The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-13

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New York.
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New York. February 12.-fSpecial. 1.-TWO
OF the biggest special doctors of the re-
publican party were gathered here today
With the New York state leaders, and for
time the state committee on repairs lis
tened to sound advice from the lips of
President Taft and Governor Hughes.
Nominally a reception was held in the
residence of Lloyd C. Griscom. former
ambassador to Italy, now chairman of the
republican county committee the purpose
being to allow President Taft to meet and
talk with the New York state leaders.
Strictly speaking, it was a conference.
Taking advantage of Lincoln day. the
President seized the opportunity to come
into New York state in person and direct
what shall be done to save the republican
party from annhilation. 1t was heralded
as a great opportunity, and 1t was uni
versaly believed that the President would
rot alone sound the keynote of regenera-.
ton in his speech, but that he would allay
all fears that might be felt In the financial
district by reterating his attitude and
the attitude Of his administration toward
the trusts.
| In coming to New York today President
Taft forestalls former President Roose-
| volts party work in New York. Leaders
believe that the President wants every
treak in the republican fences in the
state repaired before the strenuous one
arrives home late in June. This answers
the double purpose of stealing thunder
from the Back From Eiba' movement
and at the same time starts the repair
work without delay. Recognizing the
woeful plight of republicansm in the Em-
pire state, President Taft saw the neces-
slty of taking instant action.
No Time to BE Lost
Both he and the big leaders In the state
united in tacit understanding that no time
could be lost. New York thus becomes
the seat of the first presidential aid The
President will have occasion to go to
Chicago next month, which will take him
through the other doubtful states of Ohio
and Indiana. If the remotest opportunity
| to speak in these states Is given It re-
! ouires no delphic oracle to predict that the
| opportunity will be seized.
When President Taft and Governor
Hughes met at the Griscom residence this
afternoon the background presented an
ensemble of the willing workers. The
personnel of the guests at the reception"
was conspicuously contrasted by the alb
| sence OF William Barnes, Jr., of Albany,
one of the biggest of the upstate leaders
and the man credited with directing the
| efforts of the republican organization
against Governor Hughes. This indicated
that DR.. Taft was ready to allow the reign
OF power in New York to rest with the
Hughes contingent. Affairs have been SO
ed fr1 Etufn lUh toal afx~
| cumstances that Governor Hughes seems
the only one who can swing victory to the
| republican standard next fall. With the
| defeat of Otto Barnard, the republican
| candidate for mayor In this city long
series OF republican misfortunes have elf.
NAKED in the Conger-Allds bribery scam
| 6al. This scandal In no wise affects tho
| administration OF Governor Hughes, but
| IL does show UP some republican states
men in New York in a most unfavorable
| light.
Agreement with Hughes
| 1t is understood that the President
| leclared heartily in favor of Governor
| Hughes attitude toward the bribery scam
| dal. The state executive has evidenced
a disposition to stand aloof from the as.
sembly episode. He neither fears the eff.
eet of the outcome on the party nor
| loes he desire a whitewash. He wants
| the thing sifted and threshed with the
guilty persons punished for the part they
| took.
Treasoni Treasonv' mutter some of
| he old-time craftsmen in politics, but
| Governor Hughes realizes that his fol-
| lowing In personnel, that his sctrength
| does not lie in a close combine of lead
ers
| While New Yorw was the center of ma
| tiolal politics today and while the atten-
| ton of President Taft's callers was d.
rected most vitally to this state never
| tleless there were side issues bearing up
on the general situation. The moral effect
of democratic victory In New York state
was discussed. The coming of Colonel
| oosevelt was touched upon In sad and
soto voiced argument. The broad effect
ipoa the democrats here by republican de-
| feats in Indiana and Ohio give another
issue to the discourse. II was the
.pinion of several that. with apparent VIC
| tnry in New York. the fight would be
| ing conditions seem to prevail here
Element of Rejoicing
| A secret element of rejoicing was felt
over the apparent lassituds of the DEM
oerats. A jaded laugh once and while
greeted the name of William j. Connors,
| democratic state chairman, or that of
Charles Murphy.
| The aspect OF political affairs here to-
day made 1t evident that the Hughes-Taft
| combine will do the necessary work In the
Empire state with little grace for the
upstate leaders,. Mr.. Griscom Collector
Loeb, Robert c. Morris. president Of the
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