Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-09-15
ROOT IS CENTRAL FIGURE
Secretary Of State Addresses New
York Republican Convention.
STRONG OPPOSITION TO HUGHES
Governor Has Many Friends Among
DeIeEates, However, and Field is
Not United ON Any
Candidate.

SARATOGA, N. Y, Sept. 1A-EIlhu Root
secretary OF state OF the United States. was
the central figure in the first session Of the
republican sttante convention, which me,
mere today. The convention effected tenn
porary ORGANIZATIONS. heard the speech OF
MI Root. as temporary chairman. and ad-
journed until tomorrow at o'clock.
1t is no less than truth TO say that the
welcome accorded TO Secretary Root sur
passed in enthusiasm. IL not I'm duration
those which were accorded on the mention
Of the names Of President Roosevelt. Gov
ernor Hughes. or the presidential nominee.
w. H. Taft. himself
Secretary Roots speech required an hour
and a half in delivery. The body of dele
gates and alternates. Numbering more than
2eoo persons, and the people ia tie gnl-
leries heard the speen NStss eStsssf = Z. >, -
proval. 1t dealt almost exclusively with
national matters, but began with a tribute
to the work of Governor Hughes and the
state administration in general.
An amusing episode during the speech
occurred when Mr.. Root repudiated the
Inference which he attributed to Mr.. Bryan.
that the enormous popular majafity ac-
corded the republican national sicket I'm
1904 was obtained by corrupt use OF money
sentiment when the hand broke out with
the familiar strains Of "Arrah Gowan.
You're Only Foolin.' " The crowd caught
on almost Instantly and began to laugh.
Mr., Root evidently did not recognize the
tune and seemed perplxed and even an
noyed by the general laughter. II quickly
subsided and he proceeded without seeing
the joke at all.
A feature OF the session was the intro
iuction OF Charles w. Anderson of New
York, the colored member at large of the
state committee, who is a deputy collector
II internal revenue for the Second district |
II an extended resolution paying glowing
r1bute to the character and public service |
" Mr.. Taft, and more particularly extend |
ng TO the presidential nominee the con- !
OF the convention on his 5lst
'irthday, which occurs tomorrow.
The resolutio nwas adopted with a shout /
ind the secretary was ordered TO telegraph 4
o Mr.. Taft. More than ordinary interest
TO the personnel Of the committee
N resolutions which is to present the plat
orm. especially when the list was read
was seen that Il consisted largely Of the
nti- Hughes part OF the convention, or at
east of the leaders more or less avowedly /
gatnst measures which Governor Hughes
as made chief ON the features OF his leg
siative program. Job +. Hedges OF New
.ork was named as chairman.
Stroag Opposition to Hughes.
The opening hours of today found the
nti-H4Bhes forces ready TO renew with
nrelenting persistence the dogged fight TO
ceomplish the governors defeat.
IL is doubtful whether a precise parallel
the circumstances can be found in recent
1iiticsl history in this state. The strength
the force behind the movement for the
OF the governor is of unknown
1tentiaiities. Nobody can do better than
ness how many delegates, II left to their
Fn voltiOn. would be for MIN or sRainst
m; his forces are uncTssaize@ zud SEEM
ely without any visible center about
hich or whom TO rally. Even the most !
lthusiastie advocates of the governors re-
animation admitted early today that the /,
'legates opposed to him could easily de-
at him II they could be brought TO unite
ION any other candidate.
Opposing Candidate LaekInE.
me search for such candidate taxed
e resources Of the opposition throughout
sterday, lasted far into the night and l
IS the subject Of endless conferences and
neral discussion, but had been admittedly I
aftless Such names as those o. sscre-
~ Of State Eiihu Root. Joseph H. choate. c
IN Low and General Horace Porter had q
en- eanVassed, but for one reason ana an
her all had been discarded. v
)ne OF the most acute and determined Of Il
anu-Hughes leaders. after canvass q
individual delegates early today. gave 70 q
, Associated Press a tabluation showing
minimum strength for Hughes ~ s2s
lereas the most conceded 70 him in the /
EQUATIONS OF yesterday was under 500
upon this canvass this anti
lghes header said:
nave no confidence IN the success OF
eff6rts. or in the figures upon which
have been basing our calculations Eel VI
Es have been founding their oonference to
Dn the assumption that they eOpId de- 70
er full counties, or az least whole dis "
,ts; bat / find that IN this convention 81
boSAes are being ignored and the dele d
es are thinking for themselves MANY q