New-York tribune., 1908-08-23
MONROE is FOR HUGHES
ROCHESTER, HEARD FROM.
Caution of G. W. 4ldridge Not
Manifested by Other Republicans.

Rochester. Aug 21-The sentiment in the city
of Rochester. as well as in the outlying towns OF
-he county, in favor of Governor Hughes is what
might be called an overwhelming sentiment
that is 10 say four out of every five Republicans
in the city of Rochester and nine out Oh every
ten in the county towns, are emphatically IN
favor of the denomination of the Governor.
Mayor Edgcrton, a hard-headed. blunt ana
thoroughgoing Republican, says that the Mon
roe delegation, with thirty y-five votes, VIII uh-
doubtedly be for Hughes, and that to REJECT
him would invite reprisals from thousands oi
Independent voters.
The man at the ton George W. Aldridge, the
leader of the Republican organization in TINS
CITY saws nothing "a all about the renomnat1on
Of the Governor He has been waiting MT
Aldridge was the first vice-presfdent OF 'he
state Hughes League of which eX-Sehatoi
Bracket was president. and which was organ
lied to further the interests of Governor Hughes
as a candidate for the Republican nomination
for President. This distinction. which MT. Al
bridge cheerfully accep5cd, marked him at me
time as a stanch friend and admirer of the
Governor. Mr. Aldridge has said nothing which
would indicate that he is not on the most
friendly terms with the Governor.
The Tribune correspondent spent good deal
of time to-day trvIng to discover just how Mr.
Aldridge stands with reference to Governor
Hughes Mr. Aldridge has been skeptical ABOUT
the availability of Governor Hughes as candl-
date to succeed himself He has consulted the
state leaders about the Governor, and he mas
talked with ward and town leaders in this city
and Monroe County. He has been impressed
by the fact that two years ago the regular ne
publican ticket with the exception of Governor
Hughes was soundly beaten. The election OF
Governor Hughes he regards as more OF an anti
Hearst manifestation than Republican victory.
In the election two years ago, very much TO the
surprise of Mr Aldridge, the Democrats carried
the city OF Rochester, which ordinarily goes
Republican 1t is fact that the Democrats Oh
Monroe County, aided by the state organizatlon'
are cunning for Mr.. Aidridge. There is very
large organized labor vote in Rochester, and in
recent wears the Democrats have been making
large accessons in this direction. Last year the
Republicans barely defeated the Democrats in
the mayoralty fight. electing Hiram w. Edger-
ton by plurality of 1,1S4 over William Ward,
regular Democrat These circumstances have
caused Mr. Aldridge and his leutenants a good
deal of uneasiness, with the result that Mr.
Adridge acts with very great caution
ORGANIZING HUGHES CLUBS.
The indecison of the state leaders in uniting
on candidate against Hughes has made senti-
ment for the Governor very fast in the city of
Rochester. Republicans who three weeks ago
were undecided as 10 whom they wanted for
Governor openly declare that Hughes is the
strongest man. Hughes clubs are being organ
lied in strong organization wards in Rochester,
prominent business men and farmers through
out the western part of the state falling in
line for The Governor, and the drift is steadily
of a nature to indicate the denomination of the
Mr.. Hughes.
Mr. Aldridge was returning from his vacation
Rt Block Island when Governor Hughes made
the announcement that the will of the party to
which he belonged should be freely expressed,
and that it should take such action would be
most closely in accord with public sentiment.
When Mr.. Aldridge was asked about that state
ment he said that he was heartily in accord
with it. When seen to-day by The Tribune
respondent he merely repeated his former state
ment.
When The Tribune correspondent asked Mayor
Edgerton to-day concerning his attitude tow
ard Governor Hughes the Mayor said:
Il am in favor of the denomination of Gov
ernor Hughes, and / believe that that is the
prevailing sentiment in the city of Rochester
and in the county of Monroe. 1 fully expect
that the delegation from Monroe County will
vote for Hughes. do not speak for the or
ganization. 1 am meeting Republicans in vari-
Gus walks of life here at my office day by day,
and i have taken pains to sound them The
drift is all in favor of Governor Hughes. I
think the opposition TO him is wearing away.
He is a very capable and courageous man, able
to furnish a reason for everything that he has
done that has provoked criticism Unquestion
ably he has acted on the side of good morals
in every exigency which has confronted him.
When a Republican gets the right end of
moral question he is hard man to down. 1t
is the glory of the Republican party that It is
rio of
ing morals 1t has been the weakness of the
Democratic party for years that it usually takes
the other end. That is the principal reason why
the Republicans have continued in power in this
state for so many years and why the Demo-
Gratis are disorganized- Hughes stands for the
things which the average Republican stands for
We may not agree with him to his methods
in attaining his objects, but 1t is very hard 10
disagree with him any stand that he deib-
eratelv assumes. L look to see Hughes renom-
mated and reelected. If we fail to renominate
him il would afford the Democrats a mighty
good chance to rally the independents against
us l understand full well that there is oppo-
sition TO him and that a good many sincere
organization men are opposed 10 him. would
rather take chance on coaxng organiza-
ton friends into line than provoking the indie
pendent Democrats, who certainly seem to favor
the denomination and reelection OF the Cow
ernor."
COUNTY NORMALLY REPUBLICAN.
Republicans have got into the habit OF as
sumng that Monroe County is a strong Repub-
lican county. In 1904 Roosevelt received 30
IA TO 16,5:}9 for Parker; Higgins received 27,-
S44, and Herrick 1888 Two years later
Hughes carried Monroe County by the reduced
plurality of 2.I30 and lost the city of Roches-