New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-16
PRESIDENT AND HUGHES
THEIR REAL RELATIONS.
Reports of Discord Cause Amuse-
n,ent to Those Who Knozc the Truth.
From The Tribune Bureau.l


press under both Washington and Albany date
lines. and which depict the President and Gov
ernor Hughes in all sorts Of grotesque and I'm
possible attitudes occasion much amusement
and some surprise to those in Washington who
know the facts. OF course. all statements TO
ernor Hughes; that he is trying TO defeat his
measures and discredit his policies with a view
70 securing the New York delegation for Secre-
tary Taft are, if possible. as false as they are
preposterous.
The animus Of this sort Of dispatches is. IN
the opinion of those who have carefully OBJ
served the situation. twofoId. In certain IN
stances the corporate Affiliations OF the papers
which order and prominently display such dis
patches are too we'll known TO leave their pur-
pose in doubt BY creating trouble between the
President and the Governor they obviously hope
to defeat all legislation which would prove dis
tasteful 10 the interests they represent. In
other instances the purpose that Of creating
trouble and defeating Governor Hughes's ad-
rnirabIe measures. is doubtless the same. but
the anirnus is believed TO be found in partisan
ship Such papers. according to the politicians
in Washington, seek insidiousy to destroy the
Governors influence for good and to disrupt the
harmony of the Republican party with the hope
that the Democracy may profit at the polls in
November. 1905 On the same footing with the
assertion that the President is angry with Gov
ernor Hughes is the allegation that the Presi-
dent is aiding Senator Raines. Speaker wads-
worth and Senator McCarren II would be a
mighty interesting situation If it were true.
but II IS not.
THE SANDERS INCIDENT
All the facts in the situation which has been
made the basis for such grotesque reports can
be stated In a few words. About three weeks
ago F. c. Stevens came to Washington and told
the President that Archie Sanders. internal rev.
enue collector and protege Of ex-Representa-
tive wadsworth. using his place and infiu-
ence to defeat Governor Hughes in his efforts to
remove Insurance Commissioner Kelsey. Sanders
had already secured the votes OF one Senator
and one Assemblyman, according 10 Mr.. Stevens.
and. il unchecked his influence would go further
toward defeating step which the Governor re-
garded as essential The President assured
Mr.. Stevens that he thoroughly IN SYM
pathy with the Governor and that IL was re-
pugnant to him that federal oficeholder should
be engaged in defeating Mr.. Hughes's efforts
for reform Accordingly, Sanders was removed
and Mr. Stevens assured that in filling his
place care would be taken 10 select a man who
would in no way attempt to interfere With
the Governors policies Furthermore. at Mr..
Stevens's instance the President wrote to GER
tain Of his friends IN the Legislature urging
them cordially TO support the Governor in his
efforts 10 secure Kelsey's removal
I No sooner did il become known that the Presi-
dent had taken this course than there began TO
be sent from Albany dispatches alleging that the
President was interfering in the New York sit
uation. that Governor Hughes did not care for
his assistance. but on the contrary. resented his
exerting any influence in his own state. even
though that influence was in support or the Gov
ernor and his policies The Governor Is en-
tireIv competent 10 handle the situation himself
and asks no help from Washington" was the
purport OF these dispatches Immediately MI
stevens came 10 the President and assured him
that the Governor was not only in no way re-
sponsibIe for the dispatches. but that they were
not his sentiments that he utterly repudiated
them.
KELSEY CASE DEFEAT.
The Governor did not. however. make any
public statement 10 this effect. and 1t IS the
belief of certain prominent politicians In WASH
ington that by his failure 20 do so he precipi-
tated his own defeat in the Kelsey matter his
silence in the face of dispatches which repre-
santed him as not only rejecting but resentins
the Presidents assistance went far. II is said'
to render nugatory that assistance which other-
vice would have proved sufficient TO turn the
tide in his favor.
The President accepted as correct Mr
stevens's assertion that thesa dispatches were
sent out without the GoverraNs inspiration or
sanction. and since then he has been too busy
,-i,b nationaI affairs to give much thought TO
the situation in New York Recently the
-ro,bIa makers have been enlarging the al
legation that the President was suggesting the
availability OF Governor Hughes as Nice-Presi-
dent The statement is untrue The suggestion
that Mr. Hughes would make an excellent sec
ond man on the ticket originated at the Capitol
orI not AZ the White House II was first made
nv a Senator who believes that Mr.. Taft viii
be the Presidential candidate and who. speculat-
ing on the situation. remarked that with
Ohio man for first place it would doubtless be
good politics TO pick a New Yorker for second
place. and then asked why Mr. Hughes would
not be the proper man. The President has never
exnressed any opinion whatever on this sub
ject.
Now that the President is doing nothing to
further Mr. Hughes's policies. and also nothing
to retard them. reports are being circulated that
he is seeking to defeat them and that federal
officeholders are working against the Governor.
OF course such statements are entirely without
foundation in fact. The President regards the
public utilities bill as an excellent measure, as
a long stride IN the right direction, and one the
success of which be would be glad TO promote
in any proper way il Governor Hughes desired
his assistance. But whether Mr. Hughes tndi-
Gates a desire for the assistance of the Execu-
tive or not the President will not tolerate any
federal official working against this or. in fact.
any other measure which the Governor may seek
TO have enacted
READY TO ASSIST GOVERNOR