New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-01
MIR. COBB MAY LEAD
WOODRUFFS CHOICE.
Senators Meade and White
Control the Situation.
by Telegraph to The Tribune. !

Senator George II. Cobb, of WATERFOWL
for the majority leadership to succeed
lothian P Aids, that tonight he runs alb
solutely even with Senator George A.
Davis, of Buffalo, who on Friday seemed
virtually elected. And two Monroe Sena-
tors-Meade and Whte-appear to control
the situation.
Neither Davis nor Cobb tonight knows
vi ether he will be the choice of the Re-
publican Senators a. the caucus tomorrow
night. 1t is significant that at this juncture
men who for years have been part of the
Republican state organization are confident
that Cobb will be the victor. 1t is likewise
significant that State Chairman Woodruff s
influence is now behind Cobb. just as it was
behind Aids at the beginning of the legis-
lative session.
In other words, the election of tenn
porary president appears to have become
the immediate feature in the fight of the
''old guard to regain control of the legis-
latve and political situation which has
been badly damaged by the Aids bribery
case. Davis has the support of almost all
the men considered Hughes adherents.
Cobbs candidacy is being advanced by men
whc have fought Governor Hughes and his
policies at every turn. although all his sup
porters are not of this stripe
Say Buffalo Has Everything.
The Ostensible reason for the bitter OPP
position TO Speaker Davis just now is that
Buffalo has everything" Davis is second
man on the Rules committee and chairman
of Judiciary HILL his colleague, is chair
man of the Finance Committee. But the
real reason is said to be that Senator
Davis will stand for a general investiga-
of oil tor.
Cobb early in the Aids case took a deter
mined stand for a real probing of that
affair to the very bottom. but Senators
who are working for Davis maintain that
Cobb would be BILE to influences now
at work to stave off the desired general
inquiry.
However, indications point to a broader
reason for the political support now being
given to Senator Cobb by State Chairman
Woodruff and other "oid guardsmen.' -
Cobb has been opposed to the direct
primary proposition and other measures of
Governor Hughes and is acceptable to this
element IN that account. He is clean per-
sonally and an able legislator which to a
large extent would disarm criticism of him.
He has been for many years part of the
Jefferson County Republican organization.
There was persistent report tonight
that there was understanding between
Cobb and lothian P. Aids that Cobb, if
elected temporary president, would resign
and allow Aids TO be reelected if Aids
should be indicated of the bribery charge
on which he now is on trial. Cobb's friends
deny this Indignantly.
IF Cobb is elected he will be temporary
president and nobody else Will run him or
dictate to him. declared one Cobb man.
trial for bribery. Woodruff now supports
Cobb. That. if nothing else. would deter
mine my attitude" countered a Davis sup
porter.
Neither candidate was loquaciou tonight.
I'm contented at the prospect" said
Senator Cobb. My friends think they have
votes enough to elect me.
when | returned to town this after
noon" said Senator Davis. 4 found that
State Chairman Woodruff had been at
work, with the result that enough strength
has been developed for Senator Cobb to
make the outcome uncertain. 1 think
fifteen men are absolutely certain to vote
for me, and there are several others whom
my friends count as doubtful, who are not
strong believers in the political policy of
the state chairman.
Efforts have been made BY some Senator's
to get Fred Greiner. the Erie County Re
publican leader. to take part in the fight
for Davis. They say he declined absolutely
to interfere in the Senate situation, saying
that he wouldn't play politics of this kind
a a time when the fate of the Republican
party was at stake.
Travis Pledged to Davis.
Chairman Woodruff will be unable to de-
liver an unbroken delegation to Cobb. Sen
ator Travis who voted for Aids, has
pledged himself TO Senator Davis. Travis
was a Davis advocate during the Aids Hin
man contest. On the other hand. Senator
Brough, of New York. is an ardent Cobb
supporter. declaring that Cobb is a better
Hughes man than Davis, and the ablest
lawyer in the Senate. Brough broke away
from the so-caIled insurgent caucus and
went into the Aids caucus at the beginning
of the session.
Barnes, of Albany County, who is stand
ing with Woodruff and Wadsworth, has
handed Senator Grattan over to Cobb Sen
ator Allen, of Troy. who has voted as d
Hughes man on almost every occasion
though it is said to be rather against his
own willis committed to Cobb. Several
Senators-among them Wainwright, Hea-
cock and Griffith-are distinctly doubt
full, although they are counted by the Davis
men as among the Cobb supporters. SEN
tors Wainwright and Heacock have told
their friends they thought temporary
president should be elected at this time.
Friends of Governor Hughes in the Leg
islature are much exercised at the outlook.
They say that il the ''old guard combina-
ton nov urging the election of Cobb OBJ
tains control of the upper house 1t will be
able with the assistance of Speaker Wads-
worth, to kill off the Hughes legislation
and stop a general housekeeping and legiS-
alive investigation. Senator Davis ma
iorty leader. they argue. could he depend
ed upon to do all in his power to bring
about a complete probing of legislative cor
ruption, to be followed by a proper house
cleaning and the passage of the Hughes
legislative programme In general. This they
believe because of the sentiments of Fred
Greiner, his leader, and the attitude OF Sen
ator Davis's own constituents.
TO ABOLISH AQUEDUCT BOARD.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune.l