New-York tribune., 1910-03-09
ROOT CAUSES Joy
HAIL HIN 4S LEADER.
Gnscom Says He Wetcomes
Step Senator Has Tdken.

| There was general rejoicing among tne
progressive members of the local Repupn-
can organization last night when II was
| learned that Senator Root had stepped INTO
| the breach and indicated solution OF the
! tange in which the party had got o'ei
the selection of majority leader III tue
state Senate. They saw in his action more
than a mere expression of opinion as 10
who should receive the honor.
1t indicated to them that Senator ROOT
had consented TO accept the reins OF STATE
leadership and direct the party orgah'zd-
ton through the troubles besetting H. Inc
general approval OF his suggestion that IN
the present crisis the best action 10 take
lay in the direction of supporting the Gov
ernor TO The fullest extent was an indica-
ton OF the change that has taken place IN
the views of some Of the local leaders
Il heartily concur with Senator Root IN
the admirable exposition of his views,
said Lloyd c. Griscom, president or the
New York County Committee, when the
message of Senator Root was shown 10
him. Mr. Griscom said he did not wish to
comment at greater length on the sunJect
last night.
1t was decided at the conference not oh'y
that Senator Harvey d. Hinman. as an
exponent of the Hughes policies, was the
man to place in the state Senate leader
ship, but also that Senator Root should as
sumo the leadership of the party in the
state at this time.
1t seemed to be generally taken for grant
ed that the expression Of opinion or many
of the state leaders as stated by Senator
Root would settle the leadership OF the
Senate for Senator Iinman.
That is fine news" said Collin III. Wood
ward, vice president OF the County Commit
tee, when the message of Senator Root TO
Senator Davenport was read to him. That
will straighten things out and will give us
a chance. To have Senator Root step in
and lead at this time is just what is need
ed. 1t was no time TO mince words or go
halfway. Some strong personality had 10
come 10 the front. and it was high time
that Senator Root took the action he did.
His action came just at the right time. 1t
was a situation that required drastic treat
ment and could not be met by evasive
measures
There is not the slightest doubt but that
the great majority of the organization III
this county will stand behind Senator Root.
We are proud of the part that Mr.. Griscom
the new head of our organization, has
taken in this delicate matter. 1t has shown
that he has the highest powers of leader
ship
President Griscom, since the first hour of
his leadership has busted himself III get
ting in touch with the leaders, not alone
OF the local organization, but also Of the
state. His first hit was the conference
which he arranged among President Taft,
Governor Hughes, Senator Depew, Chair
man Woodruff of the State Committee,
"a Of 10 AScau1blV n
Otto T. Barnard That indicated clearly
jIst where each OF these party leaders
stood In regard to the conditions that. con
fronted the Republican party in this state.
| Since that time Mr.. Ciriscom has been
working not only TO insure thorough in
vestigation at Albany, but also to place the
party in the position Of standing Loyalty by
| the Governor and his programme of re-
forms
Chairman Woodruff, of the State Com
mittee, went to OwcSo yesterday afternoon
With the body Of ex-senator Platt. Those
who read the message of Senator Root de
clared that in assuming leadership at this
time the Senator had, with the concur
renee of the state leaders. who had con-
ferred with him in Washington, served
notice on the state chairman to take a
back seat.
There is no disposition on the part of
these men to force any issue between him
and them in the state Committee. They
take the position at this time that it would
be better to permit him TO serve out his
term a. state chairman, which expires with
the September state convention. But they
wish him 10 understand that higher coun-
ellis than his have taken control Of the
party at this critical time. All they ask is
that he make no attempt to block those
who are determined TO rid the party of all
suspicion of having anything to conceal