Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-01
THE HUGHES BOOM
NOT ON THE LEVEL.
Inside Estimate of the New
York Governors Canvass !.
IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE
Two Factions of the Party Seeking,
State Supremacy. !,
POPULARITY IS THE PAWN,
Practical Politicians Regard MoveJ
ment for His Nomination With !
Pronounced Disfavor.
POPULARITY IS THE PAWN
eclaI From Stafr Correspondent

Special From Star Correspondent
NEW YORK. February 1.-The Hughes
boom is not the level so far as tn,
political leaders in this city and state
are concerned. The governor Is being
used as political pawn by two factions,
of the republican party, each seeking 10
serve its own end. at his ultimate ex-
pense. They are trading on his popu-
larity with the people at large, and using.
it as an asset OF their own.
None of these leaders believes that Gov;
Hughes will be nominated at ChicagoA
They think his Endorsement in this statei
merely puts him in the role of a favorite4
son. to be pushed aside when the rear
work is done at Chicago.
They say they are not afraid that thaS
movement will get away from them. be-.
cause they have no confidence in Gov.a
Hughes popularity with the leaders fronr<
other states to whom he is practically.
unknown.
The game in which the governor figures
as a political pawn has for it's object.
the control of the republican organiza-
tion in the state of New York and the
securing OF the state delegation for Sec
retary Taft after the Hughes boom coll
lapses. 1t serves the present purpose
of both factions in this political play tn
tie up with the governor for the mo-
ment. The fight for control of the state
organization will go on under the sur.
face.
Roosevelt VS.. Anti-Roosevelt
1t is contest between the Roosevelt
and anti-Roosevelt elements in the party
fDr vvt.
tical politicians are taking sides as their
interests and affiliations dictate. While
warning bitterly among themselves they
all unite In loud acclaim of Gov. Hughes
They do Ii because neither side could af-
ford to seem to be fighting the governor
| in this hour of his popularity. They do
not hesitate to admit in private conver-'
sation that the Endorsement of Gov.
Hughes Is intended and will prove to be-
an empty compliment to all practical in-,
tents and purposes.
President Roosevelts friends are night,
Ing with consummate political skill for
control of the organization. Unprejudiced
politicians who are in close touch with
the progress of the contest are OF thax
opinion that the Roosevelt faction will
win in the end, and not only will .controL
the machine in New York city. but Will
dominate the organization in the state.
Former Gov. Odell, who has been In
political eclipse for a couple of years be-
lieves his sun is rising again. He is In
the political harness once more and wilt
try to reha affiliate himself He has made
up with some elements with which he has
been al odds for the past two years and
is willing to let bygones be bygones.t
There Is talk of an alliance between Mr..
Odell and Mr.. Frank S. Black, two men,
who have been political enemies since
Odell turned down Black for the Senate
and allowed Senator Depew to be re-
elected. This alliance would be for tho
purpose of resisting the efforts of thei
Roosevelt republicans to control the state,
No Words of Loyal Support.
In the forty-eight hours that I have,
been in New York talking with upstate,
republicans who came here to attend tho
Hughes reception last night and the amen,
corner dinner tonight I have not heard
one word of loyal support of Gov Hughes.
for the presidency. On the contrary,
have been told time and again by republi-
cans of prominence that the object of the
present support of Gov. Hughes for tha;
presidential nomination is not with either
the hope or the idea of nominating him.,
but solely 10 forward the struggle for,
control of the state machine.
The practical politicians-that is the
political leaders and managers. not tho
rank and file of republicans. but the men
who pull the wires-do not like Gov.
Hughes. and would not make him Presi-
dent if they could. Their dislike is
grounded upon his political isolation:
they cannot get to him and cannot do
business" with him. He is playing a
political game peculiarly his own and ons>
which they do not understand
He is the kind of fellow" said one Of
these leaders. who, if we should elect
him and then ask him for something.
would hand us pitcher of ice water.
The expression sounds brutal and sordid.
but it typifies the feeling existing among
a great many of the district leaders in
this city and upstate. Here is another
mn .ly hat we la ma ~ ~
wants to have the presidential nomination
administered to him by hypodermic in
jection?
Lack Faith in Governor.
The political managers base their lack
of faith in Gov. Hughes securing the,
nomination upon the ground that he is
not known to national politicians: that
ne is not acquainted with national af-
fairs, and that the leaders in the various
states will be unwilling to trust un
tried. unknown and inexperienced man
in the White House. They think it might
be possible TO nominate him for the wire
presidency, TO give him some ex-
perience at Washington. but the gov
ernor's friends declare that positively ha:
will not take second place.
The ovation given Gov. Hughes at ths
reception rendered him last night by tho
Republican Club was notable. but all the
time it was going on the politicians out
of earshot of the governor We're discuss-
ing the propositions that l have set FORTH
a bove openly and shamelessly The par-i
tisans of the Roosevelt faction made no
attempt to conceal their intention OF US
ing the Hughes boom to cinch up Secra
tary Taft for second choice of the New
York delegation and 10 enable them TO
hold their own in the city organization
They have not the slightest doubt or
success and their confidence in the work
ing out of their plans has produced
feeling of good humor. They are be-
ginning to drop hints now TO the anti
Roosevelt faction about some vacant seats
on the bandwagon, with intimations TO
get aboard.
Governors Speech overshadowed.
All the politicians were laughing today
over the blanketing of Gov. Hughes
t1a