The evening times., 1898-08-25

New York. Aug. 25.-The political cam
paign in this State appears to have COM
menced already. 1t Is plainly to be seen
that Republicans are much more exer-
cised than Democrats. They have one
great question to contend with and that
Is whether or not 1t would be good policy
to nominate Roosevelt. Does New York
want a war governor who would In all
probability. after he rs safely anchored
In the gubernatorial chair, kick aside the
power that put him there. take the reins
In his own hands and perhaps 50 olsen
tegrate the organdza tion as to leave 1t Ut
tie hope of ever attaining harmony? Men
are arguing that Roosevelt is the Cleve-
land of their party. Platt.s Endorsement
Of the gallant Rough Rider is half
hearted in the extreme and the friends
of Governor Black are open and above
board In strenuous opposition to MILL
tary candidate. In the midst Of all
Roosevelt sereneiy smiles. II the party
wants him for Its candidate he Will serve
perhaps, with a capital p.
Mr. Roosevelt's friends declare that II
Mr.. Roosevelt Is elected governor ot TINS
state he will be governor. They refer TO
his conduct on the police board and as
sert that 1t Is a sure guarantees that ne
will not be at the beck and call OF any
man. This the Republican machine poll
ticians know and they are wary OF de-
c!aring that the personificauon OF iSde-
pendence Illustrated in Colonel Roosevelt
is the proper type OF man for their IN
dorsement.
The outside element that Is aiding the
boom Of the Rough Rider is distasiefui
to New Yorkers-that Is, to the Hepuoh-
can element. Senator Lodges visit to
OYSTER Bay, where Mr.. Roosevelt Is iaca-
ed is variously commented upon TO sum
the whole thing up. old party leaders
look upon Roosevelt as much more OF a
Mugwump than a Republican, and are
grieved accordingly.
Senator Lodge, who was at Oyster
Bay yesterday. had a long conference
with Col. Roosevelt and discussed with
him the probabilities of his nomination
for governor The gist of the result OF
the talks Is that Roosevelt declared that
he would not accept a nomination for
governor unless it came to him as the
unanimous call of his party.
The Democrats are not alarmed even
IL Roosevelt should be the Republican
candidate. On the contrary. they feel
sure Of victory whoever Is nominated.
There was a conference of their county
chairmen yesterday. thirty-seven Of the
sixty-One counties in the State being
represented.
These local party leaders. who gathered
in response to an Invitation of Senator
Patrick N. McCarren. chairman of the
Democratic campaign committee. ex-
pressed themselves on the situation in
their respective districts, and suggested
plans to insure Democratic success in the
pending campaign.
From all parts Of the State came re-
ports that the Democratic leaders were
confident of victory. Not only did che
county chairman declare that the ticket
to be nominated at Syracuse next month
would carry the State. but they added
that there was splendid prospect that
the legislature could be captured. despite
the Republican gerrymander.
Undoubtedly the most significant deyel-
opment Of this gathering Of Democratic
leaders was the strong sentiment which
was shown In favor of the nomination of
Elliot Danforth. chairman of the Demo-
| cratic State committee. for governor.
Most of the men present at the confer
ence were from counties up the State.
and their expressions did not include the
views of New York and Brooklyn Demo-
Gratis. But a poll of the local leaders
| showed that of the bwenty-nine upstate
Democrats here TO attend the conference
all but fouI favored Danforth's nomina-
| ton.
| Senator NcCarren's object in calling
| the Democratic county chairmen together
| was TO ascertain the exact condition of
| the party in all sections of the State 1t
| was evident from the statements of the
local leaders that all are confident OF vic
| tory. especially If any man but Col. Theo-
| dore Roosevelt should be placed at the
head of the Republican ticket Nearly
| all of the Democrats said that Col. Roo
| seveIt just now was strong favorste up
| the State although many predicted thar
the sentiment now apparent for Roose-
Welt would die out long before election
| day.
Chairman Danforth being asked how he
| regarded the situation after talking with
| the country leaders said: IT am more
| confident than ever that the State viii &c
Democratic this year. From all sections
come reports that the Democratic work
! ers are full of confidence They realize
| that the Republicans will be unable to
divert attention from the real issues. and
| 1 think the prospects Of Democratic VIC
| tory. not only for the State ticket but for
| the legislature, are extremely bright
This view was shared by Senator Nc
| Carren. who after the conference. SAID
| "From the views expressed here tonight
| I heieye there can be no question as tC
the outcome of the pending campaign II
| Ia evident that Democrats all over the
State are thoroughly aroused and confi'
dent of victory