New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-16
ROOT TALKS WITH
ALBANY FACTIONS
Seeking to End Leadership
and Party Differences,
General Belief.

Albany. March -. Elihu Root, ex-
United States Senator, who, according
10 report last week, was to come here
to try to smooth over the general
tsngle in the Legislature, arrived to
day and spent two and half hours n
conference with Governor Whitman
and the legislative leaders.
While it was denied that the eX-Sena-
tors visit was an effort TO settle the
differences which have arisen between
Governor Whitman and the party lead
ers and among the party leaders them
selves. the fact that Mr.. Root spent
most Of his time with the Governor,
Senator Brown, Assemblyman Hinman
and Speaker Sweet led TO the general
belief that his real mission was to
smooth over the present difficulties and
urge harmony in the Republican ranks.
Mr.. Root was met at the railroad sta
tion by Major Moore, the Governors
Military Secretary. and escorted to the
Office OF Senator Elon K. Brown, ma
jority leader Of the Senate, with whom
he spent an hour.
While M Root was with Senator
Brown, Harold ). Hinman, floor leader
Of the Assembly, was sent for, and
joincd the conference. Francis VI.
Hugo. secretary OF State, also at
tended. His presence was dus to the
duty imposed on him, as Secretary Of
state, of certifying documents and
papers incidental to the Constitutional
Convention.
Visits Speaker Sweet.
After this conference Mr.. Root was
taken 10 the cfice of Thaddeus {.
Sweet, Speaker OF the Assembly. at the
other end of the Capitol. There Mr..
Root and Mr. Sweet talked matters
over for a little less than quarter Of
an hour.
20 the Executive Chamber, where ne
had conference with the Governor.
Mr.. Whitman and Mr.. Root were then
driven 20 the Executive Mansion, where
they had luncheon.
Nv Root inst missed the 2:05 train
back 10 New York, and whiled away
the hour and thrce-quarters before the
next fast train driving around Albany.
The ex-senator said he did not come
10 Albany TO discuss the legislative
tangle. adding that he did not know
anything about il.
Goth Senator Brown and Speaker
Sweet said that all Mr.. Root said TO
them was in relation to the Constltu-
,ionaI Convention, which Is to meet
here on April Is. Governor Whitman
safd only the Constitutional Conyen-
iion was discussed by him and Nr.
The general belief here is that Mr..
Root talked over the entire situation
with the Governor and the legislative
leaders. Just what the Governor has
"a do with the Constitutional Conven-
,icn no one here seems to know.
Not After Presidency.
Are YOU going to be candidate for
President" Mr.. Root was asked.
"Impossible," was the, reply.
"A report was published that you
would be. and that your candidacy
was favored by Mr.. Barnes he was
told.
"Sheer nonsense" was his answer.
Mr. Barnes arrived here Yesterday.
Those who believed he might be in
terested enough in the situation 70
helm unrave 10 were told by his
friends that he had come just for
couple Of days rest.
II was considered significant that
Ellis j. Staley, William Barnes's right
hand man and his successor here as
local leader, spent fifteen minutes n
close communication with Speaker
sweet tonight. The two talked with
heads together on the Speakers ros-
trum while the Assembly WAS IN ses-
sion.
n is believed here that Mr.. Staley
came to the Assembly a. Mr.. barness
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