Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-22
LONDON TIMES
FLAYS Mr.. HEARST

of the state of New York. The Idea seems
to obtain that Mr.. Hearst has succeeded
In placing himself at the head OF the
forces of discomfort which have massed
100000 votes In Germany under the name
Of socialism and which had they known
their power might even have captured the
last British parliament under the banner
of the labor party. And strangely enough
the opinion appears to prevail that Mr..
Hearst at the head OF forces OF this char
acter. may be more powerful In defeat
than in victory-that II elected he might
be handicapped by the routine or once
and find that patronage Is a two-edgeo
sword that cuts both ways. but that with
out the weight of an once upon his Shout
ders he might be able to keep up a more
aggressive fight than II elected governor.
where to a greater or less extent he might
find his hands tied.
Curiosity-a feeling that In victory or
defeat this spectacular young editor may
yet cut wide swath In the history OF
the world, even though he should never
be erected President or governor. appears
to be the paramount opinion as reflected
by the English and continental press. That
even the "Thunderer'' Is puzzled Is shown
by the following editorial from the London
Times:
THE nomination of Mr.. Hearst can
didate for the governorship of New York
by the democratic state conventfon-what-
ever else 1t may be-is an event OF unques-
tIonable piquancy. Mr.. Hearst Is one OF
the best-abused men in the Union. He
has just been described by the North
American Review as living ana slarlng
reproach to American civilization. The
New York Evening Post commenting on
his nomination. says there is no longer
any question OF party platforms: 1t Is
enough to point to Mr. Hearst and Mr.
Hughes the republican nominee, then bid
ba on this nIcturp and
that As to Mr. Hearsts methods OF In
fuencing the democratic convention, the
correspondents at Buffalo have exhausted
themselves in denuncatiO The charges
brought against him are the same as those
that were banded about on the eve of the
presidential election of 1904. When MI
Hearst carried the democratic convention
of Iowa on that occasion. his delegates
were greeted with cries of Brass collar
and How much did 1t cost?' 1t was just
the same at Buffalo We are told that no
political body has sunk lower Into
degradation than this democratic gather
ing The corruption is declared to be so
fragrant. and Mr.. Hearst so bankrupt in
political honor. that it is assumed every
eelf-respecting person must vote against
him. no matter what his party. Mr.. Je-
rome the district attorney who was Mr..
Hearst's chief rival in the convention. has
already declared that he will support the
republican candidate To the disinterested
onlooker all this is simply bewfldertng.
Mr.. Hearst is denounced as traitor.
disgrace to Journalism wholesale en-
ployer OF corruption, an agftator who ap-
peals to the lowest passions. No Ameri-
can politician has been more widely and
categorically denounced Yet the demo-
cratic convention OF New York-the most
important state convention In the whole
democratic party-deliberately dominates
this man for the governorship. and there
by makes 1t possible, IL scarcely probable.
that he may become democratic candi-
date for the presidency two years hence.
and in the sequel, perhaps. President OF
the Union. Are the members of this demo-
cratic convention the only wise men among
blind people, and have they detected
kindred spirit in Mr.. Hearst2 1t does not
seem likely. and yet so general Is the
abuse of Mr.. Hearst that 1t Is almost the
only alternative to the darker stories
Outsiders are. however. fairly absolved from
offering a theory on this extraordinary
situation. 1t is enough for them to ex-
press their wonder. not untinged with other
sentiments. at the sporting instinct of q
democratic convention which chooses a can
didate for whom no decent democrat will
vote.
WHO and what is Mr.. Hearst. II we put
aside for moment the epithets with which
he has been so freely covered? For 80
notorious a politician he Is young-only
forty-three-and the stress which Is still
constantly laid upon his youth seems to
suggest that the American public have
not yet got over the shock of his first APP
pearance. That may be dated back to
1885. perhaps. when. at the age OF thirty
journalism and politics and bought the
New York Journal TIL then Mr.. Hearst
had been only young Westerner of ample
means. Now he transferred his activities
20 the east. rather extended them over
both sides of the continent. for he con-
trolls papers with great calculations in New
York, Chicago. Boston, San Francisco and
Los Angeles. Mr.. Hearsts newspapers
have always borne a special stamp. OF
all yellow Journalist term easier to ap-
preciate than describe-none have been
yellower than they; and Mr.. Hearst. as
their proprietor. has earned about as I'M
enviable notorlety could fall to any
man in such position. What he is apart
from his newspapers. very few people seem
TO know 1t Is one of the sources of COM
plant that his personal views are entirely
unknown. 1t is suggested that he does
not possess any. As member OF Congress
he did not speak, and he seems seldom to
have taken part in a division. Yet we are
told that in this campaign he has repeat
eddy made forcible and successful speeches
Marked ability of some kind he must have:
for no man entirely lacking in ability and
magnetism could control the great busi-
ness interests which Mr.. Hearst controls
and make his way to the forefront of poll
ties through a perfect blaze of reproba-
ton. But what Is known about him at
present Is little compared with the I'M
known Under the searching test of the
next two years we shall see what he is
really made Of
Betting on the election has already be-
gun in New York, and to I Is apparently
all that the decent party prepared to
stake upon their chances. In fact though
Mr.. Hughes. the republican. Is strong
and energetic candidate who made a great
reputation In the late insurance inquiry
and is known to be favored personally by
the President. some experienced observers
believe that Mr.. Hearst stands the better
chance. According to some accounts, the
conservative democrats. who mean to fight
Mr.. Hearst. are deceIving themselves. He
has the big battalions Of his party with
him. The East Side of New York. a vast
population of immigrant aliens, barely edu-
Gated and the. prey OF INSCRIPTIONS Or
CARNATIONS like Tammany are expected to
go solid for Mr. Hearst. Large numbers,
both OF the lower middle class and OF the
agricultural population. are thought likely
TO vote for him-and for quite disinterested
motives of reform. That Mr.. Hearst and
Tammany now allies is perhaps the
most important fact in the situation; and
II IL also the most remarkable. for a
month or two ago MIR. Murphy, the Tam
many leader, was being caricatured as a
convict in Mr.. Hearsts papers What is
TO be the outcome OF all these paradoxes?
II Mr.. Hearst secures the governorship
for the democrats, 1t will be a sign that
New York state may very probably go
Democratic In the presidential election
Mr.. Hearst, again. as the successful can
Hat