New-York tribune., 1907-12-25
HEDGES ON HUGHES.
His Reasons for Not Supporting
Endorsement for President.

Job E Hedges. OF the few members OF the
Republican Club to vote against an Endorsement
of Governor Hughes the choice OF the cluo lot
President at the meeting on Monday night, fol-
lowed up his action yesterday by giving his views
on the Governor and the so-caled managers or
the Governors campaign Among other things he
said:
II recall no Governor of this state who has
brought to the duties of that office higher conse-
Grafton of motive and closer application to Its
duties than has Governor Hughes He is entitled
the respect of every thinking citizen, and his
talents and record Justify serious consideration De-
ing given him a Presidential possibility
'Mr. Hughes was nominated for Governor under
unusual circumstances and to meet peculiar con-
ditons and probably any other nominee at that
time would have been defeated The questions IN
volved a year ago practically only those OF
purely executive nature. He has not only met
these. but has made suggestions for legislation
With have attracted attention TO him throughout
the country.
The gentleman far fndisputably in charge
Of the Governors Presidential possibilities 2redi-
Gates his efforts upon the proposition that the Gov
ernor will announce his opinion national issues
in his letter accepting the nomination. This puts
the Governor In light unfair TO him and unfair
to tho party. The Governor has strong hold
personally on the voters of New York State To
be nominated for President he must have votes
other than from New York State. To ask for those
votes and refuse the opinions of the Governor on
questions with which the Republican party is
identified IS. IN my judgment, the best means OF
preventing the Governor from obtaining votes out
side his state.
THE representative of the Governor also started
to obtain the Endorsement of the county committee
in New York by impugning the motives Of every
member of it. This may be relief from the press
OF enthusiasm but IL is neither sense judg-
ment. There is objection to burning incense.
but If you burn SO much that no one at distance
the object before which it is burned 1t does
not tend to make converts.
There are Republicans in the United States who
have views the tariff the Philippines. foreign
relations, njunctions federal regulation interstate
commerce, snd who are going TO be much moro
interested In the principles 10 be enuncated at
Chicago than the nominees to be named Who the
nominee shall he is of great but not final I'M
portance. When the Republican party is ready to
all its functions of principle and conduct
TO any individual, II Is time for the party to dis
band.
to the Governor. I object his being put In an
inconsistent light. and I object to the policy of
seeking assistance from organizations whose mo-
tives his representative first impugns.
There so.o0ooo people in the United States
and 100000 voters. Speaking generally 5000 900
will elect next President of the United
States. So far the Presidential campaign of
Governor Hughes is predcated by his representa-
tive upon the demand that 100000 voters shall sur
render their mental Independence their political
principles to man whose views they do not even
know.
This Is an assumption for the Governor Of a
mental condition his part that 1 believe is en-
trey foreign him.
'T hod brief for anybody In this matter
and am not in fear of physical violence from any
federal offlceholder: my opinions controlled
nor has endeavor been made to control them
by the chairman OF the Republican State Com
mittee or the president of the Republican County
Committee"