New-York tribune., 1908-01-22
"M4TTER ONE FOR PARTY
TO DECIDE.
Says He N1W BE Content 7cith It's
Decision Further State
ment Soon.
ment Soon
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune ]

pointed work for Hughes delegates
The Governor declared frankly his recogni-
ton of ''the great honor which the nomination
would confer" well the obligation OF ser
vice which it would impose The matter il
one for the party to decide" said the Governor.
"and whatever its decision I shall be content
Quite as open and dignihed is the Governors
statement as to the efforts now under way to
make him the party candidate He reiterates
his declaration that he will not attempt 10 in
fuence the selection vote Of any delegate.
and adds distinct and vigorous disclaimer OF
interest part in any factional movement
within the party.
THE GOVERNORS LETTER
''I am deeply sensible of the honor conferred
upon me-" says the Governor, by my fellow
members Of the Republican Club in the passage
of the resolution 10 which you refer. and 1t will
give me pleasure to accept the invitation In
accepting it, it is proper for me to restate my
position
1T is nv desire that the sentiment of the
party shall have the freest expression and that
such action shall be taken will be for its best
interests.
81 do not seek office. nor shall attempt TO In
fuence the selection vote of any delegate
The state administration must continue TO hs
impartial and must not be tributary TO any
candidacy.
versy and desire. above all things. that there
shall be deliberation, honest expression OF the
party will and harmony Of effort
.I cannot fail to recognize the great honor
which the nomination would confer or the ooli-
CATION of service which it would impose Nor
should I care to be thought lacking IN appre-
citation of the confidence and esteem WHICH
prompt the efforts of those who sincerely desire
TO bring it about The matter is one for the
hot
shall be content
.1 sbau be clad to meet with the members OF
tho c1,h as YOU suggest and to make such fur
ther statement as may be appropriate In view
/ of the engagements already made do not see
how ii will be possible to have such meetihs
before the evening of January 81; and II thaC
date s,fts YOUR convenience arrangements for
the meeting may be made accordingly
MR.. LEHMAIER's LETTER
The letter of Mr.. Lehmaier. to which the Gov
ernor replies as above is as follows;
AT a recent meeting of the Republican cup
of the CITY of New York. very largely attended
a resolution was adopted with practical unanin-
ity strongly urging the next Repuohcan Sd-
tionaI Convention TO nominate you lot the OlnCo
of President of the United states. ana 70 thdl @
end inviting the cooperation OF RePuOhcaiiS
The president of the club has appointed
committee of twenty-five 10 carry out Ih7 PH
The COMMITTEES has entered upon the duties
assigned to it. and its efforts have met with a
most gratifying public response
T-nder the circumstances, it has seemed to US
that some expression from you would be timely
AS chairman of this COMMITTEES and IN the
hope that this suggestion may meet with your
apnrovaI I write to inquire whether you Will
meet your fellow members of the Republican
Club at its clubhouse at such time as may suit
your convenience
FACTOR IN PRESIDENTIAL EQUATION
a -T2ra
ton by those close to Governor Hughes that
he would in no circumstances accept renom-
ination this letter is hailed here making him
an active factor in the Presidential equation
Not that he will take any part in campaign
to capture delegates. directly or indirectly Al
bany knows the Governor too well TO believe
that But he will leave no doubt IN the puohcs
mind where he stands on important questions
of national policy; he will state his position
clearly and positively. as he has tonight re-
earding his willingness 10 become a candidate.
All that the political world here considers as
sured
The meeting at the Republican Club which he
agrees IN the letter 10 attend doubtless VIII
bring forth the first expression of his views On
national subjects. It is quite possible that a.
promised communication from the Hughes State
League may afford earlier opportunity &c
EXPRESS his ideas but most people here believe
after the lines of his letter TO Mr. Lehynaier-
Hughes men who have heard about the letter
are jubiIant They say that from the time this
letter is read by the public and the Governors
manly frank position realized his popularity
will increase tenfold and his candidacy spring
forward in great strides Even politicians here
who are not enthusiastic over the Governors
chances for success admit that his willingness
to be a candidate. avowed thus publicly. creates
an issue within the party lines in this state,
HUGHES PARTISAN TALKS
whoever is not for Hughes now must take
a place in the camp OF the enemy said one
Hughes partisan. "and what argument not self
ish can New York State man give for being
against Hughes? Has this state any other can
didate or man who stands a ghost of a chance
of becoming candidate?"
The likelihood of the arrival Of that condition
of harmony which the Governor indicates as de-
sirable is considered somewhat small bv the
politicians here, at least for some while. A
Presidential situation in this state with Gov
ernor Hughes the focus presents too good an
opportunity for factionaI warfare designed 70
bring some material good 10 one faction the
other To be abandoned soon AT least that IS
the view Of the sophisticated political Observers.
The anti-Hughes men thus will continue to
maintain that the Governor is being used by
crew Of INSCRIPTIONS Oddities in an endeavor
to regrasp political domination in the state.
Some of these Hughes men will retort that the
federal officehoiders are ti-Hughes men be-
cause they fear dislodgement If the present adj
justment of political relations is disturbed. But
through all this the Governors one declaration
shows clearly: Il have interest in any fac-