New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
SAYS STATE IS FOR TAFT
Republican Leaders Statement
Is Based on Careful Analysis.
SPEAKERSHIP FIGHT IS ON
Barnes and Ward Favor Merritt
and Plan to Nominate Sher-
man for Governor.

There is no doubt that New York state
will he for the denomination OF President
Taft At the proper time IT will he shown
that the friends Of the President are In
control of the organization. no matter
what YOU may hear 10 the contrary now.
This statement. coming from one Of the
big leaders in the Republican organization
was made yesterday after a careful an
slvsis Of the situation. IF there was
meeting Of the state committee to-mor-
row" he added, there would not be i've
members who would oppose a resolution
declaring for the denomination OF the
President"
II is probable that william Barnes, Jr.,
the chairman of the state committee, has
also been going over the situation and
sounding sentiment himself in the last
few days, for he said TO q caller yesterday:
Il am not opposed to Taft. l simply
want TO see him run on Republican plat
forrr by that mean a conservative plat
form that does not take up all the wild
ideas that are going around the country
these days"
This settlement was made to william II.
Daniels and John c. Wickser, two promi-
nent Republicans from the western part
Of the state. who came down TO tell the
chairman what they thought Of the in
cendiary uttersnces attributed TO him in
the last few days. Mr.. Wickser is a for
n1er state Treasurer and Mr.. Daniels is
a member of the state committee.
These men went further and told the
state chairman that it would never do 70
put , reactionary like Assemblvman Mer-
rift in the office Of Speaker of the Assem-
bly,. To that Mr.. Barnes replied that he
vas taking no active part in the selection
of Speaker. but was leaving that 10 the
Republican Assemblymen- elect However
that may be the state chairman recently
sent a letter 10 every one OF these men
asking them 10 call on him at their con-
venience.
As matter of fact. it Is shrewdly sus-
pected that the state chairman. with the
assistance of William Ward. Of West
chester, has cleverly stirred up the talk
about Taft and Roosevelt for the purpose
Of frightening the Taft men into abandon
ing their opposition to the selection OF
Merritt as Speaker; Assemblyman Young,
OF West Chester. as floor leader. and Will
lam H. Ten Eyck, an old guard" leader
1T New 1O1h county, dS ClSi n. t'dIii'S noo
heard. it was said. that the President had
indicated that he did not think it was wise
TO elect Merritt Speaker.
The main thing Ward and Barnes and
other members Of the old guard are in
terested in besides organizing the Assem-
bly,, 1t was said. was bringing about
situation where they could nominate and
elect Vice President Sherman for Governor
next fall With that in mind possibly, they
have been talking about Justice Charles Z.
Hughes for the Presidential nomination,
declaring he was the man who would be
sure 10 carry this state. To those who re-
membered how the odd guard did every
thing i'm their power to block Justice
Hughes when he was Governor. the talk
Of his nomination for President was
astounding
Friends OF Mr.. Barnes smiled at the re-
port that he had sent word to Theodore
Roosevelt, either directly by letter or in
directly through 81 mutual friend, that the
state chairman was ready TO get back OF
the former President for denomination
if Mr.. Roosevelt would give assurances
that he would be safe and sane 1t was
intimated that this ridiculous story came
from some one who was interested in the
effect It might have on the situation.
Mr. Roosevelt ostensibly devoted himself
yesterday to his editorial duties at the
offices OF THE Outlook" but obviously
some of his callers were there on other
than literary missions. Among them was
Clifford Pinchot, who recently came out for
the nomination Of Senator La Toilette Mr..
Pnchot had nothing to say in regard 10
his visit Mr. Roosevelt said he did not
care 10 discuss politics in any Of its phases.
President Taft will be I'm the city on
Tuesday to attend several dinners, and
many of the Leaders will seek the oppor-
tunity Of going over the situation.