Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-12
HUGHES IS B|TTERP|LL
N. O. M. Finds New York Lead
= ers Swallowing Hard.
WILL TAKE THEIR MEDICINE
But State Politicians Declare the
Candidate Cannot Be Elected.
BOSSES SAY THEY'LL TRY TO
Governor Has No Headquarters and
No Henchmen to Further His
Interests-His Cause
With Voters.
WILL TAKE THEIR MEDICINE
BOSSES SAY THEY'LL TRY TO

Special Dispatch to The Star.
SARATOGA. N V. September Pin
all the turbulent history of politics in the
Empire state there probably has never
been situation quite like the one con-
fronting the republican leaders on the
eve of their state convention TO nominate
a governor and other state officers.
Here is the spectacle of practically the
entire party organization-that is to say,
the men who lead the party in different
sections of the state and who compose its
governing committees-insisting that the
man whom they intend to nominate for
governor cannot. in their opinion, he
elected, yet they cannot prevent his nom
ination.
Gov Hughes it is conceded on all sides,
will be nominated, unless a miracle hap
pens. Other candidates will be presented
and there will be vote. But the oppo-
sition cannot decide upon any man who
will carry the prestige of Gov. Hughes
with the convention.
No One to Oppose Him.
You cannot beat somebody with no.
body" is an aphorism of politics, which
was exemplified in the case of the scat
tering opposition to Secretary Taft. 1t
applies in this case.
Last night when the opposing bosses
first gathered upon the scene of their
approaching activities their animosity to
the governor went to the point of sug-
gesting that the state chairman and other
state officers should resign, as an ex-
preston of dissatisfaction with the can
didacy of Gov. Hughes for the nomina-
tion.
That little fit of spleen did not last
long. however. Its puerility and political
faulty became apparent to its proposers
as soon as they blew off steam in sug-
gesting it. = -ss't@"s
They realized that IL anything were
needed to emphasize the split between the
bosses and the people in this question of
selection of a candidate, with a great
moral issue at stake, it would be just
such action as that.
Chairman Woodruff and the leading
bosses declare they will take their medi-
cine and when the governor is nominated
try to elect him. But Taft'S friends and
the national management will probably
keep a pretty close eye on the state as
we'll as the national campaign in New
York.
Machine Blames Administration.
The machine managers are grumbling
that Gov. Hughes is forced upon them
by the national management and by the
administration. This is not correct. Gov.
Hughes is demanded by the people. The
administration realizes that it would be a
political mistake to refuse to heed the
call.
The latest word which Saratoga has
from Oyster Bay is that the President will
not insist upon the convention taking any
action, but that 1t is his opinion that the
convention would do we'll to think twice
before turning down Gov Hughes
The insistence of machine managers up
1Ias,~ .l,-
be elected, carried. as this insstence is,
right up to the convention and in a man
ner to attract attention throughout the
state, giving ammunition to the demo-
Gratis, is considered remarkable. 1t
would seem to be more than mere per-
sonal antipathy.
The bosses claim the question does
reach beyond personality. These machine
bosses declare the storm which the COVER
nor has raised by his reform measures
and by his attitude toward certain meas
ures of legislation 10 benefit particular
classes has arrayed large vote against
him.
But there is more in it than this claim.
large part of the opposition OF the
bosses is based upon the fact of Gov
Hughes absolute independence of them,
which has extended to the point of treat
ing them with scorn. That has been one
OF the cries raised against him from the
beginning of his tenure of office The
politicians cannot do anything with him.
II is claimed that in NewYork state sue
cesSful politics can only be conducted
through organization. and that IL re-
quires politicians to organize.
Hughes Interests Unguarded.
An interesting feature OF the situation
here is the fact that the prospective can
didate for governor has no headquarters
in Saratoga. has no organization and has
no one in particular representing him. He
is standing aloof from the practical work
which must be done preliminary to his
nomination and is not represented in any
of the steps being taken.
Ii Is most remarkable situation. Old
time politicians are daZed: they go around
in helpless. childish kind of a way
They don't know 10 whom to look for or
ders or for guidance.
They cling together like sheep without a
leader Yet all the time they are con-
sciouS OF the resistless. powerful wave of
sentiment which from every corner of
the state. is forcing them on to action
which they do not want TO take.
One of the leaders of the opposition TO
Gov. Hughes outlined the prospective
course of the anti-Hughes people in a
talk which l had with him this afternoon.
He said:
We have until Tuesday to settle the
question of a candidate for governor. We
Will try TO show the delegates that Gov.
Hughes, if nominated will lose the state.
also in our opinion.
I'VE have not the slightest doubt that
there is a large vote in this state. out
side of the farmers. who are republican
at all times. which will not vote for Gov
Hughes for the reasons SO often set
forth.
This class of voters to which | refer
usually goes with the party organization
through the efforts of the leaders in the
various voting districts. II cannot be
counted for Hughes.
Any Other Would Do.
Ito the suggestion that the opposition
TO the governor is not centered upon any
one man we reply that We do not want to
center it upon any individual We only
desire to prevent the nomination of a man
whom we regard sure to be defeated
We are willing to take any man who Is
not open to that certainty.
The hope of the opposition therefore
vain hope as 1t is regarded by unbiased
observers. and. really almost admitted
by the opposition itself-is to work upon
the delegates in the next two days and
try to convince them that the governor
ha ,tr,a Tod ~