Evening star., 1912-09-05

1 Controller Of New York.
| SYRACUSE, n. Y, September 5.-The
opening session of the progressive state
| convention today found the framework
of party organization already construct
ed and the delegates ready for the con-
| sideration of a state ticket
None of the candidates for the head
of the ticket was making an active can
vass, and the 500 delegates were con-
fronted with the problem that seemed
| likely to lead to spirited contest on
the convention floor.
Controller William A. Prendergast of
New York told his friends this morn
ing that he would do nothing to obtain
the nomination. If it came to him un-
| solicited, he said, he would accept it,
but he felt that the delegates should
make their selection without influences
OF any sort. State Chairman Hotchkiss
again declared that he was not to be
considered as candidate. but many up
state delegates were insistently for him.
The problem Of finding candidate for
governor became more difiicult as the day
advanced. State Chairman Hotchkiss
and Controller Prendergast discussed
Mr.. Prendergast's availability. and Mr..
Hotchkiss Is reported to have told Mr..
Prendergast that it would ''be politically
inexpedient' for the controller to ac-
cept the nomination Many delegates,
| Hotchkiss is said to have told the con-
troller, had said to him that because of
Pfendergast's attitude on certain church
matters which had come before him in
an official way in New York his strength
| as candidate in many quarters would
| be impaired.
Opposition to Prendergasr.
| The opposition on the part Of certain
delegates to Mr.. Prendergast's candidacy
is said to be founded on religious lines be-
cause Of the controllers conduct of the
charity bureau in his Office.
| Chairman Hotchkiss. when he learned
| OF the reports that were being circulated
concerning his talk with Mr.. Prendergast,
! said 1t was nothing more than an effort
on the part of troublemakers to disturb
our friendly relations
Il hope that Mr.. Prendergast will be the
choice of the convention as head Of the
ticket he added, 'and l am working
with that end in view.
CHAIRMAN Hotchkiss reiterated his an
nounced determination not to permit his
name to be presented to the convention
as a gubernatorial candidate.
Many Receptive Candidates.
| Herbert e. Cook. dean of St Lawrence
University, returned today from Canton
| following a conference with the trustees
4 VI lhdl iHstItutIOH anu tOIu MI IjOlGHhiSS
that he would permit his name to go be-
fore the convention as candidate for
lieutenant governor.
| Chairman Hotchkiss said there were
| from three TO ten candidates for every
| place on the ticket and that the conven-
| tion would virtually resolve itself into
an old-fashioned town meeting.
Bainbridge Colby of New York was a
receptive candidate, and he too. declined
1 TO engineer In his interest.
i When George w. Perkins arrived today
many delegates believed he would bring
some message from Col. Roosevelt as to
/ the makeup Of the party slate. 1t was
expected that the whole day would be
| given over largely by the delegates to
| informal discussion of the party ticket.
! The delegates expected to adopt a plat
form today and nominate candidates to-
/ morrow.
| Chairman Hotchkiss called the conven-
tion to order at 12:2O amidst cheers for
Roosevelt and Hotchkiss.
| The chairman presented former State
Senator Frederick NJ. Davenport Of Onei-
da rs temporary chairman of the con-
vention.
| Chairman Davenport's declaration that
the socialism of Schenectady is the by
product OF rule of Mr. Barnes OF Albany
provoked storm OF applause from the
delegates. When he asserted that Gov.
Hughes had personally asked Col. Roose-
welt to take up the fight for direct pri-
on the United States Supreme Court
bench the delegates again broke into
cheers. He said in part:
Fighting Conspirators."
"A dangerous number Of the states of
the Union have been governed over long
periods from the Offices of great railway
| systems. In n dangerous number of in
stances the governing councils of our
cities have been puppets and the public
utility olgarchs have pulled the strings.
Our state legislators have stood without
around the neck. In dangerous num-
the inferior federal courts constitutional
provisions have been rigidly interpreted
to the particular advantage of property
and privilege.
Our opponents declare that We are
fighting leaders. We are not fighting
leaders. We are fighting conspirators.
4 The national progressive party in New
York will be second party and not a
third In reality We have at the present
moment but one powerful party within
of emergency of a twin head of leader
the republican and one of the demo-
cratic voters Of the state.
1--WE are governed in New York by the
political philosophy and practice Of Mr..
Barnes and Mr.. Murphy.
Continued on Fifth Pase)