Evening star., 1908-01-24

Secretary Taf,s declaration Of hands
off In New York is regarded by politicians
al the Caoitol as one OF the ner.h-
est political strokes yet made IN ms
campaign. It's effect is expected TO ne
beneficial not only TO his own prospects.
but to induce TO republican harmony in
New Work state and avert possible FAC
tional split in the republican party which
might threaten the ticket in the election
Representative Parsons Talks.
No time was lost by the Taft managers
overtures for peace in New York state.
Representative Herbert Parsons. chair
man of the republican county committee
of New York county. left last night for
New York city. lie stated before his de-
parture that he would call a special meet
ing of the county committee to take ac
ton on the candidacy of Gov. Hughes.
Il am in favor of an instructed delega-
ton from the state Of New York to the
Chicago convention for Gov. Hughes" de-
clared Mr.. Parsons. He added that he
and all others would work loyaly to tina,
end Representative Bennett and Repre-
sentative j. Sloat Fassett of New York.
who have been cooperating with Mr.
Parsons. also declared their loyalty to the
movement to indorse Gov. Hughes
In New York city last night State SEN
ator Bracket. president OF the Hughes
State League. gave out an interview, say
ing that there would now be no doubt of
unanimous delegation from New York
state for Gov. Hughes. He added that
the only question remaining wa to make
sure that the delegates to be sent to the
national convention are men sincerely and
earnestly for the nomination of Gov
Hughes to the end. and not those who
VIII be convinced early that he cannot be
nominated and will. therefore, flock to
Secretary Taft or some other candidate
The Southern States.
With the New York situation cleared
up. as it is practically conceded now to
be. interest will shift to the southern
states. That is where the big fight Is to
come of. The question will be whether
delegations shall be sent to Chicago in
structed for Secretary Taft SO as to
ciinch them, or whether they shall go to
the convention untrammeled Of instruc-
tions and free to make such combina-
tfons as the occasion may present and
seem to warrant.
The Taft managers. Of course, will seek
field. and there are no favortte sons
whose feelings are to be considered It
Is said that Secretary Taft has the ad-
vantage over all his competitors in this
guest OF delegates in the south. In the
first place. he has campaign organiza-
tion which can get to work at a moments
notice, and which. indeed, has been at
work In many states for some time
Furthermore, in some of the larger
states. such as Texas and South Caro-
lima. the republican leaders who control
politics are known to be friendly to Sec
retary Taft. and have been planning to
send instructed delegations for him
No other candidate has an organization
at work in the south. and the only ef-
fort thus far made to keep the south unin-
structed was the open letter sent out by
ex-Gov. kellogg and ex-senator Chand-
Ter appealing for uninstructed delegations
Kentucky. Tennessee and West Virginia
are regarded as Taft states. There will
be contests in North Carolina and Geor-
gia and in Arkansas. The other south
ern states will be gone over very thor
oughly by the Taft campaigners who
will have the advantage Of being in the
field with definite candidate. as against
the suggestion of no particular candi-
date.