New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-16
REPUBLICANS TO HAVE
AN OPEN CONVENTION
Barnes Warns Leaders Against
Any Attempt to Put
Through Slate.
MANY FOR GOVERNORSHIP
State Chairman Says All He
Wants Is Real Party Man
Named at Saratoga
Next Week.

Every indication points to a free and
open convention at Saratoga week from
Wednesday, when the Republicans meet
TO nominate a state ticket and frame a
platform for the fall campaign. Rarely
before has It happened that there has
been so little of programme for state
convention only ten days before 1t meets
The idea Of William Barnes, jr-one
that he has taken pains TO spread around
among all the leaders in the state-is that
there must not be the slightest attempt
on their part to frame or put through a
slate They are going to Saratoga with
open minds, ready to listen to the claims
of any one who aspires TO go on the TICK
ct or the arguments of others who believe
they know who would make the strongest
run before the people.
There has been no Capitalization of SEN
timent on behalf OF any one man for the
Guvernorship nomination. Several candi-
dates for the honor have been appealing
TO the people. each in his own way, for
some time. Each has developed strength
I'm certain sections of the state. but none
stands out pre-eminently as the one man
who most likely would prove a winner at
the polls.
These candidates are William S. Bennett
former Congressman, who aspired TO run
for Governor two years ago, and did have
most of the delegates from New YORK
County with him at Saratoga; James W.
Wadsworth. jr.. former Speaker OF the
Assembly. and Job e. Hedges, who has
been well known for his political actiyl-
ties for many years.
TO the list of those who are aspirants
for the nomination should be added Eg-
bert c. Woodbury.. Of jamestown former
State Tax Commissioner who has an
nounced his candidacy, but so tar mas
made no active canvass. 1t has been gen
orally supposed that Frederick {. stevens
of Attica, superintendent OF FuOlc
Works under Governor Hughes, Woulu
be a candidate for the nomination, put ne
announced the other day that he had no
desire to run this year
Whitman Looms Up Strong.
Then there are others who have been
prominently mentioned. including Dlstrlct
Attorney Whitman, Nicholas Murray But
Ter David JAIME Hin and Secretary Slim
son of the War Department who ran
two years ago. The latter is now IN 'he
West. but his friends say that ne Wouid
not want 10 run this year.
Careful consideration is being given to
the suggestion Of District Attorney Whit
man. II is agreed that he is strong be-
fore the people on account of the excellent
work that he has done on the Rosenthal
case and the investigation Of police graft
ing that has grown out Of the murder OF
the gambler At first it was said that
such nomination would be out OF the
question. as Mr. Whitman would have to
resign mis- present office. and the public
would look upon that as desertion Of his
duty TO crafty personal ambition.
Then il was learned that ne would not
have TO resign, and it was suggested that
the best possible campaign he could make
would be TO stay right in the District
Attorneys Office and push his present
crusade If he were elected Governor he
could appoint his own successor after
January l. Some are inclined to argue
that i'm this way Mr. Whitman would
make strong candidate Others, how
ever say that no matter whether he kept
on with his work or not the very fact
that he accepted a political nomination
would be construed by some as indicating
that what ne had done in his present Of
fee was only TO get some higher place
and that those who were praising him so
highly now might turn on him.
Some Of the upstate leaders assert that
the candidate for Governor must make a
campaign through the state, and that in
the rural communities what Mr. Whitman
fEon
here makes little or no impression.
Although Mr. Barnes as state chairman
does not intend 10 urge his views on can
didates upon the delegates, Mr.. Barnes
IN his private capacity as citizen be-
lieves that Mr.. Wadsworth would make
an IDEAL Governor. Nor is he willing to
acknowledge any truth in the assertion
Of some that he would make a weak cam
didate because Of his affiliation with the
"old guard for so many years and his
opposition 20 the Hughes policies when
he was Speaker Of the Assembly. Per
sonally be is extremely popular with all
who know him.
President Nicholas Murray Butler OF
Columbia University has been mentioned
by some as candidate who would be
able 10. unite both the conservatives and
those progressiyes who believe that the
candidate this year should be a man
who has not been in active politics under
the present regime. President Butler is
now in Europe but will be back this
week. None Of the leaders know whether
he would be willing to accept the nomi-
nation this year or not.
Bsrnes's Hands OF, He Says.
Indicating his entire 'openness of mind
on the situation yesterday. Chairman
Barnes said
II do not favor the nomination for Gov
ernor Of Mr.. Wadsworth, or Mr.. Hedges.
or Mr. Woodbury.. or Mr.. Whitman, or
Mr.. Bennett or any one else. What am
DESTROYS of seeing Is the nomination OF
man who represents the real thought OF
the Republican party as expressed In the
Rochester and Chicago platforms. | am
not at all concerned with the name of
the man, provided he is intellectually hon
est and will not attempt to confuse the
minds OF the people of the state and pre-
vent them growing in political enlighten-
ment. All the mer / have named would
meet these requirements; so would some
others.
Chairman Barnes, OF course, is paru-
cularly interested in the platform, as he
is opposed to taking UP any radical ideas.
However. the delegates Will be permitted