William Brookfield

THE G. O. P.

Meeting of the Republican State

Executive Committee.

A Noticeable Absence of the Leaders of

the Organization — It Has Been Decided

to Open Headquarters in New York for

the Presidential Campaign.

A noticeable change in the demeanor of the Republican leaders was apparent to-day when the Republican state executive committee met at the Fifth avenue hotel, New York. Unlike of old, when the party controlled both branches of the state legislature and congress, the statesmen wore a subdued air. The members did not congregate in the lobby of the hotel and tell of recent or contemplated achievements. The meeting was called for the purpose of selecting a date to recommend to the state committee for holding the state convention for the election of delegates to the Minneapolis convention, and to consider the subject of securing campaign headquarters at once and put them in charge of a secretary. The members who responded to the call were: General James W. Husted, the chairman; William Brookfield, chairman of the New York county general committee; General James W. Wadsworth, Lou Payn, R. B. Odell, jr., John A. Quackenbush, Charles A. Pickering, George W. Aldridge, John W. Dwight, Lucias L. Van Allen, Deputy Collector Frank Raymond, P. D. Kilburn, George Campbell, and Israel F. Fischer and Charles T. Danwell of this city.

General James W. Husted, with grip in hand, came directly from Albany. He did not tarry in the corridor of the hotel, but went direct to parlor D, where the meeting was held. He was followed by General James W. Wadsworth of Stenben county. Others who followed were Colonel Lou Payn, Charles Chickering, the last Republican clerk of the assembly, and other lesser lights. There was an absence of the big guns of the party. Senator Thomas C. Platt was not around. J. Sloat Fassett did not design to put in an appearance, and Warner Miller showed no interest in the meeting.

General Husted called the meeting to order shortly after noon. The committee went into executive session. It was unanimously agreed to open headquarters at the Fifth avenue hotel, New York, and to conduct what was termed a vigorous and manly campaign in the interest of the Republican candidate for president, whoever he may be. John S. Kenyon of Syracuse, ex-clerk of the senate, was elected as secretary. Since the Democrats captured the senate, Mr. Kenyon has been out of employment. He knows every politician in the state and is an adroit campaigner. No one present seemed to know before the meeting when the state committee would meet. They were evidently waiting for orders from 45 Broadway.

Word was evidently received from the latter, for shortly after the committee decided that the state committee would meet at the Fifth avenue hotel on Monday, February 29. It is thought that the latter body will call the state convention for early May. Either Syracuse or Albany will be selected as the place.