The sun., 1908-01-23

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-Gov. Hughes's
willingness 20 enter the race for the Repub-
lican Presidential nomination. for his letter
made public last night is so construed here,
has produced variety Of opinions among
prominent Republicans in Washington as
to the significance Of the Governors action.
There is no doubt. however. that il has
produced a feeling Of alarm in the Taft
camp, where confidence has reigned supreme
ever since the action Of the New York
Republican county committee in refusing
to indorse Hughes's candidacy. But ac-
cording to the Washington view the situa
ton has changed over night. All that
was needed to enable the Hughes boom
to take form was some such declaration
from the Governor. and it is declared that
prominent Republicans in all parts Of the
country win throng to his support.
Republican members of Congress from
all over the Union have brought stories to
Washington Of the wonderful growth Of
sentiment for Gov. Hughes, but in their opin-
ion this sentiment would go up in smoke
unless an organized effort were made TO
crystalline it. Hughes, according to what
Congressman said. was regarded throughout
the country as the embodiment of all that
was upri ght and honest, and in many places
where it was a tossup between Taft and
Hughes the Governor had an advantage
in that there was some resentment of the
idea that the President of the United States
should be permitted to pick his successor.
To what extent this latent feeling for the
New York Governor will be revived il Mr.
Hughes's friends get to work in his behalf
1t is too early to predict. There is a general
opinion that the Governor would have
been much stronger had he announced him
aelf sooner, and his delay, it is believed here,
had added TO the strength OF Taft and other
candidates
With the exception of a few. the Re-
publican Representatives from New York
are convinced that the right thing for them
10 do is to take of their coats and go to
work for Gov. Hughes Of course, Repre-
sentative Herbert Parsons. president of
the New York county Republican COM
Inittee, who has cast bis lot with Mr. RoOse-
welt and Mr.. Taft, is not TO be included in
those who take this view Representative
Bennet, another member of the county
committee, is 20 be counted as anti-Hughes
also. But while some of the other New
York Congressman have felt disappointed
over the Governors previous attitude
they, like the firm friends of Hughes in the
State delegation. are now willing TO take
up his cause.
1t was pointed out to-day by New York
Congressman however, that Gov. Hughes
has not done all that is necessary to bring
him all the strength that would naturally
come to him. They assert that in his
promised speech on January 81 he must
be specific as 60 the principles for which
he stands and is willing to stand and must
not deal merely in generalties. Repre-
sentative j. Sloat Fassett Of Elmira, who
saw President Roosevelt to-day, put the
situation very we'll when he said that he
had remarked some time ago that As soon
as Mr., Hughes should qualify on a Re-
publican platform he would be entitled TO
the support OF the party in New FORK for
the Presidential nomination" That Mr..
Fassett believes that the Governor will 40
qualify was indicated by his response to
a question whether he thought that Mr..
Hughes had fulfilled the condition mem
toned. He is qualifying very fast said
Mr.. FassettN
No comment on the letter of Gov. Hughes
was 10 be obtained at the White House to-
day. Even William Loeb, Jr., the Presi-
dents secretary and one Of the most active
Taft workers, could not be induced 10 say
anything. Secretary Taft was equally
reticent He laughed wheney or he was
asked about the Hughes letter Coming
out of the White House to-day after an
hours talk with the President Mr. Taft
was surrounded by newspaper reporters.
who began firing questions AT him.
What do you think of the Hughes an
nouncement}' asked the reporters
This is a mighty fine day. isn't it" was
the reply.
Then Mr.. Taft added: DO you know.
| don't see that your question has any news
value whatever. Anyhow, ! can't talk
POLITICS ! will talk as long as you like about
retirements from the army
Representative Olcott a member of the
New York county Republican committee.
had this to say:
The Hughes latter clarifies the situation.
Whether the Governor will have TN" So; rprt
of the Republicans of the tate, or whether
bsx xnyin ha inI ly Naa Nf,rI,
committee at its next meeting ! am not
prep ared TO say. | do not think any one will!
deny that he is good Presidential mber."
il is understood that MIR. OlcOtr relieves
that New ork Re; ublCans should worll
for the nomination Of Gov. Hughes.
Oscar s, Straus, Secretary Of lommerce
and Labor, would say this only: Il regard
Hughes as an excellent candidate. but |
regard Taft as a still better one
Representative Alexander Of Buffalo ex-
pressed the sentiment Of upstate Repub-
lican Congressman when he said In the
light Of Mr.. Hughes letter think II would
be a very proper thing for New York 20
present him al a candidate
He Is growing faster than any candidate
in the race, declared Representative Little
field of Maine He will have great strength
in New England, in my opinion"
IT other politicians are al sea ms to the
oct Gov. Hughes's candidacy will have
Ac Hon. Jonathan Bourne, Senator from
oregon, is not troubled by doubts He
knows what is going to happen now
The action of Gov. Hughes gives him
New York, beats Taft for the nomination
and means the nomination of Roosevelt
as the only man who will carry forward his
own policies, ," he said.
Senator Bourne may be remembered as
the inventor and sole patentee OF the sec
ond elective term" and the donor Of a prize
Of 81, 900 for the best answer to the question:
When IL third term not a third term?
ALBANY, Jan. % Gov. Hughes Is receiv-
ing great volume Of mail bearing upon his
announcement Of last night to the Republi-
can Club Of New York city that he appreci-
ates the efforts his friends are making in his
behalf Of his Presidential candidacy Secre-
tary Robert II. Fuller declined to-day on
behalf OF the Governor to give out for pub
lication any Of the telegrams received from
other States OF TO announce the names Of
those who hav sent their congratulations.
The Governor, IL is announced, will make
no additional statement at this time He