The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-03
Nomination of a Candidate for
Governor Making Trouble.
PEOPLE WANT HUGHES
Politicians and Special Interests
Are Against Him.
The Governor Has the Endorse
ment of Mr.. Roosevelt.

New York, Sept. 5.-Overshadowing
the existence of the principal Republi-
can and Democratic national head
quarters in this city is the question of
the political future of Charles Evans
Hughes.
The Republican party of New York
state is between the devil and the
deep sea. Whether it renominates
Governor Hughes or whether it ac
cepts Jimmy Wadsworth, jr., or some
other opposing leader. it must answer
for this act. Whatever the action it
is bound to find reflection in the Re
publican vote at the November polls.
Since New York can make or break
a presidential nominee, this vote at
the November polls is matter of ma
tiOnal Importance For this reason
Charles Evans Hughes is today as
much as an issue before the Ameri-
can people as ever he was when dis
closing insurance scandals, when rul-
ing fearlessly through his first term
at Albany or when his name was pre-
sented to the Republican convention
as a presidential possibility.
The Republican bosses of New York
seek to prevent Hughes denomination.
Nor are the bosses alone. The gov
ernor has made himself obnoxious to
a vast number of New Workers. The
OppOSiLlOA sentiment St6IIlo 10 DC
crystalizing around James W. Wads-
worth, 5r., speaker of the last assem-
bly,. The Niagara county Republican
convention has already endorsed
young Wadsworth, after tabling a
Hughes resolution by a vote of "A to 8.
Some idea of the intensity of the
feeling against Hughes may be gath
cred from the fact that at a recent
race meeting in this state after the
governor had spoken to the. crowd
from the grandstand the racing men
refused to proceed with the races un-
til the governor had left the grounds.
This is their answer to Hughes insist
ence upon an anti-betting bill. This
bill finds reflection in many ways
throughout the commonwealth. The
great F'uturity at Sheepshead bay, for
example, was the strangest Futurity
ever run in the history of the Ameri-
can turf because 1t was run without a
single public wager on a single horse
Governor Hughes, however, has
hosts of staunch friends. who fear the
dire results Of his possible defeat.
Word has gone forth from Sycamore
Hill that President Roosevelt favors
Hughes. Chairman Hitchcock of the
national committee, however, has in
dicated a belief that Hughes should be
renominated and Secretary Straus.
New Yorks member of Roosevelt's
cabinet, has declared that Hughes
should be returned.
THE leaders are opposed to the re-
nomination of the governor and be-
lieve they can defeat him." says Mr..
Straus But if the people are for the
governor, the leaders, as the peoples
servants. must interpret that senti-
ment in their decisions. Twenty-Five
years experience in public life has
convinced me that the leader who
does not reflect the sentiment of his
constituents is unwise."
Last week at Ithaca, Governor Hughes
was given a Veritable ovation. He made
a splendid speech and as a result of his
day there acquired the support of lead
ing Ithaca newspaper together with lead
ing political powers of Tompkins county.
A bird's-eye view of the situation would
lead to the prophecy that Governor
ures. while bittery opposed in many
quarters, are nevertheless popular His
sterling integrity is so strongly apparent
that it looks as though it might be politi-
cal suicide for the Republican party to
neglect it. If the controlling leaders of
the state, however. were to have their
way Mr.. Hughes would leave the political
map forever
In view of the effect which the New
York gubernatorial nomination must
necessarily have on the presidential sit
uation, however. the question of Hughes's
nomination or retirement must be care
fully weighed before decision is given.
The situation is one altogether unique In
the political history of New York.