The Washington herald., 1908-01-23

Tor the Republican Presidential DOmtna.
ton has produced variety of opinion.
among prominent Republicans in Wash.
ington as 10 the significance Of the gov
ernor's action.
Ihere Is no doubt, however. that it has
produced a feeling OF alarm IN the Taft
camp, where confidence has relgned su.
preme ever since the action Of the New
York County Republican Committee In
refusing to indorse Hughes candidacy.
According 70 the Washmgton view. thu
situation yesterday mad changed over
night. All that was needed TO enable tho
Hughes boom to take form was some
such declaration from the governor. and
It is declared that prominent Republicans
IN all parts Of the country will throng
to his support.
Secretary Tafts candidacy had been
gaining strength in the last few weeks.
and President Roosevelt was so carried
away by the reports ne was hearing that
he made his prediction Ihay the Secretary
OF War would be nominated on the first
ballot at Chicago. There seemed 10 be
certain amount of justification for tie
PRESIDENTS hOpefulness. In the absence
OF any declaration of WILLINGNESS TO cntcr
the race on the part Of Gov. Hughes.
some politicians. who do not favor Mr..
Taft, were willing to conclude that IL
seemed hopeless contest for anybody
except President Roosevelt's choice.
Hughes Sentiment Strong.
Republican members Of Congress from
all over the Union have brought stories
70 washington Of the wonderful growth
or sentiment for Gov Hughes. but IL was
their opinion this sentiment would en- mn
ia smoke unless an organized effort were
made 10 crystalline it. Hughes. according
10 what Congressman said. was regarded
throughout the country as the embodi-
ment Of all that was upright and honest
ana IN many places where il has been
toss-up between Taft and Hughes. the
latter has an advantage in that there is
some resentment of the idea that q Pres
ldent of the United States should be Der
mtted 20 pick his successor. To what
extent THIS feeling for the New York
governor will be strengthened If Mr.
Hughes friends get 10 work i'm his be
hat It is too early to predict There
is general opinion that the governor
would have been much stronger had he
announced himself sooner, and his DELAY
IL Is believed here, has added TO the
strength of Taft and other candidates.
VIII work for Governor.
With few exceptions the Per,,tIi,.r
Representatives from New York are con-
WINGED that the right thing for them 10 do
Is TO take of their coats and go 10 vorl,
Tor Gov, Hughes. or course. .Representa-
live Herbert Parsons president Of the
New York County Republican committee
who has cast his lot with Mr.. Roosevelt
and MT. Taft, is not TO be included with
those who take this view RepreseDtati,-.
Bennett, another member of the county
committee, is 10 be counted as anti
Hughes also. But while some of the
other New York Congressman have felt
disappointed over The governors previous
attitude. they. Ike the firm friends Of
Hughes in the state delegation. are now
ready TO take up his cause.
IL was pointed out yesterday bv New
York Congressman. however. that GOV
hughes has not done all that is necessary
TO bring him an the strength that would
naturally come to him. They assert that
ia his promised speech on January n he
must be specific as 10 the PRINCIPLES unon
which he stands and is willing 10 stand
and must not deal merely in generaIftIez
Representative J. Sloat Fassett of FL
mira, who saw President Roosevelt voc
h
time ago that as soon as Mr.. Hughes
should qualify on a Republican Mat
FORM he would be entitled to the supnort
OF the party in New York for the prs
ldental nomination" That Mr. Faesatt
believes that the governor will so ouaU-
~ was indicated by his response n .
question whether he thought Mr.. Hugbos
had fulfilled the conditions mentioned
lie is qualifying very fast" said Mr.
Fassctt
Loeb Keeps out of II.
No comment on the letter Of Governor
Hughes was to be obtained Al the WHIT
House Yesterday. Even William Toab
IT, the Presidents secretary. and one of
the most active Taft workers couId not
be induced 20 say anything Mr. roab
IS candidate for delegate to the Repub-
lean national convention from The dis
trtct which includes the legal residences
Of President Roosevelt ana Secrefar,, of
the Treasury Cortelyou. Secretary Taft
was equally reticent He laughed whom
ever he was asked about the Hughes
letter. Coming out Of the White
House after an hours talk with
The President Mr.. Taft was surrounded
by newspaper reporters. who began firing
questions az him.
What DO YOU think Of the Hughes
announcement asked the reporters.
This is a mighty fine day. isn't it?"
was the repv. Then Mr.. Taft added.
DO you know / don't see that vour
question has any news value whatever2
Anyhow, I can't talk politics: Tn tan,
as long rs You like about retirements
from the army"
Good Material, Says OIcott.
Representative Olcott. a member of the
New York County Republican committee
had this to say:
THE Hughes letter clarifies the situs-
tion. Whether the governor will have
the support Of the Republicans Of the
State. or whether he will be Endorsed bv
the New York County committee m IFS
next meeting, / am not prepared to say.
] don't think any one will DENY that he
is good Presidential timber" Il is nm
derstood that Mr.. Olcott believes that