The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-09-03
FEEL FREE ABOUT HUGHES
LEADERS THINK ROOSEVELT
LEFT DECISION TO THEM.

However, q Disinterested Person Has Bet
to I That the Governor wan BE Re-
nominated, Although the Machine
viii Control the Saratoga Convention.
There has been no tuneup In national
politics in the State Of New York since
the national convention. One hears very
little about Taft and less about Bryan.
The chief interest is in the G~ubernatorial
situation OF the State. Practically speak
ing therejs just as much over the
candidate for Governor the Democrats
are to name as there Ii In the Hughes
situation.
There is no mistake about this state
ment. Naturally. the Republicans being
In power In the State and occupying the
affirmative position from the Executive
Chamber, there Ia more real rightdown
interest in the Republican situation.
All sorts Of opinions may be, obtained.
For instance. it was made now last
night that a layman, n who said he q
no interest in the Hughes~- eituation. bet
$500 to 500 that Gov. Hughes would be
renominated. He made the wager merely
as a money proposition. having no interest
one way or the other In the troubles OF
the Republicans.
William L. Ward, Republican national
committeeman for the State. returned
yesterday from his visit to President
Roosevelt at Oyster Bay. Silas McBee.
editor Of The Dhxrchmdn. one Of the
Presidents guests on Tuesday, had an
nounced that the President thought 1t
would be wisdom for the Republican
organization Of the State to renominate
Gov. Hughes. Mr.. Ward was asked fer
mis- Interpretation Of the Presidents views
on this matter. MIR. Ward replied:
u have no idea other than that MIR.
McBee correctly stated the views OF the
Presidents position. l believe the Presi-
dent did repeat to Mr.. McBee. his belief
that the Republican party. should re-
nominate the Governor. There was no
news in that as far as was co~ncerned.
-The President made it clear that he
spoke as a private citizen. He has a
car find fault with him for expressing an
opinion he is known to hold; but he
sent no intimation to any one through me
that he wished or expected the organiza-
ton to support the Governor. i am sure
that the President would not go to the
extent Of Furnishing any n for. ior dii m es,ns
u IollI I'LL AA0
right to his own opinion and he q no
inclination to dictate to- anybody. l
think he wants that distinctly understood.
and l think all who have talked with him
understand that
Mr.. Ward said that the names Of sew
eral Republicans would be presented TO
the Saratoga convention.
President Parsons OF the New YORK
Republican county committee had nothing
to say about Mr.. McBee's interview at
Oyster Bay. and neither had Chairman
Timothy l.. Woodruff Of the State com
Woodruff has received a letter from
the President which q great number
Of Republicans have had q glance at.
and in this letter the President practically
takes the ground which Mr.. Ward illus
trated in his interview; that is. that while
the President believes that 1t would be
political wisdom to renominate the
as a private citizen and will not enforce
his views as President, This was inter
preted to mean that the President left the
matter entirely and wholly In the hands
Of the Republican State organization,
and It alone must be responsible for the
ooH " Is It = a %sItsr at q ss faot IA. the Rspub.
by Mr.. Woodruff, Mr.. Ward. Mr.. Barnes.
Mr.. Hendricks and others. will have at
their back in the Saratoga convention
rs per cent. OF the 1.0il delegates. the
rs per cent. having been elected at prima,
ries controlled by these Republicans, and
the question at Saratoga will come down
to the simple one on the part Of these
politicians: We have the delegates by a
vast majority to beat Gov. Hughes's re-
nomination.; have we the sand to direct
these delegates to turn the Governor
down?
That's the situation in q nutshell.