New-York tribune., 1908-05-11
SECOND TERM POSSIBLE
DEPENDS ON SESSION.
GOUernor May Deem 1t HIS Duty to
Heed Public Demand.
rBy Telegraph 10 The Tribune. ]

Albany Nav 1O-The extraordinary session Of
the Legislature called by Governor Hughes after
the defeat of his anti-gambling bills will con-
vene tomorrow night On the result easily may
depend whether Governor Hughes viii serve
second term.
Three things certainly will be proposed for re-
consideration-the racing bills, the direct nomi-
nations measure designed to eliminate boss rule
from politics, and the amendments to the Pub
lie Service Commissions law to include tee-
phone and telegraph companies under the Jurls-
dcton OF those commissions
This programme must stand or fall entire
Those who know the Governor and have heard
his recent public speeches know with him there
can be no half way measures He will not re-
main content with the adoption of the racing
bills and the rejection of the other things. He
has sounded public opinion the boss issue;
he has received responses such as no public
speaker mas received upstate in many years
He knows what the people want and has
pledged himself to fight their battles.
Politicians here admit it is absolutely impos-
sible to forecast the result with any degree of
accuracy. If the Governor wins on the gambling
matter, victory the other things appears
likely TO follow as a matter of course. Racing
people say that even if Wallace is elected in the
4Tt1 District they will be- able to swing other
Senators to their side and defeat the bills again
The belief is becoming general among those
who followed the Governor through the Niagara
Orleans District that in such case public indig-
nation would be so violent that a great outcry
would arise for the Governor to take another
term to carry his policies to victory and rebuke
the bosses. Indications are not lacking that the
Governor would deem it his duty to heed such
a demand His Discrimination to take another
term is well known. His friends know of the
sacrifices he made to take this term. and realfze
that far larger ones would be involved if he ran
again. His personal tastes not for office
holding. He considers the responsibilities and
duties far greater than the honor, even with the
trust of the public. His friends say that his
attitude, far as they can judge. is that the
people hardly should expect him to assume SO
great d burden again
But the defeat Of his policies at the extra se5-
sion would alter the situation greatly. Few who
have studied the tenor of his speeches can doubt
that then he would heed the people. who even
now are demanding his denomination in many
ways 1t is quite conceivable that if these
three propositions are enacted into law a situa-
ton may arise from the Governors the
political bosses which will present the necessity
Of fighting for the states welfare 50 vividly as
to cause him to sink every personal considera-
ton, however urgent, TO his service in this cause
Publicly he viii not discuss this matter Even
MS IfIeIuS say Iiey DellCNe ne Is trying reSO-
lutely not to think about it, and viii begin to
consider it only if the actual question arises
Yet the feeling is spreading in political circles
which know the tenacity Of life of the misrep-
resentatve boss that the Governor will see
SCORER or Iatef Inability TO finish the work
he has undertaken in the short time still left of
his first term. And they recall his reiterated
call to battle. 'We in this fight until it is
Won"
There is an impression, but without definite
foundation, that the Governor may reserve his
recommendation of the racetrack matter until
after the special election on Tuesday. 1t is ex-
pected that the two houses tomorrow will hear
the Governors message outlining all or part of
ne work of the session, and Tuesday will
take a recess, possibly for two weeks, during
which the new Senator's vote may be canvassed
and his certificate issued. and any bills intro
duced in accordance with the Governors recon-
mendations may be considered by the commit