New-York tribune., 1908-01-03
TO BOOM GOV. HUGHES.
FRIENDS MEET IN ALBANY
First Steps To1card Forming State
Vide League Taken.
ERy Telegraph to The Tribune.

Albany, Jan. 2-First steps toward the for
nation Of a state league to bring about Cow
ernor Hughes's Presidential nomination, with
branches in every Assembly district in the state,
were taken to-day at meeting of some of his
friends here. Future meetings of the men who
attended this conference will be called from time
to time to take up details of the work of get
tingean instructed delegation from this state to
the national convention.
The meeting was held this afternoon at the
New Kenmore Hotel-a hotel somewhat of the
beaten track of politicians at the capital There
we're present Charles H. Young, president of
the Republican Club, of New York; John A
Sleicher, A. r. Smith A. B. Humphries and
Senator Alfred r Page. constituting the com
mittee appointed recently at the Manhattan Hotel
conference to further the formation of state
Hughes League; Congressman Waldo. of Brook
lyn; Senators Travis. Fancher, Cassidy. Cobb.
Tully and Smith, Mayor Henry Hudson of Hud-
son and State Committeeman Horace O. Ten
nant of Schoharie and Cornelius V Collins, of
Rensselaer,.
Considerable informal discussion brought out
the views of most of those in attendance on the
advisa bility of concerted action toward the
choosing of Hughes delegates. Finally resolu-
tions were adopted providing that the friends
Of the Governor should send to Senator Page, as
chairman of this conference. the name of one
o'ee'C
was devoted to the Governors cause WITH
these men will be taken UP the proposition or
forming Hughes leagues in each Assembly
district, to become members of a central BODY.
Legislators and politicians here, of whatever
political complexion, are taking the greatest IN
terest in this new development. Even the Gov
ernors enemies admit that there is much Hughes
sentiment in the state. The list of those who
attended the meeting is being canvassed eagerly
tonight and political antagonists of the Gov
ernor are trying to draw comfort from the TACT
| that the meeting was comparatively small and
was not attended by several legislators expected
to be present or by any Of the state leaders OF
standing. They drew significance from the alb
sence of Senators Armstrong and Hnman and
Assemblyman Merritt, although Armstrong was
in Washington, Hnman handling a legal case
in Binghamton and Merritt on his way to St
Lawrence County.
Senator Raines who is in town. did not at
tend the meeting. He said he had been asked
to go, but thought that this government was
one which could be left with safety and pro-
priety in the hands of the people. Senator Cas-
sidy. who halls from Congressman Fassetts
district. after the meeting ventured the opinion
that while Mr.. Fassett now seemed to have great
difficulty in giving UP the idea that President
Roosevelt should have another term in which
to carry out his policies. his ideas would change
"At the proper time" predicted Mr. Cassidy.
Congressman Fassett will be found to be one
of the most enthusiastic Hughes men in the
state. He will realize that the work wisely
begun by Roosevelt can be carried out only by
Hughes. possibly a trife different in method. but
the same great work.