The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-03-20

t'oIH'H Au8t the REORGANIZATION OF
Governor Higgins was considered a
danger. The same thing occurred IL
the administration of Governor Black
who parted company with the political
bosses soon after his inauguration.
The s.adual scaiin, down Of the Re,
publican piuraiitfes in state elections
has been owing largely to the strife
between the aiherents OF the party
bosses and the adherents of the man
In Office. The position OF Governor
Hughes is, therefore, unique. He can.
not bring about divisions. In his own
party on the issue between himself
and the party leader, for there is no
other leader Of the party in this State
but the Governor himself. There is
no one with whom 10 quarrel except
the time.serving politicians who are
seeking to block his reform measures
in tho legislature.
Reform Proleete
These politicians have apparently
overlooked the fact that Democrats
votes saved Hughes from defeat in
November. and that the Governors
electic: was due more 10 his own rec
ord as fearless reformer than to any
sweep against the Democratic plat.
form. AS the nomination OF Hughes
has been brought about in spite of
the party bosses, bis election came
as a sort of personal Endorsement OF
the man.
The Governor has now reached a
point In his career where notable
defeat or notable triumph may large.
ly determine his standing in the fu.
ture as a possible presidential candl.
date. There are thousands of men
fayoring the necessary reforms in
government. such as Governor Hughes
is now championing His champion
ship w'll amount to little unless he
can combine with IL an accomplish.
ment of objects such as will render
the present administration of PresI.
dent Roosevelt conspicuous above
those of his predecessors. If Gov
ernor Hughes compels the legislature
to accept his plans and the legislature
passes the nonpartisan bills advocated
By the Governor in the interests of ali
the people of the State It will not be
possible for any national convention
in search of availanle presidential tim.
her to overlook the claims of the Gov
ernor of New York STATE.
Admired by Democrats.
In mis- connection It may be said
that s:nce he became Governor of New
York Mr.. Hughes has attracted to him.
self tremendous following of Demo.
Gratis all over the State. At recenL
dinner in the Waldorf.Astoria attend
ed by the Governor the enthusiasm
among Democrats aroused by the Gov
ernor's speech upon the particular
subject OF honest elections was note.
worthy. He has been from the day OF
his eelcLion an advocate OF law
to compel a recount of the votes cast
in close election. ana While the
speech of Governor Hughes hal spe-
cIal bearing upon the mayoralty cleo
ton in this city, his views SO clearly
stated in that speech were such as to
bring even the followers OF Tammany
Hall to their feet with cheers for the
man WHO advocated square deal to
the ole he had defeated for the gov.
ernorahip. There are two characters.
tics OF Hughes which stand out in
bold le'ief in this era Of political s,,.
perAciality.
These are his breadth or view and
his tIoroughness in matters of de.
tail. The one Is Illustrated in his
sweeping measure to abolish the
shamrLl conditions in the passenger
traffic in this city by a commission
to supervise that tratic. That meas.
IRE would have been considered
few years ago as needless meddline
by the State in the business affairs
of individuals. The bill is simply the
way OF making the rail.
ways of the city perform their obliga.
tons. to those who grant them fran.
chises. The other Characteristic was
Illustrated in Mr.. Hughes dealings
with the State superintendent of liz.
surance.
The Kelsey Case.
The Governor was pretty familiar
with the subject of insurance. and he
did not believe that 4he superintend.
ent was doing his duty. SO he sen,
for that official, engaged stenograph.
err and had the superintendent an.
swcr series of questions. The an.
swers 10 those questions furnish tho
legislature with a splendid reason for
uplIolding the Governor in his effort to
reform the superintendent Office by
appointing n new superintendent. Be.
n, e.