Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-19
NO HAND Is AT PARTY HELM
Many Minor Bosses, But No Master
Mind.
A REVIEW OF THE SITUATION
Position of Roosevelt, Hughes and Cor
telyou Outlined-Will the Former
Yield the Organization.


Special Dispatch From STAFF Correspondent.
NEW YORK. July 19-"Who's who?' In
attempting to solve the question in New
York republican politics investigation dis
closes IA very chaotic state of affairs. The
republicans Of New York state are at pres
ent without a boss. an unusual condition
and ore which is very perplexing to the
faithful Politicians of the Empire state
are uuaCrJistum"d to drifting without some
strong hand 1T the helm.
In the past they have had their bosses
and have ihyivrd under them. 1t is a no
table list of names of masterful politicians
who have guided the republican party in the
years gone by. There was Thurow Weed,
the first Of the great and real bosses. There
was William III. Seward; later came Roscoe
Conkling. after him Thomas g. Plat. who
reisncd supreme for many years; then Ben
jamin b. Odell. IT.. whose sovereignty, al
though brief was potential.
Now. what have you? A group of minor
bosses ruling over small sections of the
state. kind of feudal system in politics.
But at present they have no overload.
Each petty Chieftain stands IN his own
small territory, surrounded by his chosen
band Of followers ready to make war upon
his neighbor and rival If necessary. and al
ways alert for the coming of the master. so
that he can De among the nrSt TO enroll
his forces on the winning side.
Who is IL TO be this master politician,
who will unite the separate factions and
form one strong HOMOGENEOUS party or
Cortelyou? At first blush you might say
IL win be Roosevelt II is his state; he is
the head of the party in the nation and
he needs the organization for his own
purposes in the future. But there are
ambitions of others to be served. Gov.
Hughes has political future. Mr.. Cortel-
you feels that he has a right to ask favors
OF the state. Both Hughes and Cortelyou
are taking Roosevelt his word that he
will not be in the presidential running in
1908 and are insisting upon a fair field and
no favor. But Is 1t likely that Roosevelt
win release his hold upon the party organi-
zation?
Array of Local Leaders
Just glance at this collection of
local leaders. To begin with. there is Her
bert Parsons. president of the New York
county committee. He Is the boss OF Man.
haitian. but among the politicians he is looked
upon more d kind of resident agent for
Roosevelt There is Odell just up the river
at Newburgh. with a jealous eye upon Man
haitian and his watchful friends guard
Barnes. jr.. at Albany. ex-Gov. Frank
Black at Troy. William l.. Ward In West
chester county. Lou Payn in Columbia,
Frederick c. Stevens in Wyoming. the
ingston. j Snat Fassett in Chemung. George
Dunn in Broome. John Raines in Wayne
county. Edgar r. Bracket at Saratoga
George Malby in st. Lawrence and half
dozen lesser lights scattered throughout the
state
At present they are watching the man Of
the hour-Gov. Hughes. He is tangible,
militant political entity to be reckoned
with now. He has arrived: he is imminent
Gov. Hughes is politician and is playing
politics the while he is giving New York
state a splendid administration execu-
tive officer. In another chapter I will deal
more specifically and in detail with the ad-
min strative features of Gov. Hughes
Hughes in Manhattan.
In Manhattan you strike Gov Hughes
trail politician. The utilitarian spirit
of this town causes people to weigh his
acts in the political ~scales first. The rank
and file attach political significance to
everything he does before they consider
him in the light of statesman and great
reforIner. What is his game?" they ask.
They are accustomed to look upon reform
ers as Drotiting politically and personally
by their reforms.
Yesterday l spent the day in the financial
district talking with men who are potential
In business and in politics. l found that
Gov. Hughes is very strong among infiuen-
tIal republicans of that class. No one looks
upon him as philanthrOpist; they all say
first thing he is a good politician" ! made
particular inquiry to the opinion in the
financial district of his creation of the utili-
ties commissions. At the outset the street
was fearful of that policy. 1t was opposed
on general principles and the apprehension
thato the utilities commissions might prove
meddlesome bodies. But the street was re-
assured by the personnel Of the commits
SlonS appointed by the governor The re-
publican politicians, however, do not like
the makeup of the Greater New York COM
missions The governor. they say could
have strengthened the republican organiZa-
tfon in a better selection of republicans.
Strong With the Masses.
II is the belief OF some OF the republicans
OF prominence that Gov. Hughes is more
intent on intrenching himself with the peo-
pie at large. the independents and the con-
seryative democrats. than in building up
purely partisan republican organization. He
is looking far into the future. They think
he argues that II he is strong with the
mass Of the people, regardless of party. he
can dictate terms to the party organiza-
ton.
And why noto He was elected by votes
OF democrats, independents, mugwumps.
and all classes. Since the day he took his
seat at Albany he has shown indifference,
amounting at times to contempt, of the
party organization He not only has asked
quently refused their profrered assistance
He has been unapproachable to the ordl-
nary party hee4er, and has sCorned to en-
gage in small political traffic. Moreover
he has been indifferent to the national ad-
ministratton. 1t is reliably reported that
word has gone out from the national ad-
ministration to republicans at Albany that
Gov. Hughes hands should be upheld by
republicans Let him have his swing: his
day In court. Gov. Hughes Is playing a
lone hand. The verdict in this section is
that thus far he Is playing II well. and to
his certain advantage. But he has not yet
won the game. He cannot be called the
republican boss OF New York state. There
are some republican leaders who must yet
be reckoned with. and who have not decided
to swing into line under his banner.
n. O. NJ.