Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12
COBB VICTORY BLOW At ROOT
Man Opposed by Senator, Governor
and Taft Succeeds Aids.
TELEGRAM HELD TO BE MISTAKE
interference OF Root and Hughes De
oIared 60 Have United Local Leg
isIative Leaders-Partial Tri-
umph for woodruff.

ALBANY, N. Y. March n.-George II
Cobb OF watertown will succeed lothian
p. Aids as president pro tenn OF the SEN
ate. The telegram which United States
Senator Ellhu Root sent from Washington
urging the election Of Senator Harvey d.
Human Of Binghamton, the appeal In
Humans behalf by Governor Hughes at
the eleventh hour and the Influence Of the
federal administration at Washington
proved unavailing against the organization
forces headed by Chairman Timothy L.
woodruff Of the republican state commit
tee.
Cobb was named as the choice OF the ma
jority at a conference Of the senators which
began shortly after s o'clock last night
and did not end until an early hour today.
On the f~orty-ninth ballot two OF the sup
porters OF senator George A.. Davis Of Buff
falo deserted for Cobb, who throughout
the balloting had fourteen votes. Seven
teen were necessary for a choice. With
victory in his grasp, Cobb stepped into the
gap with a ballot for himself and won
the coveted goal. Human was the choice
Of thirteen, while Davis, who at the be-
! ginning mustered nine votes, had only
three to his credit at the finish.
Although ostensibly Cobb's victory, it is
a triumph for State Chairman Woodruff,
and the state organization, the beaten side,
declares that Woodruff's influence was
less responsible for what happened than
the will Of the Individual senators.
Roots Telegram n Mistake.
Viewing the battle-ground some Of them
confessed today that senator Root had
made a mistake in conveying his orders to
elect Human in so open a manner The
| n.ktt.ta,, ,i,rnn Doottg NaI,graVo ~ T,,Aa1aty
night was intentional: its object was to
show the people Of the state that affairs at
Albany were most unsatisfactory to the
party leaders and to Governor Hughes, and
that there must be q new deal. The state
senator's, however, bitterly resented dicta-
ton that might discredit their own impor-
lance and authority with their constituents.
Ever since Governor Hughes took office
an effort has been made to break up the
coalition Of the old local bosses. How well
this effort succeeded was one OF the things
shown by Cobb's election. Having de-
stroyed the power OF some of the county
and district leaders the administration at
Washington found itself without means to
reach the state senators. The local lead
ers who have retained their power rallied
around Woodruff ana Cobb was chosen,
not so much because the organization con-
sidered him an ideal candidate as because
he was the weapon with which to defeat
Root and the governor. How much Cobb's
victory has gained for the old regime is
difficult to settle.
Whether 1t has strengthened the grip OF
Chairman Woodruff to the extent of as.
surfing his reelection is a proposition few
of the senators today felt ready to affirm
Cobb before his election endangered. to de-
clare his freedom from Woodruff and his
) absolute lack Of obligation to Senator
AlldB. In his statement yesterday he az
firmed his accord with Senator, Root Rht
the governor, although he, deprecated thu
formers interference in the leadership
l fight. His friends say that he will los,
no time In debating his loyalty to the gov
{ ernor, for even in their hour Of victor!
> the Organization men admit that Hughes
[ is the party's greatest asset in this state.
! Alarm at Warrington.
I WASHINGTON, March n.-Yice Presi
= dent Sherman and Representative McKin
' ley. chairman OF the republican congress
j slonal committee, are evidently disturbed
y by the developments in the republican
r caucus at Albany last night. Together the!
, called to see President Taft today and Will,
waiting in the ante-room M. Sherman
j whose expressions seemed to have beef
endorsed by Representative Mckinley, II
Q commenting on the caucus said:
il Il was not pleased with the selection IRE
n ferring to Cobb as president pro tenn t
e succeed Allds)
It The other selection meaning Human
It would have meant plain sailing for the cam
h palgn with no clouds or squalls in tn
way. I would not say that the course o
events complexities matters, but 1t c~ertainl,
disturbs them"