New-York tribune., 1908-08-27
HUGHES WINS FARMERS
IN SARATOGA COUNTY.
Reception Cool at First, but Hearty
Before Speech Ended.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

to-day. 10 speak at the SdIdtoSd SooiitJ N-
here. Although he probably made no converts
among the disciples of the Personal Liberty
ague, he did demonstrate with force which
surprised the few horsemen who came down
from Saratoga that outside of that community
there is a vigorous sentiment supporting him IN
this county, coupled with an admiration for past
., FINANCES and desire to see him renomi-
mated.
The Governors audience to-day consisted al
most entirely of farmers and townspeople or the
county outside of Saratoga Springs. Probably
there were not two hundred Saratogians at the
fair grounds including two women and man
who faunted Personal Liberty flags in the Gov
ernor's face The sporting crowd showed their
dislike the Governor by staying away, in
stead of by hostile demonstration, which many
of the more hotheaded among them had planned.
Yet even the audience of three thousand farmers
was distinctly cold at first and it was not until
the Governor half way through his speech
that he won his hearers When he had finished
he had them with him the few irrecon-
ciIables Even his opponents admitted that
Briefly the situation in this county is far
more favorable to Governor Hughes, even po-
lticaly than his adversaries VIII believe. Inc
professional politicians are against him. as they
are in most other parts Of the state Ex-Sena-
tor Brackett, once counted an ardent Hushes
man xhen he had personal interests at STAKE
now is known to be anti-Hughes since those
schemes came to naught owing to the Gov
ernor's Discrimination being used Horsemen
and their camp followers of every description
are nti-Hughes. Business men in saratoga
Strings who have suffered a bad season are
anti Hughes; but seemingly the bulk OF the
people outside of these classes admire the Gov
ernor respect him and will vote for MIN again
gladly if they have the opportunity or course
the delegates from here to the state convention
will be anti Hughes men, though probably not
instructed but to-day's occurrences lnolcate
that anti-Hushes votes would misrepresent the
county at large.
NET BY POLITICIANS
Governor Hughes was met at the station here
by n moderate sized throng OF townspeopie'
representatives OF the Saratoga County Agri-
cultural Society and some politicians, including
ex-senator Bracket County Judge lockwood
and Bartlett Grippen, ex-County treasurer WHO
is strong in the rural districts. The others shooK
hands with the Governor. but Sheriff Bradley
now under charges Of failure to suppress gam
hing did not This was the only part the pom
ticians took in the Governors reception
Detailed to escort the Governor was Company
L. I'd Regiment Of Saratoga II had come a.
the invitation of the fair authorities out Only
after a lively fight within the company. most
OF the members refusing outright TO meel Gov
Hugnes L'eNSTlHtI'Ss tiV i4iN'A '-'
up the hill from the station to the fair grounds
ahead of the automobile in which he rode Ihe
streets were lined with people. but there was no
appIause as there usually is at such affairs
Occasionally there would come burst or mana
ella pping, as frequently there would be loud
teer which the Governor could hardly nave
helped hearing.
At the fair grounds there only an aver
age attendance and the Governors arrlNai
seemed TO excite little interest at first. There
was a mild cheer but the audience seemed
stolfd. The Governor began his speech tellnS
of the work the state government was doing to
encourage agricultural education. Gradually
people strayed over from the stables and hen
houses to listen to him. But it was only when
the Governor got down to a discussion or the
DUTY OF every citizen toward the state. with Il
deunnciation of special interests or political
bosses who would for private gain run counter
to the best interests of the people. that he
reused real interest
WON OVER OPPOSITION.
Then he met the Saratoga County people on
their ground and won them over to MS
views on one phase of the racing situation
.No community can prosper by defiance of
law and order" ne declared and the crowd
cheered-really cheered.
So too. when he spoke of a new and prosper
or shock the conscience" And later when he
declared his desire to the Will of the people
expressed in all methods of nomination and
.1ection the farmers showed thorough approval
of his advocacy of the direct nominations sys-
TEN.
II have talked with good many men here to-
day" declared Secretary Witbeck of the Agri-
cultural Society. and my judgment is that out
side of Saratoga Springs the sentiment of the
county is strongly for denomination of the
Governor I'm a Hughes man first. last and
all the time. and you'll find many Democrats.
members OF our organization who say the same
thing | think the farmers, a class,
for him. in spite of the racing legislation. Now,
youn hear a lot of talk about Hughes having
killed Saratoga. and the whole county. for that
matter It's all rot The racetrack people built
the racetrack but they never built any hotels
or houses Before the PercyGray law Saratoga
was a prosperous community Ever since racing
and gambling came it has been going down hill
and real estate values have fallen off. Bus
mess for the farmers is worse than usual,
and il Saratoga came back to what it used to
be it might be much better for u.s.
c. j. Kellogg of Clifton Park, Republican
supervisor and a representative farmer. said he
had discovered no anti-Hughes sentiment in his
district.
I'm for Hughes he said; hes true blue. I
guess the whole Republican organization will be
when the time comes. If it's wise. 1 could name
twenty Democrats up my way who will vote for
Hughes If he's renominated."
Edward Clauson. of Ballston Centre. said ne
was delighted with the Governors speech I'm
a Democrat and didn't vote for Hughes last
time but will il get chance this time"
The opposite view expressed by a dis
cruntled horseman. who said he was going TO
Europe re his horses. that Hughes couldn't