New-York tribune., 1908-01-31
THE HUGHES ENDORSEMENT.

Sincere friends of Governor Hughes ana dlS-
interested advocates of his nomination as the
Republican party's candidate for President VIII
be thoroughly gratiied at the action taken on
Wednesday evening by the Republican County
Committee The approval OF the 'roNerhoT
candidacy was cordial and emphatic, ana IL
leaves no doubt Of the purpose of the kepub-
hcan organization in this county to cooperate
whole heartedly in the movement TO secure nm
the Presidential nomination. The pledges made
by the committee were explicit and the support
given 10 the Governor will be open ana uh-
equivOcal
There has been good deal of fantastic tax
to the effect that Republicans who did not
favor Al Endorsement of Mr.. Hughes as Pres
idential candidate weeks ago. before be hau
signiied anv desire or intention TO become
candidate, disqualified themselves by that omis-
sion for giving effective or welcome support 10
tbe Governor now that his candidacy has taken
definite and practical shape. Such talk IS hlShiy
anateurish and its motives are transparency
narrow minded and selfish. So long as Repup-
licans are disposed 10 make common cause ana
work together for Mr.. HugheS's success 1t Is
of little consequence whether one element OF
another first signifed its intention to raise the
Hughes banner If the original promoters OF
q movement were 70 discourage and discrlm-
mate against later recruits the whole energy
of that movement would be absorbed in the
perpetuation of a sterile mutual admiration So
cety. QuarrelS about priority OF utle TO seatS
on the Hughes band wagon are in questlohaole
taste They do not interest the public ana nave
no significance for those who think that the
main thing to do is to promote Governor
Hughes's candidacy by united and harmonious
party action. .
Clearly some Of the original Hughes men
nrotest TOO much' There has been general
ir,nrnssion that certain original supporters OF
3 the Governor were more intent on promoting
their own political fortunes than on helping
the Governors candidacy. These men were re
sponsiblp for the false impression conveyed
to the rest of the country, that there was an
+agonisn in this state between the Governors
friends and the friends OF the national admins
tration. Such an impression did the Governor
= grave Injustice: for nothing is clearer than
that his aims and policies in general har-
mony with the So-called Roosevelt policies and
! that his administration appeals most strongly
TO the elements in the party which are most
pronounced in their approval Of President RooSe-
veIt's administration. There never has been III
this state any real political antagonlsm between
! the admirers of Governor Hughes and those OF
/ Secretary Taft: for both men stand for very
much the same things and either would prob
! ably be entirely acceptable as a presidential
candidate TO nine out Of every ten New YORK
! Republicans.
1t * manifestly due TO Governor Hughes
! 10 his high character. his admirable record ana
his uncha enged availability AS candidate
that his name should he presented by New
York to the next Republican convention The
state can take q lust pride in offering so accept
able = leader and in working in spirit OF
friendly rivalry To convince the delegations
from other states that he would make the
strongest possible Presidential candidate There
should he no division among New York Re
nublicans on that point, and all true friends
of Mr. Hughes will do their utmost TO encourage
( loyal cooperation and to frustrate any use OF
the Hughes candidacy a means of fomenting
,,ersonaI and factionaI strife covering up
sef-interested designs for controlling the Re
nuhlican state and local organizations.