New-York tribune., 1908-08-03
Mr. HUGHES HAS FRIENDS, TOO.

uR RUGHES HAS FRIENDS. TOO.
The editorial comment from the newspapers
of the state which The Tribune has been re-
pripting from day to day is striking evidence
of n public demand for Governor Hughes's re
nomination. Almost every important Republican
and independent newspaper in New York State is
for him. and he is almost equally strong among
the minor Republican papers throughout the
rural sections. This may be accepted as faith
full reflection of public opinion. If the people of
the state were Indifferent to Mr.. Hughes. no
such remarkable expression in his favor would
be found IN the newspapers. For the purpose
of Judging unorganized public opinion the at
titude of the press is the most important and
most readily available test. However imper-
feet 1t may be, at least this much holds true
that when the sentiment Of the newspapers Is
overwhelmingly one way the sentiment of the
public is not likely to be Overwhelmingly the
other And vet that is what some Of the op-
ponents of Governor Hughes would have us
believe.
The chief argument that is made against the
denomination Of the Governor is that in the
performance of what he conceived to be his
duty he has made enemies. Undoubtedly ne
has made some, though their number may De
easily exaggerated. but he has also made friends
as well. There are few men in public life TO-
day who have as devoted admirers as ne mas.
They are to be found among the host or inoe-
pendent voters without whose support the Re-
publican party cannot look for success In
state as close as New York usually is, and they
are also to be found, these supporters VINO ad-
rnire Mr. Hughes with extreme moral earnest
ness. within the ranks of the Republican party.
The friends he has made have TO be taken into
the reckoning jrst as much as the enemies he
has made
His friends may be brought to the support of
the Republican state ticket TO certainty, and
probsbly also in q considerable proportion to
the support Of the Republican national ticket
by his denomination, Is there any such GER
tainty that his enemies can be induced TO sup
port the ticket by nominating some one else
for Governor?
The Republican party has been closely iden-
titled with Mr. Hughes's policies. The anti
gambling bills. which are regarded as having
caused considerable feeling against the Gov
er-nor among certain class. w"r0 n"Ssed by
Republican Legislature. 0a!% two h,nocratc
Senators voted in favor of the measures They
were practically party measures. The pressure
for their passage was strongest among that
element in the community from which the Re
publican party is chiefly recruited. and in those
parts of the state where the party is strongest
They were proposed by the Governor, but their
effective support sprang from the conscience of
responsible as the leader of the movement, but
the party. too is certain to be held to almost
equal responsibility by a large proportion OF
those who are angry at this and other legisla-
ton IF the Republican party fails to renom-
mate Mr. Hughes It will ALLEVIATE his strong per
sonal support in doubtful attempt to win
back votes which are probably lost to it in any
event.
The party, moreover. will have to enter the
e. baSfc cd
mlnistration. It will have to indorse it any
other course is unthinkable. It will have to
point with pride to his public service legislation.
When it is considered where the chief strength
of the party is and how 1t feels 1t cannot depre-
cate. regret or even ignore the passage of the
anti-gamblng bills, but must stand for them
too Its strength with the people, whatever it
is will be the success of the Hughes admins
tration. It cannot repudiate Mr.. Hughes and
run upon his strength and popularity as an
administrator. It cannot divorce itself from
Mr.. Hughess record If it would.