New-York tribune., 1910-03-09
ROOT POINTS THE
WAY FOR PARTY
SAYS HINNAN SHOULD
LEAD SENATE.
His AdJice PIeases Governor
Hughes, y hose Policies
Washington Supports.
rBy Telegraph to The Triouas

tBy Telegraph 70 The tribune
Albany. March S-Unitcd States Sem
ator Elihu Root. presumably rejecting
the wishes of President Taft. has taken
active charge OF the critical situation in
the Republican party in New york State.
Tonight. on the eve Of a conference OF
Republican Senators called TO elect a
successor 10 Senator Jotham P. Aids as
temporary President OF the Senate. sen
atcr Root sent a telegram to State Sen
ator Frederick NJ. Davenport, of Oneida
County, advocating the candidacy Of
Senator Harvey D. Hinman, of Bing-
'hamton. a stanch supporter Of the poll
oies of Governor Hughes. as against
Senator George a. Davis. of Buffalo. and
Senator George H. Cobb. of Watertovn.
rival aspirants for the leadership
The telegram was read at the confer
ence which earlier in the day seemed
likely 70 give Cobb a majority OF the
Republican votes for this Office. and
fell like a bombsheu thrown into the
rival camps of the Cobb and Davis rol-
lowers Its immediate effect was the
adjournment of this meeting without ac-
ton until Thursday night
An hour before it's receipt Senator
Root had called Senator Davenport on
the telephone from Washington. and at
that time was aware OF the plan Of the
Cobb men to hold a conference Tonight
to select a leader
Mr.. Roots telegram read:
Washington. March 8, 1910
"Hor. Frederick NJ. Davenport, Stats
Senate, Albany.
THE conditions attending the sclec-
tion of Republican leader in the state
Senate seem TO Justify an expression or
opinion regarding the proposed action as
a matter of general party policy. After
much careful inquiry and consideration,
am clearly OF the opinion that under
existing circumstances the selection OF
Senator Hinnnan is plainly indicated as
the only course which will present the
Republican party TO the people of ts,e
state in the true light, will correctly eN-
hibit the real relation of the party as a
whole to the principles and policies for
which Governor Hughes stands and will
rightly represent the wishes OF the voters
of the party. Any other action would, II
seems to me, be most unfortunate and
injurious.
at is my understanding that. while
Governor Hughes does not feel at liberty
TO interfere with an expression of his
opinion, his personal view regarding Mr..
Humans selection is similar 10 that
which have now expressed. ! have con-
suited with q considerable number of the
experienced and disinterested members
of our party in the state, and ! find a
uniform concurrence with the view which
have expressed. ! wish il distinctly
understood that this view involves no re-
Election whatever upon any of the other
gentlemen whose names have been men
fiopa1 OOSSIbla candidates.
~ should be glad to have you submit
these expressions for the consideration
of other Republicans at Albany.
"ELIHU ROOT
Bewildered and disorganized and al
most routed by the telegram from Sen
ator. Root, the supporters OF Senator
Cobbs candidacy are all at sea tonight.
Whether these Senators who are being
steered in their political policy by State
Chairman Woodruff. William Barnes.
jr., and other old guard leaders of pro-
nounCed reactionary type will surrender
when the caucus meets on Thursday
night TO the source of wisdom outlined
by Senator Root is extremely doubtful
at this time
Senator Roots telegram. ii is believed
here. was dictated only by a feeling that
the Woodruff Barnes combination was
determined to fight to the last against
everything, susceptible Of being desis-
mated as a Hughes bilI' or q progress
sive policy" beginning With this at
tempt TO regain control of the Senate
lost through the death or
John Raines.
The Cobb men had been at work all
day and were jubilant in the belief that
they had the votes and would be able
70 elect their man without difficulty
They knew nothing about the Root mes
sage when they entered the caucus
They were chuckling with III concealed
yIee at the Davis supporters. and 1eer-
ine, remarks about Senator Hinman az
"a. compromise candidate were sup
posed 20 be in order
Resent interference.
Senator Wainwright. a Cobb man. vas
.aNed to preside over the caucus. anC
Senator Emerson Field. leader of the
Cobb forces. TO act as secretary. AT
,nce Senator Brough. also violently Tor
Cobb. moved that the caucus proceed
20 choose a candidate for temporary
President Senator Allen. of Troy. Of
-ercd an amendment that action be post
,oned 10 Thursday night. and Senator
travis. of Brooklyn. who has rebelled
against the leadership CT state Chairman
Woodruff. seconded that amendment. At
this point the Root telegram was read
5y Senator Davenport.
Az once came "A storm OF debate SEN
ator Alt. Of Brooklyn. denounced this
on the part Of senator
Root and others at Washington. Sen
ators Gledhnl. Brough, Emerson and
Meade spoke against the motion to ad-
iourn TO Thursday. and through all their
speeches ran note OF protest against
Senator Roots position. Senator Daven-
port took UP the cudgels. in most Vigor-
Gus language. declaring his resentment
against any attempt To characterize Sen
ator Roots advice as interference" He
oredictc, dire disaster 10 the party if
that advice were not followed. Senator's
Allen. Brackett. Travis. Agnew. Hin.
Hewitt. Mackenzie and SChlcssev spoke
in favor of the motion 20 adjourn. The
motion was carried by a vote Of Is 10 l..
the Cobb men voting against il.
They we're Alt. 8 Brough. Burlingame,
Coates. Emerson. Gledhiu. Grattan. Hea-
-ock Holden. Kissel. Meade and Ratt.
Those who voted for the motion TO ad-