New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
CONNECTICUT FOR TAFT.
So Governor WoodrWf Says -
Hughes Gaining Strength.
From The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington. Oct 19.-"Of all the candidates for
the Presidency Secretary Taft is by far the
strongest in Connecticut. and II the convention
held to-day feel certain he would receive
the support of the state delegation said Governor
Ron S. Woodruff OF Connecticut to-day. The
Governor is here, with most of the heads OF the
state government. his personal staff and regi-
meut Of the Connecticut National Guard Ihey
stopped here on their way home from the James
town exposition and finished a day OF sightseeing
with a dinner and a theatre party tonight.
LAS q graduate OF Yale and member Of the
corporation OF that university. Mr.. Taft has long
been In touch with us, and therefore has great
many friends in the state" continued the Governor
He is recognized a who IS thoroughly
capable Of filing the position of Chief Magistrate
shown by the splendid record he has made in
national affairs while judge. Governor of the Phil
lppincs and Secretary OF War The fact that
President Roosevelt considers him proper man TO
carry on the policies Of this administration does
not by any means count against him. In Connect
cut the people think 1t Is only natural that the
President should have preference. because he
knows the work to be done and the kind or man
who can best perform it.
.'Our people do not look forward TO voting again
for Mr. Roosevelt for President. They have ac-
,cepted as final his declaration that he will not ac-
cept another term. Yet should he by any posi-
biIitv be nominated by the Republican party. he
would carry the state overwhelmingly. He is as
popular as he was when he carried tho state IN
1904 However II is too early TO tell Just what the
Connecticut delegation will do IN tho next Repub-
ucan convention. Governor Hughes IS a coming
man. His record at the head OF the government OF
the state OF New York has not escaped the atten-
ton of the people of Connecticut and no Is gain
ing in strength among them all the time. Espe-
cialy the New York State line he has many
followers. In my opinion the contest is between
Taft and Hughes, and. far as l know, the other
candidates have not shown any apprecable strength
in our part OF the country Both strong. clean.
able men. but Taft is stronger. probably. because
his experience has been in national affairs. That of
Governor Hughes has been confined to the borders
his state and until the last year. to the city Of
New York
When Governor Woodruff was asked the position
Of Connecticut on the tariff he stated It unhes-
tatngIy. He made his financial in the iron
and steel business
Undoubtedly Connecticut is heartily In favor Of
revision of the Dingey tariff Immediately after the
inauguration Of the next President" he replied.
The feeling that the tariff should be revised is
almost universal throughout the state. We do not
say Just what schedules should be revised. for that
Is a big problem. but favor general revision
wherever necessary. We think with the people of
Massachusetts along those lines
Connecticut is tust now enjoying political calm
before the storm OF next year. a Senator will not
be elected until four years hence Next year
Governor will be elected. / shall not be a candi-
date There will probably be half dozen in the
field"
In the Governors party are Ex-Governor Cham
berlain and Marcus H. Holcomb. Attorney General.
Both seemed undecided whether they will support
Tat Hughes. They expressed admiration for
both.
'I feel very friendly TO Governor Hughes" said
Mr. Holcomb. because his wifes father Mr.
Carter. was my first school teacher when I was a
boy and his wife's mothers family I knew we'll
in my younger days. There is denying the fact
that Governor Hughes is well thought of in Con-
nectcut. He is regarded the people can
trust because he has the courage his convic-
tons He is no trimmer. II he had TO sacrifice
the Presidency for what he believed be right he
Nould do Il In a minute"