The Baxter men say
that they have about fifty members as good as
pledged and that Ray B. Smith has little chance
Of winning the coveted honor
When Mr.. Wadswortb was seen yesterday he
faid: 'sThere seems to be a concerted attempt
on the part Of one or two newspapers in this
town aided by one or two Senators, TO make il
appear that the election Of a clerk by the next
Assembly will make a distinct issue as between
Governor Hughes and President Roosevelt and
that the lineup the choice of clerk will lead
20 a struggle between Republican factions for
che control Of delegates to the next national
convention.
such a proposition is absurd on the face Of
St. The selection Of a clerk is q matter that
piU be settled by itself National issues are in
no way involved in It, am a candidate for
Speaker and ] am not mixing in fight for
the clerkship Probably will have to take a
positive stand IN the matter before I am elected
Speaker.
$50 far as I have learned definitely. there IS
no one opposed to me for the Speakership.
understand that Mr.. Merritt would like to he
leader. II Mr.. Merritt should decide TO enter
the contest for the Speakership I would not
think any the less of him. He is an able and
loyal gentleman and he has perfect right TO
aspire 10 the Speakership> esteem him as a
personal friend, and the Speakership contest
will not. hope, make any difference IN our
friendship"
rs # 2 fact that Assemblyman Phillips. Of
AlIegany, is a candidate for leader?"
Z understand that that is a fact, although
have not seen Mr.. Phillips this fall. expect
10 see him in few days. It is possible that
his effort TO be leader might lead TO Mr. Merritt
making q contest for the Speakership"
I not in position TO say anything llumi-
mating on that subject Governor Hughes Ger
tainly is very strong with the Republicans and
independents ali over the state President Roose-
Welt also is very strong all over the state"
State Chairman Woodruff, Speaker Wadsworth
and Secretary Cortelyou were in conference late
Yesterday afternoon at the Hotel Manhattan
1t is understood that the state situation was dis
cussed- AS he was leaving the hotel with George
W Morgan and Senator Agnew Mr.. Woodruff
said: Nothing OF public interest was discussed"
Are you going to Washington to see the
PRESIDENT"
I do not expect to-" said Mr.. Woodruff
Speaker WadsWorth also said that he had no
Intention Of going TO Washington. He said he
planned 10 return home this forenoon
Secretary Cortelyou left the hotel at dinner
Tine and it was said he would not return until
late
Senator TulIy said last night: "I have never
espoused the cause OF Colonel Baxter as q mem
her Of the Senate, but as a lifelong friend and
neighbor lie lived in my town for two
years, entering the army from Corning and
afterward being elected County Clerk from
SteUben.
While appreciating the fact that / have no
vote In the Assembly, perhaps I have as much
right 10 express an opinion on the cIerkship as
some gentlemen outside the Legislature who
had decided that Ray +. Smith should be
elected without opposition. The voters in my
county are overwhelmingly with Colonel Bax-
ter, and no doubt both members of the Assem-
bly, from Steuben will reflect this feeling by
summarizing him fu +ha T2erl1h1jcar, ca7,o,,e