The Judge at once loomed up as a Presidential possibility, and was carefully groomed for the position by the New York Democratic machine, and its financial allies in the New York business world.
The Republicans realized that the chances were very much against them.
Accordingly the leaders were in a chastened mood and ready to nominate any candidate with whom they thought there was a chance of winning.

I was the only possibility, and, accordingly, under pressure from certain of the leaders who recognized this fact, and who responded to popular pressure, Senator Platt 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 I was the only man who could be elected, and that therefore I had to be nominated.
Foremost among the leaders who pressed me on Mr.Platt (who "pestered" him about me, to use his own words) were Mr.Quigg, Mr.Odell--then State Chairman of the Republican organization, and afterwards Governor--and Mr.Hazel, now United States Judge.

Judge Hazel did not know me personally, but felt that the sentiment in his city, Buffalo, demanded my nomination, and that the then Republican Governor, Mr.
Black, could not be reelected.