The sun., 1908-05-13
IT EOE'TBE TAFT AND HUGHES
GOVERNOR SAYS NE WOULDN'T
RUN FOR TICE-PRESIDENT.

George 4. Knight Of California Figures In
the Plans OF the Roosevelt Men for
second Place With Fort Of New Jersey.
wilson Of Kentucky and Fairbanks.
Gov. Hughes passed through New York
city yesterday on his way to Washington to
attend the Presidents conference with the
Governors. The Governor stopped long
enough at the Hotel Astor TO have luncheon
with Gen, Stewart l.. WoOdford president
Of the Hughes National League. Gen.
Woodford was authorized to hand out the
following letter for publication;
STATR OF New YORK, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
ALBANY, May II, 1908.
MY DEAR GEN. WooDPoRD: | find your
letter Of the 7th instant awaiting me on my
return to Albany. | have not said anything
publicly regarding the Vice-Presidency, as
the matter has not been broached 10 me
10 a way which seemed 10 require any action
on my part. But do not desire 70 have my
silence misnterpreted and you as delegate
TO the convention are entitled TO an unequivo-
cal statement. You are entirely right In
your assum pton as TO my attitude.
should not care 10 be thought lacking In
appreciation Of the distinction Of the offce.
But for reasons which are controlling and
leave no room for discussion, and though
Iwould be deeply sensible Of the honor thereby
conferred, ! should not be able 70 accept.
and would not In any contingency accept
a nomination for the Vice Presidency. And
even we're elected could not serve.
With high regard, am faithfully yours.
CHARLES T.. HUGHES.
Gov. Hughes letter was written, II was
stated, on the advice Of Gen Woodford
Gov. Hughess national campaign manager,
and vet Gen Woodford reiterated what he
has often said: 'No man can be Gov.
Hughes's manager he is his own manager.
However, Gen. Woodford has kept tab on
the doings in Washington and he got the
idea, very general in Washington political
circles, that the President in case Taft is to
be nominated for the Presidency contem-
plated the nomination Of Gov Hughes as
his running mate
This view OF the Republican national
situation, however. was rather superficial
II the opinions Of those close to the Presi-
dent and the Taft people are worth any
thing. The President and the friends OF
Secretary Taft. it was said yesterday,
have been rather looking 10 New Jersey IN
the person OF Gov. Fort to furnish the Vice
Presidential candidate at Chicago unless
the real Roosevelt.Taft Presidential
candidate was expected to come from
Indiana, in the person Of Mr.. Fairbanks,
While this would be rather unusual the
Presidential candidate coming from Ohio
and the Vice Presidential candidate from
an adjoining State, Indiana, still, according
to those in the confidence Of the topnotchers
at Washington. anybody was preferable
to Gov, Hughes Of New York because OF
the severe lactional Republican quarrels
in the State. Gov. Hughes's declination
Of the Vice-Presidential nomination was
interpreted 10 mean Taft's nomination
at Chicago and that the fear OF Roosevelts
denomination was at an end
According 70 the Presidents friends in
New York State who were talked with last
night the ice-Presidenlal nomination
may 20 to Gov. Wilson Of Kentucky or to
Republican west OF the Missouri River.
Gov. Wilson. il is known. has been very
seriously considered in administrative cir
cles at Washington. But a good many OF
the Presidents counsellors have the idea
that he wants a far Western man nomi.
mated for the Vice-Presdency. Friends OF
the President who have consulted with him
on this ubject said yesterday that no Vice
Presidential candidate had ever been selected
from the great States west of the Missouri
River. that the President was deeply in
pressed with this fact and that George A.
Knight Of California would be the ideal
candidate for the Vice-Presidency. Mr.
Knight il a vigorous and eloquent orator
and has just been elected one Of the dele
gates at large for his State,
To indicate the Presidents interest in
the e-Presidentia candidate II is only
necessary 10 add, Roosevelt Republicans
said last night that the President has
gone over the list since the foundation OF
the Government and finds that the Vice
Presidents have come from Massachusetts,
Virginia, New York South Carolina, Ken
lucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Caro-
lima Maine. New Hampshire. Vermont
Ohio, New Jersey and Indiana and that
he has been impressed for nearly two years
with the notion that the Vice-Presidentia
candidate Of the Chicago convention should
come from west Of the Missouri. Last
night George A. Knight OF California was
said to be the man.