Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-18
CAMPAIGN TO BE PUSHED
For the Governor With Vigor From
Now On.
RITTER SKIRMISHING
Between Friends Of Secretary and
Governor, But of Friendly Nature,
Neither Fearing knitting.

The presidential situation is rapidly
crystallizing, in the opinion of the repub-
hereabouts, and the contest for the repub-
lican nomination is taking more definite
form. Events of the past two days are
thought to have been of considerable sig
nificance. Publication Of the correspon-
dence between Gov. Hughes and Martin
Sake and Secretary Cortelyou's statement
have bearing upon the situation.
1t is the opinion of men in congressional
and official life interested IN national poll
tics that Gov. Hughes Is to be regarded
from this time on as candidate for the
nomination 'in the hands of his friends"
Mr.. Hughes himself will stick to the job
Of governor and attend strictly to the
business pertaining to that office. How
ever, no pent-up Utica contracts the pow
ers of his friends, but the whole bound
less universe of politics is theirs.
Campaign for Hughes.
The campaign for Gov. Hughes nomi-
nation is to be pushed. and with vigor.
from this time on. The first practical
step will be taken next Thursday night
when the New York republican county
committee meets and resolution will be
offered to the effect that 1t is the belief
of the committee that the republican vot-
ers generally throughout the county Of
New York desire Gov. Hughes name pre-
sented to the national convention. II that
resolution is adopted 1t will be the initial
effort toward securing an instructed oeie-
CATION from New York for Gov. Hughes.
Politicians in Washington were very
much interested in the correspond
ence between Gov. Hughes and Mr.. Mar
tin Sake, published in The Evening Star
Yesterday. Taken in connection with the
declaration made by Gov. Hughes at the
dinner of the Republican Club In New
York, the governors reply was generally
construed to mean that he would be In
a receptive mood as to the presidential
nomination. but would do nothing to for
ward 1t which might interfere with his
strict attention to the business of his
office.
Governors Remarks.
The governors remarks to the Repub
Hcan Club referred to were as follows:
ITO avoid any possibility of misappre-
hension regarding my own, course. might
say this further word: I do not seek
public office. The majority of people
doubtless think that the distinction and
power OF office are an irresistible attrac-
tion. II you had been constantly in my
company during the last nine months, you
WOuIQ see tHat anOtIler point view is
quite possible. To me, public Office means
burden of responsibility burden of in
cessant toll, at times almost intolerable,
which. under honorable conditions and at
the command of the people, it may be a
duty and even pleasure to assume but
Is far from being an object of ambition.
Il have not sought, nor shall I seek
directly or indirectly, in influence the Sc
lection or the vote of any delegate to any
convention, and, with reference to the
action OF dplnQraf RI
there Will be no suggestion or thought or
influence. protest or reprisal in the ex-
ecutive chamber
Cortelyou and Hughes.
1t is the expectation of politicians
that there will be some skirmishing
between the friends of Secretary Cor
telyou- and of Gov. Hughes at an early
date, but it will not be of Il bitter
character. 1t will be more of a friendly
nature. and whichever appears to be
In the lead need not be afraid Of being
knitted by the other. This situation
VIII be in vivid contrast to the Fora
ker,Taft struggle in Ohio. which is war
TO the knife and fight to the death.
1t Is generally believed by politicians
here that Secretary Cortelyou Will be a
candidate for the nomination. They are
unable to place any other construction
upon his statement published today. or
course, his decision will depend upon
the progress Of events in the near fu-
ture In New York. These politicians
know that Secretary Cortelyou has
been maintaining an Independent posi-
tion Tor the past year, looking to the
possibility Of his entering the contest
for the nomination If he should at some
future time see his way clear.
1t is known in Washington that Sec
retary Cortelyou declined from the out
set to lend his Voice to the cabinet
chorus in Endorsement of Secretary Taft
for the nomination. Secretary Cortel-
You did not deem it a necessary tribute
to his loyalty to the President that he
should acqufesce in the proposition that
the President might designate his
choice of successor. Mr.. Cortelyou con.
sidered that he could be loyal to the
time maintain his own views as to the
presidential nomination and; If he SO
desired. forward his own interests as
well as those OF any other member of
the cabinet.
This attitude Of Secretary Cortelyou
has been known to President Roose-
Welt for nigh onto a year. There is no
evidence that President Roosevelt
either misunderstood or reprehended
Mr.. Cortelyou's position.
Cortelyou in Same Boat.
Secretary Cortelyou's friends comment
ed upon the fact today that he is in the
same boat with Gov. Hughes in one re-
spect-namely, that for the present he is
going to give strict attention to the du-
ties of the Office of the Secretary of the
Treasury. as Gov. Hughes will to the du-
ties Of his office. The game will be
played by the politicians in New York
while the two men whose interest are at
stake devote themselves to public affairs.
The Taft boomers are pressing the af-
fairs Of their chief In many quarters.
They made headway in Michigan the other
day when a straw vote was taken In the
constitutional convention, and an over
whelming sentiment in favor of Taft was
developed. The Missouri republican state
committee yesterday indorsed Secretary
Taft for the nomination. The landing Of
the Secretary in this country next Friday
will be made the occasion of q demon