Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-30
Including the President, Who Has
No Decisions.
ON THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA
Question of Endorsement or Rejection
Of Hughes, of Course, Is the
Big Thing Just Now.

II
the most deplorable condition OF fac
tional dissension that it has experienced
since 1882. wnen Cleveland carried the
state. This condition of factional dis
ruption as at present existing menaces
republican success in November. Ii goes
without saying that every possible enort
will be made by the republican managers
to overcome this desperate situation and
to smooth down the factions. There re-
mains ten weeks in which the attempt
can be made. No one should class New
York in either the republican or the DEM
ocratic column until the results of .he ef-
forts to be put forth begin to show
This state of affairs is brought about
by the candidacy of Gov. Hughes for re-
nomination. His aspirations for anotnei
term aligns in opposition two elements ol
the republican and independent electorate
the reformers and those who object tI
the governors policies in that direction.
Managers Must Choose.
To put the case brutally, the repub.
Iican managers are confronted with the
necessity of choosing which element o,
the voting citizenship they shall cater te
for success at the polls. 1t Is already
apparent that the party cannot carry
water on both shoulders. The party may
have to choose between offending one OF
the other groups of voters II Gov. hughes
is nominated or If denomination Is refused
without his being entirely satlsned.
If the practical politicians who are
fighting him turn him down in overt man
ner it will be resented by the reformers
If his denomination is secured by the ex-
ercise of pressure from the national ad.
ministration thousands of republicans will
thn vG
or voting the democratic ticket.
Gov. Hughes attitude In this state or
affairs Is one Of complete indifference to
whatever the politicians may do: He
believes his policies are right. If the
people by the expression OF a majority
of the state convention indorse him for
denomination he will run. and If elected
will continue the work upon w-.-ch he has
entered. If the political managers, listen
ing to the opponents of reform. defeat
him at the state convention he will not
complain.
President Is Perplexed.
President Roosevelt is as much per-
picked as any one know that he holds
to the opinion that the republican party
in this state as well as in others. has
espoused some radical reforms. and is
recognized as the standard bearer in a
cause of progress, as he deems It, L also
know that he fully realizes. consummate
politician that he is. that such move
ment must inevitably ALLEVIATE a cons1d-
cradle margin of the republican vote.
The state managers. including many
bosses in upstate counties, are of the
opinion that more will be gained In ac-
tual vote by yielding to the sentiment
which is opposed to Gov. Hughes than
by standing for the ideals which the
governor represents. 1t is an exceedingly
difficult position for the party.
One possible way out of it which has
been suggested is that Gov. Hughes
reached on a candidate classed neither as
radical reformer nor an exponent of
the reverse sentiment and indOrsed by
the admirers of Gov. Hughes. OF course.
it is within the power Of the state con-
vention to force such a choice. but the
point which 1 am trying to make clear
is that this would have to be done in
such a way as not to show on the face
that it was cOntemptuous rejection Of
Gov. Hughes.
Don't Know if He'll Dicker.
1t cannot be stated with certainty at
this time whether Gov. Hughes is ready
to take part in such dicker or not. He
has persisentlyt refused up to this time
to traffic with the politicians, and it
would require an almighty lot of very
delicate negotiation to bring about such
result without giving 1t the aspect of
deal" and deals" he despises.
Since the meeting of the state commit
tee Friday it has become more apparent
bosses opposed to Gov. Hughes is in
tent upon encompassing his defeat at the
state convention. Firm in their belief
that they have a majority of public sem
timent with them. they are willing to put
the governor under the steam roller and
1t x~l~S~
But they are being reasoned with by
that element in the party which just as
earnestly fOresees danger in such a
course as they do victory.
The democrats are watching the situa-
ton very carefully. State Chairman Con-
and National Chairman Mack are fol-
lowing the game as it unfolds from day
to day and getting in readiness to take
advantage II the republicans make
mistake. In the opinion Of some OF the
shrewdest Of the democrats the demo-
cratic play is to lie low and let the re-
publicans cut each others throats. They
may not be allowed, however, to have
their own way.
They Fear Mr.. Bryan.
They fear that Mr.. Bryan is going to
embarrass, things by interfering. Many
of the democratic managers believe that
IT MI. bryan persists In coming ID New
York and addressing the state convention
on the eve Of its adjournment he will tag
the New York democracy with Bryanism.
They think that will be serious mis-
take.
The men who hold this opinion say that
IL Mr.. Bryan will keep out Of the state.
especially at the very critical juncture of
state convention there will be a line
up Of republicans and democrats mainly
over state issues and the policies Of the
republican state administration.
Doubtful StateP Whatp
The republicans are hoping that the
embarra ssment which seems to inevita-
bly, confront them may be Offset by some
foolish play of the democrats. They re-
call the old aphorism of Gen. Grant that
the democrats may be expected to do the
wrong thing at the right time This
may be a for!orn hope. with such men
as Mack. COnners and Murphy in the
democratic management. for these men
are something OF politicians themselves.
But they take consolation from the fact
that Mr. Bryan is running this campaign
and that what he wants to do he will do
Taken by and large and all in ALL poll
ticians in both parties think there is
enough In the situation to cause New
York. at this stage of the proceedings at
least n he rNRa doubtful