The Washington herald., 1907-10-20
pecial to The Washington Herald.

.'iNNtAl tH At4N washington ufIal4s
New York, oct 19.-The near approach
Of Presidential year finds political con-
ditions in the Empire State decidedly
complex, if not absolutely chaotic.
Never before Immediately preceding a
national canvass was unity Of action So
utterly lacking apparently In both the
great parties, The pending local cam
paign is receiving bat seant attention In
the press. The fusion between Herbert
Parsons Republican organization aud
William Randolph Hearst's Independence
League Is nevertheless fraught with much
deeper significance than appears on the
surface.
The wisdom Of such an alliance is not
seen by the shrewd men Of the Repubil-
can party. If the fusion should win. com
plications would ensue tending in all
probability TO handicap the Republicans
and embarrass their organization in both
city and State
Defeat for the fusion forces would
mean the more formidable iutrench-
ment of Tammany than at any time since
Croker was in the heyday of his power
1t would mean. further, the elimination
Of the Independence League as real
political factor. although it might con-
tinue to be q disturbing element
The universal belief at this ;ime is that
the fusion ticket viii be Overwhelmingly
defeated
Hughes Stronger than Roosevelt.
There IS but one Republican of promI-
nence I'm the State upon whom the party
could unite-Goy. Charles r. Hughes. lie
going about his business IN thoroughly
busiHess-Iike and disinterested way. is
constantly growing in strength and popu-
larity
His speech last night. in which he
made no reference TO the fusion ticket
and announced that he was seeking
nothing at the hands of his party.
addcd 10 his prestige and. In the oplu-
ION OF sober-minded Republicans.
served to emphasize his availability
and leadership.
Nobody questions the strength Of
Roosevelt with the people The masses
unQuestionably are I'm fun sympathy with
him and his policies But Hughes really
appears TO have even a greater strength.
He not only has the masses behind him.
but the moneyed influences as we'll He is
strong with both the radicals and the
though the recent Scandalous dis
closures have had a most injurious ef-
feet. the utmost faith is felt in Hughes
sense Of fairness and justice. His
methods are approved. They are not
spectacular and disquieting II Roose-
Welt be not nominated to succeed him
self-and It IS generally recognized
that he can have the nomination If he
viii takS it--then Hughes is looked
upon as the most available Republican
in the country to-day.
Democrats Widely Apart.
There is much activity among the
Democrats. but It is an ill-directed ac-
tivity, in the main, that simply goes
10 show from day 10 day how widely
at variance Democratic views continue
TO be Some little time ago confer
ences We're held by Democrats Of the
Cleveland school in the hope that con-
Gitions might be brought about per
hitting the nomination of a conserva-
tive candidate in 1908 Judge George
Gray. of Delaware. was favored in these
conferences. and later the availability
Of Richard Olney, Of Massachusetts.
and David r. Francis. of Missouri. re-
ceived consideration. But the more
these conservative Democrats. repre-
senting the moneyed or corporate in
terests, analyzed the situation. the more
clearly the truth was forced upon them
that such a type of man could not
possibly be nominated at this time. and
If nominated. could not hone 10 he
elected. with the tide Of radicalism
running so strong.
Recognize Bryan's Hold,
William Jennings Bryan is less popular
in New York City than in almost any
other section of the country. His gov
ernment ownership speech, upon his re-
turn from his trip around the world
dampened the ardor of those New York
ers who were becoming reconciled toward
him and who believed that time was
modifying his views But even these
Democrats frankly admit that BRYAN is
stronger than any other Democrat-a
million votes stronger. perhaps. In the
country at large-and that it is not with
in his power. if he were ever so dis
posed to transfer this following to any
other candidate. 40 doubt is felt that
Bryan viii carry the party standard
The announcement Of his candidacy is
expected in a short time. He has agents
here. devoted personal and political
friends, who are alert 20 his interests
and who are keeping in touch with the
political sentiment in every State. His
coming speech is expected to demon
strate anew the popular hold he has
upon the people.
Booming Lieut.. Gov. Chanler.
The concerted effort by shrewd New
York Democrats 10 create a Presidential
boom for Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler.
lieutenant governor of the state, who
made such q remarkable race on the
ticket with Hearst last year. Is daily
watched with more seriousness, There
Continued on Page 3, Column 2.
Photographs OF the Old Folks.
Hrrn~. 81 l.