The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-09
ROOT TAKES HAND
IN STATE POLITICS
Senator Throws Bomb Into Re-
publican Camp.
THE SLATE rs BROKEN
to Elect Cobb to Succeed Aids
When Root Tells Them to
Elect Human.

Albany, n. Y, March S.-United
States Senator Elihu Root, presumably
reflecting the wishes of President Tart,
has taken active charge of the crit
ical situation in the republican party in
New York state. Tonight, on the eve
of a conference of republican senators,
called to elect a successor to Sena-
tor j. P. Aids as temporary pres
ident of the senate, Senator Root sent
a telegram 10 State Senator Frederick
Nj. Davenport, cating the candid
acy of Senator Harvey d. Human Of
Binghamton, a staunch supporter of
the policies of Governor Hughes as
against Senator George A. Davis of
Buffalo and Senator George H. Cobb of
Watertown, rival aspirants for the
Leadership.
The telegram was read at the con-
ference which earlier in the day
seemed likely to give Cobb a major
ity of the republican votes for this Of
fee. Its immediate effect was the adj
journment of the conference without
action until Thursday night.
Both Cobb and Davis have been re-
garded heretofore as among the sena-
tors opposed to the governors policies.
While the governor has given no
public expression of his opinion on the
question of the leadership he has all
lalong favored the election of Senator
Human and he expressed satisfaction
tonight that Senator Root had interest
ed himself in the situation.
Senator Elihu Roots telegram, dated
Washington. today, reads:
1.-The conditions attending the selec-
tion Of a republican leader in the state
senate seem to Justify an expression
of opinion regarding the proposed ac-
ton as matter of general party pol
icy. After much careful inquiry and
consideration 1 am clearly of the opin-
ion that under existing circumstances
the selection of Senator Human is
plainly Indicated as the only course
which will present the republican party
to the people of the state in the true
light, will consequently exhibit the
real return of the party as whole
to the principles and policies for which
Governor Hughes stands and will right
ly represent the wishes of the voters of
the party.
ANY other action, it would seem to
me, would be unfortunate and injurious.
1t is my understanding that while Gov
ernor Hughes does not feel at liberty
to interfere with an expression of his
opinion, his personal view regarding
Mr.. Humans selection is similar to
that which l now have expressed.
81 have conferred with considerable
number of the experienced and dis
interested members of our party in
the state and 1 find tile uniform con-
currence with the view which L have
expressed.
Il wish it distinctly understood tha
this view involves no reflection what
soever upon any of the other gentle
men whose names have been mentioned
as possible candidates. / should be
glad to have you submit these express
sions for the consideration of Other
readers at Albany"
The telegram fell like bomb thrown
into the rival camps of the Cobb and
Davis followers.
Senator Human was one of the seven
so-called 'insurgent" senators who re-
fused to saction the election of SEN
ator Aids as president protein at the
beginning OF the session and who, at
that time, was receptive candidate.
Senators Cobb and Davis were also
The resignation of Aids from the
temporary presidency during the pres-
ent investigation into the bribery
charges started anew the race for the
leadership between Cobb and Davis,
Human as before making no effort to
gain the place. Chairman Woodruff
began an active campaign to secure
the election of Cobb and a week ago
tonight conference was called to dis
cuss the question of leadership. l.
was agreed that action at that time
might be taken by the public as . pre-
Judgment in the Aids case and the con-
ference adjourned
The rivalry grew keener during the
week eliminating today in another at
tempt of the Cobb men to bring abou,
an election Seventeen senator's
signed call for d conference tonight
with the assurance that Cobbs' cleo
ton was practically certain. Then
came the Root telegram which upset
the carefully laid plans, and by vote
of IS to 12 action was again deferred
until Thursday night.