New-York tribune., 1908-08-18


the butt of his ridicule, Governor Charles T.
Hughes No two men could ne dissimilar
in looks or mental operations. Governor
Hughes is a man of few words, quiet and uh-
dernonstrative. II is doubtful If he Is so men
tally constituted that he can understand the
Barnes type all. In his first message 10
the Legislature he drove in the stakes for
varied programme of reform legislation; TINS
progra---le was acclaimed from one end of the
State TO the other. AS he began 10
carry out that programme there was an es-
arrangement between him and Mr.. Barnes ana
other State leaders. There were one or TWO
stormy. interviews between Mr.. Barnes ana
the Governor. and then the estrangement be-
came complete. If the friends Of Governor
Hughes correctly interpret his motives MS
willingness to be renominated is prompted
solely by desire to complete the programme
Of reform legislation blocked by various in
terests. some OF which interests were materl-
ally aided by Mr. Barnes. One of the things
that Governor Hughes very much desires Is 10
see the State Insurance Department thor
oughly overhauled under the direction CT a
man of his own choosing. He twice failed in
his efforts to dispace Superintendent Otto Kel-
sey whose term expires next February. III
Governor Hughes is renomnated and re-
elected, a new man will certainly be appointed
in Kelsey's place, and that probably Is one OF
the controlling considerations impellrng the
Governor to again become candidate.
TO RENEW PUBLIC SERVICE FIGHT.
Another consideration is that within the next
two years four Public Service Commissioners
will be appointed, two in each Of the districts
Governor Hughes intends. if nominated and re
elected, to his fight TO have the rele-
phone and telegraph companies placed under
the direction of the Public Service Commits
sions. If the judgment of his friends is cor
rect he feels that the work begun in l9Ot IS
not nearly complete-in fact. only well started,
and that if he did not signify willingness to
sacrifice his personal incIinations in order to
carry cut his constructive legislative pro
gramme he would be falthless to his duty
and would forfeit his own self-respect His
close personal friends unit in saying
that If he followed his personal inclinations'
wholly without reference to the demand OF
public duty, he would quietly drop out Of office
and resume his practice of the law, which, 1t
is conceded. would be most lucrative.
L The antagonism Of various state leaders, while
disappointing to the Governor. has not caused
him finch in this emergency. Since the is
suance of his letter saying that il the party
wanted him he would accept denomination he
has received literally hundreds and thousands
OF letters from organization Republicans, So
called independent Republicans and independent
Democrats pledging their support and best
wishes. Many of these letters say that If he
should not be renominated the writer's would feel
called on vote for the Democratic candidate
for Governor Many of these letters are from
Ieutenants of the state organization leaders VINO
are opposing the Governor and desire his down
fall. In addition TO these personal letters there
is a recurring food of editorial expressions from
independent Republican and Democratic papers
+I,gc thor state f1Tr1saT I'M
ernor for his decision TO be a candidate If the
convention wants him, and almost without ex-
ception predicting his success at the polls. So
that while there is increase in the murmur-
ings of the organization leaders who threaten
reprisals and predict disaster TO the state ticket
II the Governor is renominated. there is this
counter blast OF defiance TO the machine men
coming from unselfish. independent thinking
men all around the state. The Governors
friends expect that within few days, possibly
beginning at the county fairs. the rounds Of
which he is about TO make, he Will state clearly
the need OF carrying out the reform programme
which he advocated in his message two years
ago and which partly blocked by the legis-
lature. If the friends of the Governor speak
with exactness. Mr.. Taft desires his renomina-
ton and election. believing his candidacy will
furnish q moral uplift. not only IN this state
but throughout the country where the public
conscience has been awakened TO the need or
performing public business with an eye single
the public good.
It can be said authorltativey that Governor
Hughes will not attempt to coerce any office
holder or organization man beholden to him into
supporting him in the state contention. II he
is renominated he will continue the Governor
ship with the same energy and good conscience
that have characterized his conduct FOR the past
twenty months. If the convention denies him
denomination he will retire without personal
gret. On September he is II be one Of the
speakers at the opening Of the national cam
paign in Ohio. having been invited on the per
sonal request Of ex-Secretary Taft. His friends
here believe his address at that time will
thoroughly sound the keynote Of the campaign
as to make il impracticable for the New York
State convention to reegate him TO private life
BIG HUGHES GAINS.