New-York tribune., 1906-10-18
NIAGARA FALLS MIX-UP.
Mayor Cutler to Ram Independently
No Hearst Enthusiasm.

Niagara Falls. N. Y, Oct II Specialize. W.
Cutler, the Democratic Mayor of this city, has
followed his characterization of William R.
Hearst as a "blatherskite" and his declaration
that he will not vote for Hearst for Governor
by fling petition independent candidate
for Mayor. The Democratic organization turned
Mr. Cutler down for denomination in spite of the
acknowledged fine record he has made and now
it will be three cornered fight locally, with
two Democratic candidates and one Republican
in the field.
Mr. Cutler is not making his canvass on the
direct issue of a bolt from Hearst but so plain
has he made his own position that his followers
will doubtless take the from him and vote
for Hughes. At the same time the local situa-
ton has become complicated that Democrats
who privately make no secret of the fact that
they will vote for Hughes not willing TO
state publicly. The candidates OF both Demo-
cratic factions want the support of Hearst msu.
and solely for that not willing to
come into the open. Otherwise there would he
scores Of Democrats anxious to place record
their antagonism to Hearst.
Within tWenty-four hours after he had de-
clared himself against Hearst Mayor Cutler had
the five hundred names necessary on his petiti-
tion as an independent candidate and il is
admitted even by the most enthusiastic sup
porters of Hearst that Cutler Will be formida-
A {. douglass. One OF the peculiar features OF
the local situation is the fact, well known to his
friends, that Mr.. Douglass, too, might have de-
clared for Hughes If he had not been candidate
for Mayor. He is warm admirer of District
Attorney Jerome although a delegate TO the
Buffalo convention he was debarred by instruc
tons from voting against Hearst
Interest here is, In fact, centred almost wholly
on the local contest. There is a total absence
OF enthusiasm for Hearst among the Demo
cratic leaders, many of whom. IL is well known,
will vote for Mr.. Hughes. although they think
they cannot afford openly to break from their
party. Talks with many Of them to-day left
doubt that in their opinion the Hearst boom
has all but collapsed in this corner of the state.
where it was confidently predicted that he would
continue TO gain strength until Election Day.
Careful canvasses by Republicans in the big
manufacturing plants have revealed only slight
tendency on the part Of Republican workers 70
abandon their party, and such loss as there may
be will be more than offset, Democrats them
selves admit. by the silent Democratic vote
which will be cast for Hughes. There Is so far
not the faintest indication OF a landslide %
Hearst.
to the Hearst sentiment which developed
previous to the Buffalo convention for their
ends It was planned weeks ago to make Hearst
the tail. he is, of the local ticket, to
attract to 1t such Republican support as he
could muster Nothing will be done openly to
ALLEVIATE that support, but as to the fate of
Hearst himself there Is little interest. Nobody
who is well posted in local politics believes he
will do more than break even by inroads into
the Republican ranks with the falling off of the
Democratic vote the state ticket which is
assured. and the opinion is general that he will
fall considerably below the normal Democratic
vote.