New-York tribune., 1908-08-16
ALL EYES ON NEW YORK
MANY LETTERS TO TAFT.
Secretary Unght Discusses InsulGr
affairs 5citH Candidate.
lnr r.I.rr.ph . Ts. Trioune-


them from political leaders. The very large ma
jority OF the writers advocate the denomination
of Governor Hughes I am taking part IN
New York state politics. and assume that the
Republicans Of New York are amply capable os
selecting the best man. tut must admit that
most OF the letters I have received thus far
favor the Governors denomination"
This statement made by Judge Taft to-
day when asked what information had reached
hiE1 regarding tie political situation in the En-
pire State. He added further. for the benefit ot
the Secretary OF War. VINO was presC = that
one Of the letters strongly advocating Mr.
Hughes's denomination had come from John
Watkins. Of Westchester County. Mr.. Watkins
being son-in-Iaw Of General Wright Mr.
Watkins assured the Presidential candidate that
the Republicans Of Westchester County strongly
advocate Governor HUghes's denomination II
was also learned that some Of the men who
have written TO Judge Taft admit frankly that
they do not like Governor Hughes personally,
while others go TO outline his weakness as Z
candidate, declaring that he has gone out OF his
way TO affront the politicians and the party or
ganization and has made enemies unnecessarily
but even these declare that the party can win
only BY nominating equally strong and
they submit that such man Is 10 be found
The fact is that politicians coming here from
all sections of the country other than New
YORK are amazed at what they hear OF the
political situation II that state and they are
all eager for inside information on the sub
ject They have supposed that it would be only
necessary for Governor Hughes TO admit that
he would accept the nomination for his party
TO seize upon the opportunity OF placing 50
strong at the head OF the state ticket.
Moreover, they declare. almost without excep-
ton. that the very fact that the Republican
party of New York had again nominated Mr..
Hughes would strengthen the ticket through
out the country, because it would be taken as
an earnest that the Republicans Of the Empire
State serious in their determination TO
overthrow the "old guard and 20 identity the
party with those higher principles and cleaner
politics with which Governor Hughes stands
identified before the entire country.
They say that the Governor is factor in
national politics. that the preference OF Judge
Taft. with his unparalleled knowledge OF fed
eral affairs and his experience in formulating
many of the Roosevelt policies. could under no
circumstances be regarded as derogatory TO the
Governor, and that the Republican party
OF New York has an opportunity head its
ticket with a name so well and favOrably
known. they are at a loss to understand the
political acumen the lack OF IT. which seems
10 render the decision Of the state convention
prOblematicaI.
INSULAR MATTERS DISCUSSED.
Judge a
his day comforting with Secretary Wright over
affairs regarding the Philippines Panama and
Cuba The advisabIlity Of taking advantage of
the opportunity afforded by legislation enacted
at the last session Of Congress authorizing the
appointment OF additional member OF the
Philippine Commission and the creation OF
new department was extensively discussed
Judge Taft and Secretary Wright reached the
decision that while new commissioner should
the expense of the Philippine government by
creating a new department II had been pro-
posed to create department Of agriculture. out
the agricultural affairs of the islands are being
administered by the Department OF the Interior
satisfactorily and neither MI Taft nor the Sec
retary of War believed that it would be eco
nomicaIy wise 10 create new department OF
that character
Certain measures OF reorganization proposed
BY Colonel GoethaIs, chairman OF the Isthunian
Canal Commission, which have been submitted
to General Wright. he IN turn laid before Mr.
Taft who gave him the benefit OF his long ex-
perience with isthmian affairs The proposed
changes are the result OF Jackson Smiths resig-
nation from the commission and the filing of
his place by Major Devol- Colonel Goethals's
plans were generally approved
The most important topic affecting Cuba which
was taken up was the question TO which %
as incidental 20 military occupation and re-
peaIed with the Inauguration OF the Presi-
dent and which should be preserved an in
tegraI part Of Cuban law Governor MagOoa
has submitted a report. which was laid before
Judge Taft and which he advised Secretary
Wright 20 approve
During the course OF the day, Manuel Quezon.
floor leader Of the Nationalist party in ths
Philippine Assembly. accompanied by A c. Es-
camilla formerly secretary to Emilio Aguinaldo
and now secretary 10 SenOr Ocampo. Philippine
commissioner TO Washington. called 20 pay their
resrects 10 their great and good friend. Gov
ernor Taft" Sehor Quezon has recently paid
semi official visit 10 Russia where he made
careful study Of the Russian Dctna. which
he assured Judge Taft was not nearly 50 rep
resentative a body as the Philippine Assembly.
PRAISE FOR MISSIONARIES.
Judge Taft paid high praise to-day TO the
work of the Christian missionaries in the Orient
his attention having been called 70 the tribute
paid to his work in the Philippines and certain
OF his speeches in China and Japan by the
Methodist Missionary Bishop Of China. the Right
Rev John Bashford- Judge Taft said that he
had observed with care and regarded with high
admiration the work OF the Christian mission
aries in the Orient whose missionary estab-
llshments were in every instance the nucleus OF
Western civfIiza ton. teaching not only religion
but principles and practices OF the Western
world 10 the people of the Far East He said
that wherever a mission was established a
good house a substantial church and school
were established. and that these constituted the
advance posts OF civilization He spoke espe-
cialIy OF the missionaries ne had met among
them Bishop Harris, Methodist Bishop OF japan