The Washington herald., 1913-10-12
Says He Was Picked for the Nomination in 1898 by Senator
Platt, Who Believed Him Only Republican
Who Could Be Elected

IL September. 1898, the First volun-
teer Cavalry, in company with most of
the rest of the Fifth Army Corps, was
disembarked at Montauk Point. Short
Iy after it was disbanded. and a few
days later I was nominated for Gov
ernor of New York by the Republican
party. Timothy l.. Woodruff was nomi-
mated for Lieutenant Governor. He
was my stanch friend throughout the
term of our joint service.
The previous year, the machine or
standpat Republicans, who were under
the domination of Senator Platt, had
come to a complete break with the
anti-machine element over the New
York Mayoralty. This had brought the
Republican party TO a smash, not only
in New York City, but in the State,
where the Democratic candidate for
chief judge of the Court of Appeals,
Alton &. Parker. was elected by $4,000
or $4,000 majority. Mr.. Parker was
an able man. lieutenant of Mr.. HilTs,
standing close to the conservative
Democrats of the Wall Street type
These conservative Democrats were
planning how to wrest the Democratic
party from the control of Mr.. Bryan.
They hailed Judge Parker's victory as
a gOdsend. The judge at once doomed
up as Presidential possibility, and
was carefully groOmed for the posi-
tion by the New, York Democratic ma
chine and its financial allies in the
New York business world.
The Only Way TO Win.
The Republicans realized that the
chances were very much against them.
Accordingly the leaders were in
chastened mood and ready to nOmi-
nate any candidate with whom they
thought there was a chance of win
ming. ! was the only possibility, and,
accordingly under pressure from GER
tain of the leaders who recognized the
fact. and who responded TO popular
pressure. Senator PIatt picked me for
the nomination. He was entirely frank
in the matter. He made no pretense
that he liked me personally. but he
deferred to the judgment of those who
insisted that l was the only man who
could be elected. and that, therefore,
] had to be nominated
Foremost among the leaders who press
ed me on Mr.. Platt lwhO 'pestered' him
about me. to Use his own wOrds) were Mr..
QuiGE. Mr. Odell-then State Chairman
Of the Republican organization. and aft
crward GOvernor-and Mr.. Hazel, now
United States Judge judge Hazel did
not know me personally. but felt that
the sentiment in his city. Buffalo, de-
Republican Governor, Mr. Black, could
not be reelected. Mr.. Odell. who hardly
knew me personally felt the same way
aruut Mr.. Blacks chsnc'.I and, as he
hal just taken the Stat Chairmanship,
he was very anxious to win a victory.
Mr.. Quigg knew me quite well personally;
he had been in touch with me for years,
while he was a reporter on the Tribune.
and also when he edited paper in Mon
taua; he had been on good terms with
me while he was in ConSress and was
Civil Service Commissioner, meeting me
often in company with my especial CIO-
HieS in Congress-men like Lodge, Speaker
Tom Reed, Greenhalge, Butterworth. ana
Bolliver-and he had urged my appoint
ment as Police Commissioner on Mayor
Strong
MIR. QuiGg Calls on Me.
It was Mr.. Quigg who called on me at
MontaUk Point TO sound me about the