New-York tribune., 1908-08-12
LEADERSSEE WOODRUFF
VIEWS ON THE GOVERNOR.
Conferences Preceding To-day's
Meeting of State Committee.

39th street. yesterday. They here for the
meeting Of the committee. to be held at the
Republican Club at noon to-day. the principal
business Of which will be TO select time and
place for the state convention
At the request Of Timothy L. Woodruff. chair
man Of the state committee. the leaders got
around yesterday in order that he might have
the opportunity to talk with them regarding the
denomination of Governor Hughes. The con-
ferences started before o'clock in the morn
ing and lasted until late in the evening They
will be resumed to-day.
The problem as to Governor Hughes Is be-
coming more serious to the leaders every day.
and they frankly admit that they at re-
garding the right course to pursue "It is one
OF the most trying and at the Same time
Of the most peculiar situations have ever seen
in this state" said one OF the leaders
IF renominate the Governor we shall lose
the support of many Republicans. and II we re-
fuse to renominate him shall certainly
arouse the resentment Of certain portion Of
the Republican voters. The question for Us
decide is what will do the least harm to the
cause. OF course. If. supposed would be
the case, the Governor had not decided that he
would accept denomination. then these trou-
bes would not have arisen"
LEADERS CAUTIOUS
press privately their personal opinion being
opposed TO the denomination of the Governor.
they were exceedingly cautious about placing
themselves on public record one way or the
other
Senator Raines. Of Ontario. majority leader OF
the Senate, was asked about the Hughes senti-
ment in his district. Il am watching develop
ments,' he replied
What do your constituents think Of Hughes?'
asked
MY constituents are thinking of harvesting
their crops just now." said the Senator. evas-
lively.
Senator Raines said he taking post
ton himself and was willing to leave the
question to the people. There seemed TO be
growing sentiment among the leaders that per-
haps IL would be good thing TO place the re-
sponsibility for the nomination OF a Governor
directly the delegates, letting it be under
stood that the leaders were making no sugges-
tions of any kind.
Charles s. Belts, committeeman from the
Cayuga. Ontario. Wayne and Yates district.
pressed himself follows:
'I think that the selection of a candidate for
Governor should be left entirely to the delegates
in the convention. They should certainly Know
how their constituents feel. I find that the
sentiment In our district is much mixed The
great trouble is that those who are opposed TO
Hughes are men whom 1t is easy to pIacate-
Talking to them seems 20 do no good Much OF
the sentiment for Hughes may be split up be-
fore election"
Mr.. Belts declared that personally ne liked
the Governor and believed he would give a
good account Of himself IL elected for another
term. There was TO denying, however, that
what might be called the more liberal element
were against the Governor The hotel men
and the Catholics had an idea that he was too
narrow. While these things were not true. that
made no difference If the people believed them
BOUND TO MAKE ENEMIES.
'It makes no difference how popular per-
sonaIIy Governor may be-" said Mr.. Belts,
'she is bound make many enemies in office
The better Governor he makes the more enc
mics he is likely to make. You will find that
IN the last fourteen years the Republican party
has been In power this state II has nominated
only one for second term Governor.
That was Governor Odell. who. at the end OF
his first term, was as popular with the Republi-
cans farmers a man might be. for he had aboI-
ished the direct state tax; but he re-elect-
ed by only 5000 votes. while his plurality the
first time was much greater"
John A Merritt, OF Lockport. committeeman
from the Genesee. Livingston. Niagara. Orleans
and Wyoming district, first said that sentiment
had not crystaized on the situation up his way.
Then he added that Livingston County would
surely present the name OF Speaker Tadsworth
for Governor and that he had many friends In
adjoining counties Senator Horace White. Of
Syracuse, also had some strength IN the dis
trict. he said
Congressman ]. S1oat Fassett OF EIn1ira, and
William Barnes. Jr., OF Albany. seemed to think
that the Republican voters would express them
selves when they elected their delegates to the
situation is up to the people. and think he Is
right for once" said Brr. Barnes. II think the
people will express their desires at the prfn1a-
ries and at the conventions"
Congressman Fassett reported that there was
little doubt that Senator Owen Cassidy would
be defeated for denomination. TOmpkins and
Ttosa counties have already requested the SEN
ator TO retire from the race Schuyler the hons
county Of the Senator. will unquestionabIy be
for him. Chemung. the county in which Con-
gresham Fassett lives. has done nothing vet.
but he intimated that most OF the votes might
he for Cassidy and that the Senate convention
might result in deadlock Among those men
TONED 10 succeed Cassidy are ex-Assemblyman
Sherman Moreland. OF Chemung and Judge
Newman OF sTompkins. Senator Cassidy is az
present IN the sanatorum at Battle Creek.
Mich. and is said 10 be extremely sick
WILCOX UNCERTAIN
Senator Benjamin NJ. Wilcox who. with Sen
ator Cassidy. was one of the Republicans %
voted against the anti-racetrack gambling bills
was among the callers at state headquarters.
He said he could not say whether or not hs
would be renominated but that his own county.
Cav,,ga would undoubtedly be for him II has