New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-28
"BIG FOUR" FIGHT
IN G. 0. P. BEGUN
Whitman-BarneS Confer
ence Starts Scramble
Among Leaders.

There was evidence Yesterday that
the four delegates at-large from this
state 20 the Republican convention at
Chicago would not be chosen without
lively fight among the leaders. near
leaders and many others who think
they ought TO have something 20 say
about il. l. is regarded a. reasonably
certain that Senator Wsdsworth and
ex-senator Root can have two Of the
places on the Rig -Four" II they care
for the honor. and there isn't much
doubt tina, they will
The fight. therefore, narrows down TO
the remaining two places. It promises
to be a scramble Of no small proper
tions Thus far there are FIVE Republi-
cans Of prominence who think they are
entitled 10 represent the Republicans
Of the Empire State az the Chicago con
yentioa a. delegates-at-larg and there
are symptoms that this list will he in
creased
Governor Whitman thinks he is en-
titled 70 one of these places; william
Barnes. jr.. Frederick G. Tanner. char
mal OF the state committee; William
Rcrri. OF Brooklyn. and Nicholas Mur-
ray Butler have a similar desire. The
Governor Presidential aspirations,
however. have proven serious barrier
TO his ambition 10 be member OF the
"Big Four" II he should be smoked
out Of his Presidential cyclone. cellar, II
would be with the understanding that,
as a candidate for President, he could
not also be a delegate-at-large to the
convention.
With the Governor out Of the dele
gate-at-large race the chances OF state
Chairman Tanner being selected would
be strengthened, as both come from
the same district. In any circumstances
one o. the other is certain TO be ehml-
mated
William Barnes, jr.. is equally in
sistent that he be a member OF the
Big Four" II is understood he mas
communicated this aspiration TO Gov
ernor Whitman and certain other Re
publicans of prominence IN a way that
most persons would look upon as I'M
perGtive.
Neither Governor Whitman with mis-
PRESIDENTIAL amUlLlOu 5htiHthl NV -
Barnes will be able 10 count upon his
selection. however II q movement 10
shelve both Of them. which was started
i'm a quiet way yesterday, makes much
headway. This movement was the re-
suit OF news that the Governor and Mr..
Barnes rad held conference for the
purpose Of getting together on the
makeup Of the Big Four
There are several versions OF what
took place at the meeting between the
Governor and the former state chair
man. but on one point all agree. and
that il that no decision was reached.
The reason for this. it Is said, was the
shyness Of the Governor to discuss ms
Presidential aspirations.
However, the fact that the Governor
and the former state chairman were
talking things over" caused deal Ct
gossip in Republican ranks throughout
the city. a d some of the comment
couldn't pass the censor of the most
liberal newspaper.
The Republican State Committee Will
meet on January Ii 10 arrange for the
unofficial convention in February, at
which il is intended 70 agree upon the
makeup Of the big Four" Senator
Wadsworth probably will be temporary
chairman Of the convention. Mean
while it Il. regarded as certain that the
meeting OF the state committee Will
produce concrete sentiment as TO who
should constitute the Big Four