The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-09-17

Non for Soverncr-f He Refuses.
Opposition to Hughes viii Collapse.
Wild Enthusiasm Followed His
Speech As Temporary Chairman.
Saratoga y. Y. Sept IS. - Elhu
Root secretary OF state OF the United
States. was the central figure in the
first session of the Republican STATE
convention. which met in this village.
The convention effected tenn orary or
ganization and heard the speech OF
Mr.. Root as temporary chairman
II is no less than truth 20 say that
the welcome accorded to Secretary
Root and the demonstrations OF ap-
proval which interspersed and follow
cd his speech. surpassed in outlusi-
asm. II not in duration. those which
were accorded upon the mention of
the names OF President Roosevelt. Gov
ernor Hughes or the presidential nom
ince. William II. Taft himself
The great body OF delegates and al
ternates. numbering more than 2DO0
persons. and the people in the CALLER
les. which We're we'll filed but NJ no
time crowded heard Mr. Roots speech
with close attention and evident ap-
proval IL dealt almost exclusively with
national matters. but began with a
tribute 10 the work of Governor
Hughes and the state administration
in general 20 which the convention
responded with applause and cheers.
lacking not SD much in apparent rol-
ume oi duration as in unan,mity of par
ffff In D.
greeted 'hc name of Governor Hughes
started by the bulk of ihe New York
county delegation. was Joined in only
by scattered upstate DELEGATIONS and
sma! groups OF individuals here and
there. most OF the delegates SAT grim
and silent taking no part in the
cmonstratiou. which lasted less than
sixty seconds. The greatest portion Of
the cheering came from the gallery.
IL was noticeable in the convention
that but scattered applause greeted
Mr Roots reference TO the pessage Of
the antframhiine bills and stll less
TO his sllusion 90 direct ncminatinc
primaries. and the general impression
was that the platform most acceptable
TO the convention as a whole would be
one In which there was little specific
mention OF these main features OF the
governors program.
The anti Hughes leaders seem to
have stakcd their all in the effort 10
induce Secretary OF State Eiihu Rcot
20 accept the nomination f0r governor
In the stead OF Governor Hughes. That
Mr.. Root has been impressed bv the
strength OF the movement in his be-
half and by the importance OF his do
cision as affecting the party welfare.
can be stated with the utmost conf
dence. Nor is he deciding the cues
ton alone. In its decision il is known
that he is seeking the counsel of men
hisA in the leadership of the party
and decision is expected hourly. Fnr.
thor than this it is impossible to state
particulars. but q crisis was reached
IN the matter last evening. and tho
sum total OF the situation was that nm
less Mr. Root was advised and decided
to allow his name TO be used. the on
position 10 Governor Hughes nomina-
ton would probably then collapse and
Governor Hughes be nominated upon
the first ballot
Mr. Root told the leaders, however.
that he could not think OF such
thing. Il am the senior member OF
President ROoseyelts cabinet" he
was quoted as saying, and II should
do such thing, either ! would be ac-
cused. and rightly. of disloya'ty TO the
president, or he would be accused.
with good reason. OF insincer.ty In his
attitude toward the governor renomi.
nation"