New-York tribune., 1908-04-05
W0N'TNAME DELEGATES
GOT. HUGHES DECLINES.
Letter to Chairman Hoodruf Made
Public at .4Ibany.
IBy Telesraph 70 The rr!hune.l

albany. April 4-Replyins TO q letter from
state Chairman Woodruff asking his wishes
IS TO the identity Of the delegates-at-large
ron this state 10 the Republican National
Convention. Governor Hughes declined posi-
.ively to-day 10 express any preference. He
declared that he did not care Ito intervene in
any way and expressed the belief that the
uzrtys interests would be served best by the
state convention assuming all responsibility for
The identity OF the delega ties at Large.
The Governors letter to Chairman Woodruff
follows;
Ny Dear Woodruff: / have received your let
Ter asking me TO convey TO you my wishes with
regard 10 The matter Of delegates -at-large to
TIE national convention As ! teephOned you
this morning. do not desire TO make any sug-
zes15on as 70 those who should be selected
delegates Personally. l should care to ex-
rress any preference as between individuals. 1
desire. 10 adhere 10 the attitude which / have
publicly announced. that 1 should not endeavor
10 influence the selection or the vote Of dele
esres 70 any convention. | know Of no good
reason To- changing this position
IN the choice OF these delegates the wishes of
the Replo!!can voters o. the state. acting
through their Representatives il the state con-
yeBtion. should find free expression. The dele
rsres 70 the state convention have been chosen
for the express purpose Of electing delegates to
rhe national convention They are fresh from
rbei- constituencies and know the wishes OF the
voters They are responsible 10 the voters tor
fheir choice. and il turn the delegates -at-laTge
r. TIE national convention should be directly and
eEcusiyely responsible to the body selecting
Tdo not think it proper to intervene in
zxy. and IN The assumption by the state conven-
.f91 Of The reSoorsfbiIftv not merely for the
formal selection but for the actual choice Of the
delegates at-arge ! believe the interests OF the
partv Vgll be best conserved.
Hoping that the proceedings Of the convention
vii D. conducive 10 that party harmony which
IS absolutely essential TO success in the coming
ca-Tsign- remain. very respectfully yours.
CHARLES E HUGHES
Tbs action Is no surprise To friends of the
Governor here. and should be no surprise 10 Mr.
woodr-F and his colleagues. since the Gov
erro- indicated 10 them several We ks ago that
le could not see that il was his duty TO assume
Dictatorship over the proceedings Of the state
convention The proposition has been broached
70 --e Governor on several occasions. though
never directly until Mr. Woodruns letter TO
u-tich tle Governor referred was received. and
rs friends have discussed It with the Governor
Is II has from time TO time been revived in the
political gossip IN New York and Washington
Iffs attitude always has been that Of non-In-
te-terzrce. just as he declared in his speech of
October Is lasff year before The f'eI'i'L
Club
7 have not sought nor shall / seek directly
o. indirectly. to influence the selection or the
vote 4 any delegate 70 any convention There
W-u be no suggestion thought Of influence.
protest or reprisal in the executive chamber
That assertion was made before he had an
rounced even that he would consider accepting
,he Presidential nomination.
Hughes men said when the suggestion
srst made that the Governor name his dele
gates at-lsrge that il offered 10 lukewarn
Hughes men in this state an excellent oppor-
tuTity for lodging responsibility in case the
New York delegation 70 Chicago wandered away
from the Hughes fold. That still is their view
y the situation They say that the state con-
vention VIII be forced to choose delegates for
GOVERNOR Hughes first. last and always, run
t.@ risk a dealing with an incensed following
T. Republican voters in the coming state cam
ra-zu.