Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-13
Which Will Lead the New York
Democracy?
IHE GUBERNArORIAL NOMINATION.
Prospects Of a Lively Struggle in
the Empire State.
WHY WHITNEY Is HERE

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, April 13.-There Is going to
be what now appears will develop into a
lively struggle for the democratic nomina-
ton for governor Of New York state. While
the impression even among a large per
centage OF the party's leaders. seems to
prevail that the election of the democratic
candidate is extremely doubtful, there will
be. at any rate. a most spirited contest for
supremacy In the convention.
Much lies in the hope that the enforce
ment of the Rains high license law passed
by the present republican legislature will
rebound to the benefit of the democrats and
make the election of the ticket not only a
possibility, but probability. From this
point of view the leaders are taking on
courage, and an old-time faction fight is
promised. While the Raines law has greatly
incensed a large number of the liquor deal
ers. the measure has many elements Of
merit, which are fully recognized by demo-
Gratis.
Senator Hills presence now at Albany
where he went from Washington last FRI
day to confer with the state leaders of the
party relative to the plans for the forth
coming campaign, has already done much
to change the political map. Senator Hill
may himself be for the fourth time the
democratic standard bearer. This Is a part
of his mission in the state at the present
time-to look over the field and get his
bearings. as it were, Senator Hills candi-
dons of the Whitney faction, if.faction it
can be called.
Hill Might Come Forward.
prominent leader of the party, friendly
to each the Hill and Whitney interests, who
does not wish to be known at the present
time, said to The Star correspondent:
Should it seem probable that Mr.. Whit
ney might be able to rally a large follow
ing for the nomination OF Secretary of
War Lamont, which may threaten the
defeat OF the Hill candidate. who. 1t is now
believed. Is ex-Congressman Perry Bel
mont. then Senator Hill VIII himself come
forward and be the candidate.
The impression very generally prevails
that Senator Hill can secure the nomina-
ton for himself. while Mr.. Belmont would
be in danger of defeat, though backed and
indorsed by the Hill machinery. The Hill
people have not forgotten the sacrifice
made by Senator Hill in 1894, when he ac-
cepted the nomination for the party's
good, though defeat seemed sure, an honor
which Mr.. Whitney refused and haughtily
threw aside. leaving Senator Hill to carry
on the battle, against great odds.
In view of this bit of political history, 1t
is claimed that Mr.. Whitney cannot. in
good grace. work to defeat the nomination
of Senator Hill, while he could, with con-
sistency.- that of Mr.. Belmont.
But for the sake of controlling the party
machinery with the objective point of 1900
in the distance, Senator Hill would not
think for a moment of entering the arena
this year, but two years hence he will be
the candidate"
The constitutional convention of last
year changes the term Of governor from
three to two years. =. .fua
Hills Supremacy Threatened.
Should Secretary Lamont be the candi-
date, the friends Of Senator Hill seem to
realize that in the event Of an election 1t
would In all probability be the end Of the
Senator's power in the state. Secretary
Lamont will be put forward as the choice
of the administration, and that in the
opinion of the Hill people will make him
the most dangerous of persons to the am
bitionS of the Senator in 1900.
1t is supposed that MIR. Whitney's pres
ent visit to Washington Is for the purpose
of conference with Secretary Lamont upon
the subject, and which was the cause Of
Senator Hills hurried trip to Albany.