The Washington herald., 1910-03-09

Elihu Root assumed the leadership OF
the Republican party Of New York yes
terday, when he addressed telegram to
Senator Davenport, at Albany, declaring
that under no circumstances should the
Republicans OF the State senate name as
their spokesman any one recognized as
unfriendly TO Gov. Hughes. Mr.. Roots
telegram protested against the selection
of Senator Cobb as leader Of the senate
TO succeed lothian T. Aids, and further
gave notice that il was the opinion Of Mr..
Root and his colleagues in the New York
delegation that Senator Harvey d. Hin
man should be lntrusted with the duties
of leadership in the upper house Of the
legislature
Mr.. Roots action in forwarding a tele-
gram to Albany suggesting that the SEN
ate Republicans name some one as leader
known to be in harmony with the Hughes
administration is the first step in the
direction OF party reorganization in New
York. It means, in the first place. that
the Woodruff Barnes combination is
doomed, that the new organization is to
uphold the hand Of Gov Hughes. and
that every available force is TO be put
to work to the end that order shall sue
coed chaos, If present plans are carried
out. those Republicans who refuse TO
accept the new dispensation viii have to
quit the organization.
Time for Action Had Come.
Political conditions in the State have
been the subject OF many conferences
among New York Republicans OF late.
and it was decided at a meeting held
yesterday that the time had come for
Senator Root 10 act. Mr. Root told his
colleagues that he was reluctant 10 ap-
pear as leader; but he aequiesced when
he was told frankly that the time had
come when a strong hand should be
laid on the situation in New York in
order that party disaster might be
averted.
Mr. Roots action in suggesting a
course OF procedure to the senate Re
publicans In Albany viii be followed by
other important developments While
the Federal group In Washington has no
disposition 20 dictate the conduct of az
fairs at the State capital, they believe
that in the present emergency they have
a certain proscriptive duty to perform
Accordingly. It will be impressed upon
the Albany leaders that nothing shall
be done Ia either house OF the leglsla-
ture that would look like an effort on
the part Of Republicans 20 'whitswash'
any charges OF scandal that may be
brought up for discussion. No proposal
viii be made looking TO an inquiry ex-
tending into acts Of the past. The be-
lief prevails here. however. that II
charges OF bribery are made affecting
present-day legislation that they should
be made the subject OF inquiry.
Woodruff May Step Down.
It Is the general expectation that be-
fore many days have passed Timothy l.
Woodruff, Of Brooklyn, will announce his
retirement from the Office OF Republican
state chairman. There is no disposition
en- the part OF the New York Republicans
to force Mr.. Woodruff out. but It is felt
that his close affiliaton with William
Barnes, ir., Gov. Hughes bitterest foe,
makes It impossible for him to Identify
himself with an organization that is de-
termined 10 support the governor.
Il was only when the conviction was
forced upon him that party success at
the polls would be 1eopardized unless
heroic measures We're adopted 20 uplift
the Republican leadership in New York
did Mr.. Root consent TO more actively
Identify himself with the management or
political affairs IN the State II was
pointed out that for the past two years
The Republican leadership In the state
had been at odds with the Hughes ad-
ministration. and that the selection Of
Aids. which was disapproved by NIr.
Root and other Republicans In Washing
ton, was brought about largely by Barnes
and Woodruff. the latter actuated by
enmity OF the governor.