The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-02
Roosevelt Now Central
Figure in New York
Politics.
PARTY LEADERS
TO FORCE HAND
Will Drag Him Into Fight Whe-
ther He Wants to Take Part or
Not-From State Politics to
National Arena Is 1nevit-
able step-He Explains
Recent Action.

Albany, N. Y. July Theodore
Roosevelt Is to be asked to get back
into the harness again. His decisive
defeat in both the Senate and the AS
senbly by the Republican organiza-
ton has created a situation which may
force him to take an active part in
the politics OF both the State and the
nation.
Almost before the gavel had banged
the end Of tho special session OF the
Legislature to-day, the members who
shared with him the lost cause OF pri-
mary legislation were planning to
make him leader OF the party in the
State, whether he wants to be or not.
They point to the fact that once he
plunges into the contest In the State.
he will be involved in the politics or
the nation. owing to the prominent part
which New York state Is expected to
play in the congressional campaign of
the fall.
The Republican organization moved
swiftly and smoothly to-day. finishing
in the Senate the work 1T began In the
Assembly. Less than two hours after
the Organization men had started up
Capitol Hill this morning they were
victorious, and were coming down
again. The Cobb direct nominations
bill. now known as the Roosevelt
bill,' was put 10 death with twenty
fve votes for 1t to nineteen against,
twenty-stx votes being necessary for
II to pass. The personality of Roose-
welt failed to shake ths set purpose
of the organization. and Roosevelt
sustained one of the few defeats OF
his career
Colonel Roosevelt's defeat was In no
| sense repudiation Of his leadership
or an indication that his power is on
| the wane. those who stood with him
say They had = majority of the Re-
publican votes ffy both branches of the
Legislature. and if was only by a CON-
bination with the Democrats that the
organization was able to win. Assem-
blyman Green said that he had already
begun preparations to carry the
| fight into the State convention.
Governor Hughes Is known to take q
hopeful view of the situation.
Roosevelt Explained.
| New York, July although silent
on his arrival here Colonel Roosevelt
told on the train while coming from
Eoston how he had been drawn into
the direct primary fight
81 had fully made up my min6 not
to interfere in any way with legislation
| pending before the extraordinary seE-
! sion of the Legislature" he said until
iI met Governor Hughes at Harvard.
He urged upon me the Importance OF
making some definite statement As to
how I stood on the direct primary bill
He told me that silence on my part
might be construed as indicating that
l was opposed to it
What have you to say regarding the
defeat Of the primary bill for which
you expressed approval?" the colonel
was asked.
Nothing now" he replied; at is not
my way to talk of such things"
Colonel Roosevelt explained clearly
Just what his attitude is toward Gov
ernor Hughes IT'S this way abou,
the Governor" he said. lie had been
reported that had directly asked hin,
to resign from the Supreme Court and
run again for Governor. That report
was manifestly false. I could not make
such request of man. I believe
Governor Hughes would be the ideal
candidate for the governorship, but !
could not so reflect upon, the dignity OF
the Supreme Court as to urge him tc
| give 1t up'