Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-14
WOULD Be SAFE
FOR THE CHAIR
Postmaster General CorteIyou
Factor in New York.
OFTEN AT SYCAMORE HILL
His Chances to Fill the Gubernatorial
Office.
Is HE SUITED FOR THE PLACE?
President Has a Warm Regard and
Liking for Him-Possibility
of His Nomination.
His Chances to Fill the Gubernatorial
Office.
IS HE SUITED FOR THE PLACE?

Special Dispatch to The Star.
OYSTER BAY, N. Y, September 14.-That
George Bruce Cortelyou, Postmaster Gen.
eral Of the United States and chairman OF
the republican national committee, would be
willing to accept the republican nomination
for the governorship of New York state is
highly likely. But whether Mr.. Cortelyou
would make a candidate strong enough to
secure election is regarded here as extreme
ly doubtful.
Like many another man before him, Mr.
Cortelyou is understood to have the presi-
Dental bee buzzing in his bonnet. The buzz
zing may only be faint as yet, but those
who know him say that the aforesaid bee
has undoubtedly already begun to hive in
Mr.. COrtelyous headgear. Any man, un-
less, he be of the Odell or Higgins type who
is elected governor of New York is admit
ted to be presidential possibility, and tie
chairman of the republican national COM
mittee might see in the present rather
chaotic political conditions that exist in the
Empire state an opportunity to acquire the
governors chair, which seat he might later
use as stepping stone to the goal of his
ambition.
Often at the Hill.
The frequency with which Mr.. Cortelyou
has been a visitor at Sycamore Hill this
summer and the fact that he has partici-
pated in most of the political conferences
that have been held beneath the roof of
the Presidents Queen Anne cottage might
be taken as indications of the direction in
which Mr.. Cortelyou's thoughts were tend
ing.
But there are many factors which would
initiate against Mr.. Cortelyous success
should he secure the nomination. His op-
ponents would of surety bring up against
him the large contributions which the in
surance companies and other corpora atiOns
made to the republican campaign fund
while he was chairman of the republican
national committee, position which he still
holds. Nor is Mr.. Cortelyou a good cam
paigner. He is poor speechmaker, and
1t would be folly for him to attempt to
stump the state in opposition to a trenchant
orator like Jerome. In character ne Is not
the sort of man to excite enthusiasm. He
can carry out the plans of other.. but he
lacks initiative. 1t was his ability to bring
ITO fruition plans which other brains ha I
conceived and to obtain the desired results
without any noise or fuss which ehdeared
him to President Mckinley and, ae.er his
death, to President Roosevelt.
Presidents Warm Regard.
The framing of Mr. Cortelyou's entire life
has made it difficult for him to act on his
own responsibility. It is only recently that
he has emerged from the obscurity of CIVIL
servicedom and become figure of national
prominence.
The President has warm regard and lik-
ing for Mr.. Cortelyou, but the, Postmaster
General hardly seems to answer the re-
Quirements of a political Moses, which the
republican party Is looking for. The cleo
ton of man like Elihu Root would insure
the overthrow of the republican bosses at a
blow. Even those who are Mr.. Roots enc
mics would be compelled to admit that he
would not for one instant submit. to boss
domination. But with Mr.. Corteiyou 1t is
different. He would make an eminently safe
governor. But the adjective safe can also
be applied to Gov. Higgins In the Presi-
dents opinion, as understood here, the re-
publican party of New York needs fighter
for it's leader. 1t is a question whether Mr..
Coftelyou has the necessary amount of
fighting blood in his veins.