The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-27
GOV. HUGHES
 A FAV0RITE Regarded as Most Avail
 able Man. NEW YORK AGAINST TAFT Roosevelt Won't Attempt to Secure
 Empire State. IT seuthern Republicans Heed Advice Given Them as To Uninstruct- es DeieEates, Conventioa wiii
 Be Interesting.
BL ALFRED ,. STOPPER.

l
 Washington. Jan. 2s-(Speciall-- Since the announcement by Governor Hughes of New York. that he will ac- cept tiie nomination for the Presidency in the event the Republicans of the country regard him as the most avail able man. there is undoubtedly feei- ing of strong hope among those who do not agree with the gentleman now occupying the White House that they will be able to form . combination that may prevent the nomination of Secre- tary Taft at Chicago.
 But at the same time if the opponents of Judge Taft do not make better showing in Ohio they are going to have a hard time to prevent his nomina. ton. And 1t begins to look more and more as if the South will hold the balance of power when the convention meets. If 1t Is anything like solid for the Secretary his friends claim 1t will be impossible to defeat him.
 Just now 1t is taken for granted that Governor Hughes will be presented at the convention aa the candidate of New York State. So far there are no outward indications that President Roosevelt and his closest friends will attempt to secure the Empire State delegation for Taft. It is not probable that they l. WVutu GSNtAtAAy W0 ktOSt 4tDactE VuH " the chances of Secretary Taft in other sections of the country. if the news should go forth that the administration had attempted to Influence the selec- ton of delegates and got whipped out of it's boots
 Taft Not Wanted.
 Only . small element in New York; at least among the professional poll ticians-want Taft. Roosevelt is still | N~t Nkn.w York. and as Taft ia his choice for the nomination. the common people naturs ally would prefer him: but New York in beth parties is boss-rtdden, fact that all the world knows. A few men in eaeh party get together. they issue aFaern and they have to be carried out or thsfe wiil De trouble in the camp. It is entirely diftetent politics from that in many of the Western and
 The wal Street Influence is almost solidly arrayed agathst Roosevelt and Taft. So ia the influence of every big manufacturer who believes in perpetu- attng the existing high protective tariff duties. They do not want even a moderate revision which was promised by the late Mir. Dingley of Maine, author of the bill passed by Congress. Every ''atand-patter" is arrayed a88AA1A A&AS AA ehCGU t1 sHt0 EAl&1tSct chance of bringing about the nomina- ton of. Cannon, Fairbanks or Knox. The financiera back of the big railroad projects would prefer almost any other man for President. than Taft; so 1t hardly seems probable that the Secre- tary can expect any support from New York unless 1t should become evident early in the game that his chances are excellent for the nomination at Chicago.
 Some people predict that before the contest opens up in New York. Presi- dent Roosevelt is just as likely as not to commend his friends and supporters to turn in and do up Hughes. It would be like him. whether there is any show or not to accomplish the purpose.
 Soufhern Republicans.
 If the Southern Republicans heed the advice of ex-Senators Chandler, of New Hampshire. and Kellog. of Louisi- ana. to send uninstructed delegations to Chicago, the game promises to be hard one for Secretary Taft. It would give his opponents an oppor- tuntty to form a combination against him, and If he fails to capture the nomination on the first ballot, few of the old-time Republican politicians who have been heard to discuss the outlook believe that he can win on any of the succeeding ballots
 Not few politicians look for a dead lock at Chicago for several days after the balloting commences. The Taft supporters. however, hoot at the idea. They confidently rely upon the South, the Middle West and the far West to give him the necessary support to enable his friends to bring about his nomination on the first ballot. It will occur to the close observer, therefore, that if the anti-Taft fellows can pre- vent instructions in most of the South ern States, or if Cannon. Foraker. and Fairbanks secure considerable mum Der of Southern delegates 1t Is going to be a mighty hard road for Broth CT" Taft to travel. It all depends upon the struggle that will be made by Southern Republicans who do not train with the referees and officeholders.