New-York tribune., 1911-01-15
PRENTICE WILL RESIGN
Head of Republican State Com
mittee Gives Notice.
WRITES LETTER TO K0ENIG
Did Not Plan to Retain Place
After Recent Campaign
Ended, He Says.

Ezra r. Prentice. chairman Of the Re-
rubiican State Committee. has given no.
tice that at a meeting called for this city
on Saturday he will present his resigna-
ton.
Samuel g. Koenig, former Secretary OF
State and a member OF the state commit
tee, received a letter from Mr. Prentice
esterday afternoon in which this an
nouncement was made.
Mr.. Prentice had luncheon as the guest
OF President Taft in Washington on Thurs
day. when. Il is believed. he told the Presi
dent OF his intention TO lay down the chair
marship and the question OF his successor
was discussed.
IIoyd G. Griscom, president OF the New
York County Republican Committee, VINO
was largely responsible for the selection
Of Mr. Prentice as chairman of the state
committee following the last state conVeh-
ton. said last night that Mr.. Prentice had
talked over his decision TO resign with MN
and other friends. So far as Mr.. Griscoh
knew there was no other reason for MI
Prentice's resignation than that he did not
feel able to devote the time necessary 10
/ the work.
| 'Mr. Prentice has rendered admirable
party service" said Mr.. Griscom. He took
/ UP his office at short notice, and then, IN
the face OF unusual difficulties carried on
a canraign with credit 70 himself ana
his party. Tie fact that he has deter
mir ed TO lay down his Office will be gen
orally regretted by those who have workeo
with him and who have learned TO apprs-
ciate his character and ability.
Mr. Koenig speaking OF the fact that tho
! personal friends OF Mr.. Prentice han osen
aware of his determination 10 lay down the
| Craftsmanship for some time, said tnat ms
reasons were such that 1t was diricuit 10
conceive how he could be asked to con-
tinue in office against his wishes
He asserted that the election of a sue
cessor was a matter or great lmporlance
TO the party, but that personally, ne nho
no idea who would be chosen. Tnat. ne
declared. was a matter which would De ae-
termined at the meeting called py M''
Prentice 10 consider his resignation. Co..
| Among those who are being talkec OF Ior
the chairmanship are Congressman NiinAin
| NJ. Calder of Brooklyn Naval Of1cer r. j.
n. Kracke. OF Brooklyn. Congressman ..
Sloat Fassett OF Elmira, and Congressman
| Edward 3. Vreeland. OF Salamanca.
Mr. Prent.ces letter was as follows;
Az YOU doubtless know, / did not seek
TO be chairman OF the state coHiIilLoe,
ON the only two occasions wnen IL Was
suggested to me 1 salo Couiu hoi ah"i"
/ When the committee elected me l did
not know 1t intended TO do so, and had 70
decide whether | could accept "a deciHon
involving my resignation as Deputy Attor"
new General and the postponement OF I'M
! portant personal matters) after tne com,
mittee had acted and while ~ wateoi
said when told OF my election; that !
could plan 20 remain chairman only duriAs
the campaign. -
The party had then delayed for a week
Il. dan Tb.a m
what would evidently be the most diflcnit
campaign in many years. No preparauons
had been made for u no plans 4, Ior,nce onca
and as you had chosen me chalrman' l
believed it my duty 10 accept reslsnse s'
Deputy Attorney General imneaia'eayii nn ayi
postponed personal matters ana gave a'
my time TO the campaign
When II was ended L was under nnancial
obligations for money spent by the conf
rrittee in the campaign ana the comphll-
fee had a deficit, and felt a further duty
TO remain chairman until those depts We're
paid. Now they are paid, and 1eeI ina
Its emergency, / can now properly ask you
to release me. -,
Since election day have not been able,
through lack Of time, and so nave not at
tonpted to act in many matters that
should have the attention or state chalr-
man. Ny law practice requires my WhQle
time and am not Wiling 10 remain char =
man nor will you wish me 10 90 So as L
am unable to give TO the work the atten-
tJon II should have. I SHALL therefore. at
the meeting have called, tender my resis-
nation as chairman OF the Repuohcan
state Committee.
! / wish again to thank you for the honor
you did me- and 10 express personally 10
the members of the state committee and 20
the Republicans who worked with me IN
i This campaign my appreciation OF their
Kindness, their help and their loyalty,
which | feel far more deeply than can
readily tell.
Mr.. Prentice told last night OF having
consulted President Taft and Colonel
Roosevelt in regard TO his resignation. He
said:
II returned from Washington on Thurs
day. after having a talk with President
Taft. also had conference with Colonel
Roosevelt and a number OF upstate Lead
ers. All agreed that the chairmanship
would be a hard uphill fight for az least
two years and needed man who would De
able 10 harmonize all factions Of the party.
Such a task would require practically all
Of the chairman's time. and am not able
10 give the Office the attention II needs