New-York tribune., 1908-08-12
~ KrS WIDER ASPECTS.

The question of Mr. Hughes's denomination
deserves consideration by practical politicians
on broader grounds than its probable erect
upon the state national ticket in New York
The whole country is taking lively interest
in the debate over his availability. and his
fate should he weighed with regard 10 its in
fluence upon the strength of the Republican
national ticket throughout the rest of the coun-
try. and especially throughout the West Mr.
Hughes is national figure. He has been
made so by his own attanments and oppof-
tunties his force of character and the emil
nehce of his position. and by his successful
fight for ideas and principles of more than local
significance. for policies in whose progress me
rest of the nation is keenly interested. HIS
prominence as national figure was reco@-
nized by the political leaders of this state Wheh
they presented him New York 'candldate
for the Presidential nomination. He was 100
important tc be ignored or overlooked. Inc
claims of a smaller man regarded with a sim
liar lack of sympathetic interest would not
have been presented. His hold upon people
outside of his own state is again recognized IN
the selection of Governor Hughes to open the
campaign for sIr Taft in Mr.. Taffs own state
1t is not strange, then, that newspapers OUTSIDE
of New York State in commenting upon the
prospects of his denomination say that MS re-
lection would be resented by Repubcans eiSe
where almost as keenly by his friends at
home.
There is no Disgusting the fact that the West
views Mr. Hughes's career and polltlcal inteh
tions with great sympathy. 1t would look upon
his denomination rs a triumph of those progress
sive tendencies in the Republican party whose
spread is its dearest wish. His rejection woud
no vieved with dismay as an exhibition of
nronensities in Eastern Republicanism when
GRO undeniabIv q thorn in the flesh OF the
Western brethren Correspondence from that
section of the country reports widespread dlS
cussion of the New York Governorshp sltua-
lion. Mr. Hughes is regarded there as sort
of touchstone by which the spirit WHICH ahl-
mates the Republican party may be trled anu
determined Can if be trusted with what our
radical friends are pleased to call tine nshI
for the people? Let us see. they are saying
what If will do in the case of Governor huSHeS'
who is trying to get the people on top MOI
every one who asks himself that question will
answer it in just that way, but. considering
the typical Western half-suspicion of the East.
if is not unnatural that good many of the
ouerists like the sons of Missouri. should nave
to he shown" and should answer that question
in just that way
The closest observers are of the opinion
that the only thing the party has to 1ear III
the West is a bad political blunder, especially
one that would tend. or might he piauslby
construed by the enemy as tending, to throw
doubt upon the sincerity of the Republlcah
narty's sympathy with those progressive pur-
poses which its platform proclaims The party
especially the Eastern section of the party Is
under critical eyes If the opinion of the out
side press that the rejection OF Mr. Hughes
would he resented in other parts of the couh-
fry as a blow to the cause of good government
and progress and an exhibition OF an improper
spirit in the party is justified. as it seems to BE-
then this question of the New York Governor
shin should be viewed carefully as regards its
wider aspects.
The relation of a little spark to great con-
Hagration is q trlism. A disposition TO inde-
pendent voting Is widespread. The people are
on top in the politics of a large part or the
country as never before. and are eXuaordlna-
rilv Jealous of their power. Mr.. Bryan Is Try
ing with all his might TO make the issue OF
his campaign the question: "Shall the people
r71le?" Could anything be better adapted TO
serve his purpose and give vitality to his issue
than the turning down of the man who IS
pledged to "get the people on top mere III
New York?