New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-24
WOODRUFF'S POWER GONE
His Resignation as Leader IN
Brooklyn No Surprise.
ONLY COURSE LEFT FOR HIM
A Roosevelt Victory at the Chi.
cago Convention Might Have
Saved Him.

Wv ~ 100000
The resignation Of Timothy l. Woodruff
as leader Of the Republican organization in
BROOKLYN was not received yesterday by
Reuben l. Haskell, secretary Of the Kings
County Committee, but Mr. Haskell will
probably get It this morning. When word
came to the secretary that the resignation
was on its way TO him he was out Of town
and could not be reached for an expression
of opinion. Owing to the peculiar state Of
afairs that has existed among the Repub-
lean politicians of Kings for the last few
days it is difficult TO predict the disposl.
ton that the organization will make Of the
letter.
Whether or not the resignation is accept
cd ii marks the end Of Mr.. Woodruff S
power in the county. The former Lieuten-
ant Governors espousal Of the Roosevelt
cause was his last trump card. When he
left his bailiwick every one knew that he
was practically down and out" politically
and that only a Roosevelt victory would
save him. He was compelled through q
variety of causes 10 stand or fall with the
ex-PTesident He did just what he was
expected to do-the only thing he had left
him to do-and fate was against him, but
it would have been against him just as
surely II he had not made his last big
venture.
1t was about fifteen years ago that Mr..
Woodruff took up the leadership Of the Re-
publicans Of Kings County but ii was not
Ia -
power set in that he had harmonious or
ganization behind him. 1t was his desire
TO become a United States Senator but his
ambition was made unattainable by his
disposition TO compromise. Time and again
he stepped aside for some other man when
iirmness might have given him the place he
coveted. Through his long fight money was
chiefly instrumental in maintaining him in
the county leadership. The money was his
own, and he spent it lavishly
The growth of his business interests was
responsible for the decline of his influence.
few years ago, after he had whipped
Michael j. Dady in a fight for the county
leadership and became without rival, the
absentee leadership talk had already be-
gun. More and more the management Of
the organization was left TO his lieutenants,
John r. Smith. his private secretary and
the secretary of the organization. and Jacob
Bremen, chairman Of the executive com
mittee Still he continued I'm power.
The first big blow at his standing came IN
the spring of 1910, when President Taft de-
cided that he was not the proper person
10 act as chairman of the state commit
tee He sent Senator Root to Mr. Woodruff
and demanded that he resign. Governor
Charles T.. Hughes was opposed to him and
his "old guard" methods. He promised TO
get out at the close OF his term.
When Colonel Roosevelt came back from
Africa Mr. Woodruff was instrumental IN
stirring up a great demonstration for him
and expected to get his support, but the
ex-President joined with President Taft and
Governor Hughes in opposing him. In the
fall at the state convention the colonel
made an open fight against Mr.. Woodruff
and whipped him. William Barnes became
the chairman of the state committee and
Mr. Woodruff returned to Kings County
with blasted hopes.
Colonel Dady and other former enemies
made overtures TO Colonel Roosevelt, and
Mr. Woodruff saw his organization going
10 pieces under his eyes. At the time he
became deeply involved in real estate in the
vicinity Of Hampstead. Long Island. He
sold his Brooklyn home, retaining only
legal residence at the Montauk Club, and
made Sherrys his permanent city stopping
place. His country home was at Garden
CITY. He was scarcely ever seen at Repub-
ucan headquarters, in the Temple Bar
Building.
The dissatisfaction and disaffecion OF
IN, 14ll.
CONGRESSMAN William NJ. Calder. Naval Of
fcer F. J. II. Kracke and Colonel Dady
met Mr.. Woodruff at Republican head
quarters and told him that sixteen or seven
teen Of the twenty-three district leaders
had come to- the conclusion that the inter-
ests of the county organization required
his withdrawal from its management At
first he was inclined to fight, but his
pressing business interests forbade that so
he got out
Steering Committee Formed.
Then confusion came For a time the
county leadership was untitled. Mr.. Kracke
and Mr.. Calder divided its powers unof-
Acially. large campaign committee was
appointed, with Mr. Calder at its head. and
waged a successful campaign through the
effects Of the judiciary scandal. This made
Mr.. Calder the biggest man in the organi-
gation. After the campaign steering COM
mittee was appointed to take over the
powers Of county leader. It was made up
OF Mr.. Calder, Mr.. Kracke Jacob Bremen,
Marcus B. Campbell, chairman Of the ex-
ecutive committee, and Jacob 4. Living
ston, leader Of the 22d Assembly District.
Confusion grew with the scramble for
patronage, and politicians began 70 sigh for
the return of Mr. Woodruff Early this
year the county committee formally elected
him chairman. and afterward at tho re-
organization meeting Of the executive COM
mittee HIS election was made unanimous.
He had hardly returned before the rumor
spread that he was Roosevelt agent.
For weeks before the convention it was
rumored that he would come out for tho
colonel at the psychological moment, but
this was denied. When he did turn against
Mr.. Taft he only did what he had been ex-
pected TO DO. His resignation was consid-
cred in Brooklyn last night az only for
NAL move