New-York tribune., 1908-04-06
WOODRUFF In DILEMMA
WILL HE BE DELEGATE!
GoUernor's Stand Makes Selection OF
big -Four" PuaSIiRg.

Now that Governor Hughes has written to Chair
Woodruff of the Republican State Committee,
declining 70 take part in any way In the naming OF
the four delegatesatlarge to the national convei-
tion the party leaders undecided as TO the
they will pursue at the state convention on
Saturday. Il said last night that Mr Wood
ruff was debating the question 10 whether or not
TO give Up the honor Of being delegate-at-large
himself
The state chairrnan's friends have been urging
him 10 name as delegates large men who had no
connection with either faction OF the party prior
to the Hughes movement. who have nothing
10 lose and nothing TO gain politically and men
who are known 10 have been for the Governor from
the beginning. 1t has been the custom TO send as
delegates-at-large the four men whose power in
the organization greatest. Thus il has always
been the privilege of the state chairman to so as
delegste-at-large
Chairman Woodruff has been having something
o. struggle with himself this year to whether
or not he should relinqush this honor. But he has
been told by his friends that If the three other
delegates active politically, his failure TO
go as delesate-at-large would not mean much.
IL he goes as a district delegate the influence OF
Mr.. Woodruff the Chicago convention would be
as great as il he were delegate-at-large. Asked
yesterday If any slate had prepared, Chair
man Woodruff replied:
Absolutely We shall leave the selection
OF delegates-at-large the convention. II win be
an open contest"
II is understood that when the convention is
organized a committee will be chosen, consisting
OF member from each Congress district.
choose the delegates-at-arge In reality, however.
the question to who will compose the big four
will probably be pretty definitely settled at the
meeting OF the state committee Friday night.
member OF the state committee and a friend
OF Chairman Woodruff, speaking OF the situation
last night. said:
Men should be chosen for delegates-at-large
who have been oUtspoken advocates of the nomina-
ton OF Governor Hughes from the beginning
men who were advocating his nomination before
action was taken by the local organizations. Then.
il the Hughes candidacy should prove unsuccess-
tui, there would be no recrimlnaton on the part
OF the Governors most enthusiastic friends against
Br. Woodruff and his supporters. They have been
talking if they suspected that the state chair
man and his friends not sincere in their ad-
vocacy of the nomination of the Governor. If Mr..
Woodruff. President Parsons OF the New York
County Committee and other party leaders refrain
from accepting positions delegates -at-arge thero
can be no possible cause Of complaint The part
o. the radical Hughes element"
1t has been known that for several weeks Chair
mar Woodruff and General Stewart L. Wood1ord
have done all in their power persuade Governor
Hughes TO indicate those whom he would like TO
have delegates but the letter the state
chairman Saturday. after a final appeal the
telephone, settled that question.
II is probable that General WoOdford viii go as
Of the big four" Who the others will be is
problematical. II is known that President ]. q.
Schurman Of Cornell University would be agree
able 10 Governor Hughes. II more than dele
gate is selected from this city Charles II. Young.
president OF the Republican Club, Richard
Young jr-. former Park Commissioner OF Brook
lyn may be selected II is probable. however, that
part OF the state Will receive representation.
T. H Butler. OF Buffalo. has been talked OF as the
representative of the western part OF the state.
The fourth delegate Will probably come from the
north central part Of the state.
From all that could be learned last night the
q he of Mr.
chairman has little chance Of winning against
him on Saturday From present prospects the de-
thronement Of the state chairman viii not even be
attempted 4 that time