Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-08-01
TAFT NEUTRAL
IN NEW. YORK
sQUABBLE
LEADERS BESIEGE
HITCHCOCK IN VAIN
National Chairman Declines to
Declare For or Against Gov
ernor Hughesi Has No Mes
sage From Roosevelt or Taft,
IBy Morning journal special Leased whe.I


IBy Morning journal Special LEASED Wheel
New York, July 31.-lf the repub-
lican political leaders Of New York
state, who conferred today with Frank
II. Hitchcock, chairman Of the repub-
lican national committee, hoped to
draw from the Tast manager an ex-
preston Of opinion as to the wisdom of
renominating Governor Hughes for a
second term or of turning him down,
they were keenly disappointed. Prac-
tically the entire day was spent by Mr.
Hitchcock in listening to state leaders
expound their Views on the governor
ship question, but he told them all that
it was not part of his duties to pick
candidates for state tickets. He said
that he would not consent to take any
part in purely state campaigns, so long
as no party breach that might endan-
ger the national ticket was threat
ened.
Not only did Mr. Hitchcock conceal
his own preference in regard to the
governorship, but he successfully elud-
ed every effort on the part of his cali
ers to learn whether President Roose-
welt and Judge Taft were in favor Of
the denomination of Governor Hughes.
He said he had not discussed the sub
iect with Judge Taft at Cincinnati.
nor had he received any communica-
ton from Mr.. Roosevelt regarding the
matter
Among the leaders who saw Mr..
Hitchcock were Timothy L. Woodruff,
state chairman; Herbert Parsons,
chairman Of the New York county
committee, and William l.. Ward.
member of the national committee,
representing this state. Very little
was learned about the governorship,
hut that the conference will not result
In clarifying the situation to any great
extent Is tonegded
Messrs. Parsons and Woodruff
sought information as to Judge Taft's
wishes, and did not get it, They learn
ed instead that Mr.. Hitchcock had ad-
vised in the past and would counsel in
the future that the management Of the
national campaign should be conduct
ed so as not to become involved In any
state disputes of factional nature. He
urged that the state convention was
the proper machinery to be used in
settling their political controversies. II
Is believed that in this matter Mr.
Hitchcock reflects Mr.. Taft's attitude
That Mr.. Taft thinks highly of Mr.
Hughes Is known, and at his request
Governor Hughes will make one of the
principal speeches at the opening of
the campaign at Youngstown, Ohio
At the same time, 1t is urged that IL
does not follow that Mr.. Taft will ex-
press himself In favor of the COVER
nor's denomination nor attempt to in
fluence New York state republicans In
the matter. At recent republican con-
ferences in the west it developed that
Mr. Hughes was popular in a number
of debatable states. and some of the
participants in the conferences did not
hesitate to express the opinion that the
governor should be renominated In or.
der 10 strengthen the republican ticket
During the day contracts We're made
for the equipment of the quarters on
the tenth floor of the Equitable Life
tower, which will be opened tomor.
row
William Loeb, Jr., private secretary
to President Roosevelt. was a caller
today. but Mr.. Hitchcock declares hli
mission was personal one. Mr.. Hitch,
cock will be here until about Angus
IL, with the exception of probably
next Tuesday when he plans to go t.
Washington on political business. Th'
Chicago quarters will be ready Au
gust / 5.