New-York tribune., 1908-08-22
PRACTICALLY CERTAIN.

PRACTICALLY C6hIA4N'
Governor Hughess denomination may now
be regarded as a practical certainty HVl-
dances of the popular demand for his continu-
ance in Office have multiplied so rapidly since
his announcement of his readiness TO serve an
o+bar form that those who were seeking to
learn the real sentiment Of the state toward
him NOW find little room for doubt. Those VINO
were interested in the question from the point
of view OF the effect its solution would nave
upon Mr. Tafts candidacy appear TO nave oeen
the first to see the force OF the support oeniiu
the Governor, but the state and County, Ieadefs
will not be slow in reaching the same oeciSioi'
Mr. Hughes's personal strength is TOO OBVIOUS
90 be denied and TO all doubters OF IL the re-
markable newspaper support which MS recent
announcement brought forth and the evidences
of popular interest and sympathy e&hlDiteu oE
tbe county fairs which he has just attended
pnst hsve been enlightening. And on the
other hand. the harmful effect on the RepuD-
lican nsrtv. both In this state and at other
crucial points, of repudiating man with SO
snIendid and impressive a record as me GoF-
ernor could not be gainsald'
The Tribune finds great satisfaction IN
reviewing the position which it has taken III
regard TO a second term for the GoVernor- 1t
n,as tbs first to suggest last spring, when nere
WAS q general belief that Mr.. Hughes was de-
termined to retire to private lte tne urgent
need of his denomination 1t expressed tie
belief that the people wanted TO retaIh niS
Sorvices Of AJhanv. and that his ideals of public
obligation were such that he would respolu "
their wishes. 1t exerted itself to secure an
effectixs EXPRESSION of public opinion on the
suhiect and TO arouse the voters to the posi-
h;litv of keeping the Governor in Office II there
v-are 9 sufficient manifestation Of the pQDhc
,riu We early took the position, Whlcn mas
since commended itself 10 political observers
generally that the nomination or MI HugHes
IzouId aid the national ticket in New YORK anu
throughout the country, and so Tar as our Ell
forts have contributed TO bring about the re-
nomination. which is now conceded to De prac-
ticsIly certain. we feel that we have served tne
hest interests of the party, the state ana the
nation.
with the debate over his availability ended
and his denomination among the practlcal Ger
tasn+ies probably much less will be hearu
ohon+ the weakness and much more about the
strength of Mr. Hughes. 1t was Inevitable IN
sncl, q discussion as has been proceeding thal
tba sn+agonism TO the Governor should be e1-
argerated Opposition TO his renomlnatlon was
mapnified into opposition TO his election Most
of the opposition will be found casting It's Vote
for him when the polls are opened. But as
vya have ALWAYS maintained, Mr.. Hughes has a
strength which cannot be computed from Pollti-
cal slmanacs It Will not do to take his
vote of two years ago and deduct from It his
nrobable losses and so estimate his present
strength He is to-day the most effecuVe cam
paigner in the state standing before the puohc
for very real and important issues. he mas
several times in the past, notably Wnen
+hers WAS doubt over the fate of the pub
lic service legislation and that Of the anti
gambling bills. shown his ability TO get the
whole state behind him TO an extraordinary
degree. Some such evidence of his hold upon
the public is likely to be manifested during the
campaign, for he has not appeared on the
stump since he became practised in the art OF
political speaking and since the people got to
know him without eliciting a powerful re-
sponSe.