Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-25
Candidates and Questions.

The Rochester. \. Y. Democrat and
Chronicle is. in this, little unreason-
able:
THE leading democratic candidates do
not appear in very heroic light. Mr..
Chanler retreats from the Hughes ques-
lions under a mantle of assumed dignity.
declaring that he will not answer them
until he gets ready. He is conducting a
campaign of evasion. MIR. Bryan keeps
mum on his old PARAMOUNT issues. and
even shows signs of being doubtful about
his trust legislation and his bank guar
antee scheme.
Mr.. Chanler cannot afford to he very
talkative at this time. for he does not
know just where he is at" He owes
his candidacy to men who if he wins
will insist on being consulted about his
course and may even attempt to direct
it, He will not be able to deny them an
audience, although he may not yield to
their pressure. In his case all is in the
future; and maybe the less said now, ex-
cept in general terms. the better. Mr..
Chanler is engaged in playing politics,
and New York politics at that
1t is very different in the case of Gov.
Hughes He owes his candidacy to his
record; and that is dscussable at every
point. He handles it in detail, and asks
for votes on the strength of it. There
is not legitimate question about which
he need remain silent. If he is elected
nobody will attempt to direct his course.
He has made it plain that as Governor
of New York he Is his own man, answer
able to no coterie of bosses, but to the
people of the state. Never was candidate
freer to talk than is Gov. Hughes, and
he is making good use of his freedom.
AS to Mr.. Bryan, he has talked so much
and on SO many different topics in the
past twelve years he could not if he
would at this time repeat q 1.-THE of it.
He must pick and choose, and, natura ally,
he seeks live topics. 1t would be folly
for him to be talking about IL to /, the
government ownership of railroads, and
the initiative and referendum as a candi-
date standing on the Denver platform,
which is silent as TO all these PROPOSE
lions. Sufficient unto the year is the
platform thereof.
1t is very different in the case of Judge
Taft. He has record of achievements,
and is willing TO discuss every item of it.
He has been a national figure about eight
years, and in the offices he has held in
that time has had only acknowledged sue
cess. In the Philippines. in Cuba, in
Panama, here in the War Department
he has done things which have been gen
orally applauded. All of this is live mat
ter. The country is interested in it, and
III his discussion of it. Even his decisions
when he was on the bench when brought
up by his opponents find him ready for
discussion. He has had only successes
and need not hesitate to so into any
phase of them.
In this particular Judge Taft and Gov.
Hughes are exceptional candidates. No
topic makes them stammer or show fear
They take their audiences into their full
| est confidence. The man in the crowd
primed with inquiries which lie thinks
Will be embarrassing is always prompt,
! undeceived.. His how about this, or how
| about that, is answered without "a sign oil
dodge or evasion. In no instance. SO far
| has either man been worsted in any heck
| ling he has undergone.