The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-14
BOSSES FEAR FAILURE
IN FIGHT ON HUGHES
(Continued rrom Is PageO


Of consequences never was known in 3
convention in the State.
IF we give them Hughes" said one
leader, che will ruin the party in this
State, with primary election and excise
and other policies. provided he Is elect
ed. II lie isn't elected. we're ruined
anyhow, for il we lose the State now
we'll be a mighty long time recovering
it. So we lose either way, and who
cares2"
That's the way they talk Said another
local leader. who controls bunch of
delegates. and wants anything except
Hughes:
They tell US the people are all for
Hughes; only the politicians against
him. Well. why didn't some Of the peO-
pie come down 70 tho convention, then
There's nobody here who represents
them. This gathering has about 800
anti-Hughes and 100 pro-Hughes dele
gates
Votes to Control.
The State bosses have votes enough
70 control, and are reckless enough of
consequences 10 do IT, II only they
could scare up a big enough man 10
unite their votes. and If only they had
courage TO risk what the President
might do; and If only they were not
jealous OF each other
They have been appealing in despera-
ton 10 Odeu TO take charge and save
them But even in this extremity they
are afraid. Odell is so much bigger than
any OF the rest of them that they fear,
if they once make him trustee for their
political estates in bOsship. he'll ad-
,ev-r NFrH1 - 81
sOnal benefit. restore himself 10 real
leadership, a. 4 end all their various
feverish hopes Of Scholarships and other
good things in future.
the shadow Of the oncOminS contests
for the seats of Plat and DepCw is
over everything. Odeu told his i'm
perfume callers that there were plenty
Of votes TO beat Hughes If they would
for his own terms-the real bOsship must
be his; and il looked nigh.
Before Secretary Root got 10 town
with his speech. there was determined
effort 10 organize stampede 10 him; but
he sQuelChed II promptly. He declared
himself agreed with the President that
il was important TO the national ticket
that Hughes be named. Nobody else
would do.
Hopes Are Dashed.
With hopes thus dashed. talk centered
for a while around Judge William E
Werner, OF Rochester, judge Of the
court OF appeals, who was said 10 be
available If ne would resign from the
bench 10 make the run; but IL was
stated by his friends he would not
Then w S Bennett, of New York.
was taken up. A group Of the bosses
Woodruff. Hendricks, Ward, Barnes
went to OdeIl with the suggestion that
they pool issues on Bennett, and make
= D. Hrrf FOR
But toe idea didn't take well with
some other insurgents less desperate
they said Bennett wasn't big enough
and because he har cen an antl-salooLl
man would be d vOte-getter. II
looked more like Bennett as possiote
rallying point for the opposition IMAM
anybody else, down 70 near time TOT
the convention 20 meet
The convention is disguised with the
bosses. not because the bosses are try
ing 10 beat Hughes, but because lley
are falling 10 40 II. The desperation
of the alleged managers IS only pdrat-
Ieled By the disgust Of the mass 4
delegates.
IAN aggregation Of acephaIous asinin-
ity and sublimated Incompetence, was
the Characterization with Wnlcn O'Te
disguised insUrgsnt started run "a
the dictionary He was talking about
the bosses who don't know how to boss.
Pining for Platt
"Oh. for the days OF old Tom Plat;
he knew how" was heard or every
hand.
They do dearly love a boss who can
boss. up here IN York state Platt did
II. and made 'em like Il. After all the
abuse that has been heaped on him IN
recent years. II the Plat Of ten years
ago could pussy-foOt back into the
United states Hotel, and. sitting down
in the corner of the lobby. call the
sunday School 10 order, they would
fall down and worship
These microscopes bosses OF today
were good Meutenants enough. when
they had q commander-in-chief ike
PIatt 70 give them general orders, but
they are torn with jealOusies. and are
incompetent for big management eX-
planned an old-timer- They haven
any courage; T. r. has them terror
iZed."
But with all the chaos and uncertainty
the anti-Hughes movement gained force
simply because there was nobody 10
oppose IL. It is said a ton of certain
kind of gUnpow6er, piled up IN the
open air, can be set afire and VIII burn
up without explosion, 50 Ions as II ism
confined, but put 1t in confinement,