The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-27
CHANGED POSITION IN NEW YORK STATE Political Situation Undergoes Big Change In One Week HUGHES BOOM GROWING Secretary Taft Writes Chairman Par sons Not to Oppose the lndorse-
 ment of Governor Hughes
 for President.
HUGHES BOOM GROWING

Albany, N. Y, January 26.-Possible re- organization of the republican state con- mittee, more particularly as to the chair manship of the committee and the person. mel of the 'big four" delegates at large from this state to the republican national convention to be held in Chicago on June 16 next, are the matters of chief con cern now among the politicians in and about the legislature
 These questions center in the prelimin- ary state convention to be held prob- ably in April, and add interest to prepar ations for the preliminary elections, which will be held in March for the se- lection of delegates.
 The situation has changed during the past week. Seldom within seven days have occurred two events of importance so fundamental as the two to which the shift in the polticalu situation is al most entirely due. Both were unex- pected.
 One was the acceptance by Governor Hughes, for all practical purposes, of the candidacy for the republican presidential nomination.; the other closely following, was the letter of Secretary Taft to Chair man Parsons of the republican general committee of New York county, asking his friends not to oppose indorsement of Governor Hughes by the republicans of New York state.
 The declaration of the governor was &C., cepted by most of the republican leaders as leaving the party no option in the mat ter; the letter of Secretary Taft swept away whatever remained of the opposi- ton to the Hughes candidacy, so far as this state is concerned.
 Parsons Declares for Hughes.
 Chairman Parsons, who hitherto had been regarded as virtually committed to Secretary Taft. at once declared him self for Hughes, and there seems no room for doubt that at the meeting of the New York county committee on Wednes- day the resolution for the indorsement of Governor Hughes. on which the com mittee has twice postponed action, will be adopted without opposition.
 An interesting side issue is the question of the attitude, and even the continued existence of the Hughes State League, of which Former Senator Edgar T. Brack-
  tor Bracket declares that the league Is now more necessary than ever before, insinuatng that the Hughes boom Is In greater danger than ever and that tits enemies have come on board the ship only to scuttle it.''
 Former Governor Frank S. Black of AL bany is mentioned first as representing the Hughes interest in the delegation at large. Black is the man who nominated mi a hA and the advocates of Hughes generally want him to perform like service for the governor. Governor Black is generally regarded as committed to the Hughes movement, though he has not said so publicly. He and Senator Bracket had a conference late last week, presumably on this subject; 1t was followed immedi- ately by srumors that the Hughes league would work for the selection of Governor Black as one of the delegates at large. with the special intent of having him place the governors name before the na- tional convention.
 The State Committee.
 As for the republican state committee the situation has not yet developed suf- ficieritly to justify forecast. There has been much gossip about possible change in the chairmanship now occupied by for mer Lieutenant Governor Timothy l.. Woodruff of Brooklyn. The name most frequently mentioned In this connection is that of State Committeeman William Barnes, Jr., of Albany. But 1t Is not cer- tain that there will be any change. One of the factors contributing to the talk of a new chairman was the impression. widely prevalent, that the development of affairs was rapidly accruing to the polit- cal benefit of ex-Governor B. B. Odell, Jr., and tending to restore the prestige which he lost in his overwhelming defeat in the assembly speakership battle of two years ago.
 The abandonment during the past week of the conflict over the indorsement of Governor Hughes has dispelled much of the fear of destructive factional war fare within the republican party, and 1t Is a matter largely of opinion whether the opponents of Mr. Odell have forestalled at least for the present his return to impor- tant political influence.