Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-14

long cigars. He has been telling his
friends in private for three months that
Hughes would be renominated. Odell has
been out of control Of the state machine
for two years but no man in the party
knows better than he that the reelection
of Hughes would make junk of the pres
ent machine. Secretary of State Root,
National Treasurer George r. Sheldon.
ex-Gov Frank S. Black and Representa-
tive Herbert Parsons sit on the broad
piazzas Of the United States Hotel ana
look at the busy little bosslets with smiles
of pity rather than contempt. They know
that Gov. Hughes is to be renomnated.
Fight on the Platform.
One fight in the convention is assured.
There Is to be fight on the platform.
Job E. Hedges. who is to be chairman
of the committee on resolutions, says to-
day that two reports will be presented
and debated on the floor of the conven-
ton. One report will indorse all of the
known policies of the governor. the other
merely the record of his present admins
tration.
of a fight to put life into the convention.
No plans are being made by the gov
ernor's friends to punish any man VINO
is working against his denominations. In
fact. If the governor is In communication
with any person here it is not generally
known. Certainly he is not communicate
ing with any member of the state ma
chine. He has offered no suggestions for
the platform and has not suggested
name for any place on the state ticket.
The little bosses are to have their own
way with the platform and with the Sc
lection of the candidates other than gov
ernor
Up to noon today a score of informal
conferences had been held by the anti
Hughes leaders, but no progress has been
made toward a union on any candidate.
William Barnes, jr.. is working ike a
beaver to get them together His plan Is
to scatter the vote and prevent the re-
nomination Of Hughes on the first ballot.
then force a recess and try to unite the
opposition.
Effect of Presidents Statement.
General interest was evoked by the au-
thorized reiteration from Oyster Bay that
President Roosevelt believed the conven-
ton should renominate Gov. Hughes.
Barnes refused to speak on the subject
for publication. Other of the anti-Hughes
leaders said that they were pleased that
Hughes is to be nominated, the RESPONSE
biity will be placed just where it be-
longs.
Representative Serene E. Payne said he
believed Gov: Hughes denomination was
assured, adding that Mr.. Roosevelt S
statement will make 1t more certain
Signs were many during the forenoon
that the opposition to the governors re-
nomination was dsintegrating. One OF
the most experienced of the leaders, gen.
orally regarded as anti-Hughes, but pro-
claiming himself merely an observer, said !:
1T is only a question of when the rush
for the band wagon will begin. Hughes
will be nominated, and 1t begins to look
as If it would be upon the first ballot
Another. himself one Of the leading cam
didateS for the governorShip, said: THE
Oyster Bay statement will scare lot Of
the fellows, and 1 guess the jig Is up"
Hughes Leaders Confident.
The Hughes leaders are still confident
that the ants cannot be united and that
the governor will win on the first ballot.
the Taft Hughes League opened headquar-
tiers at Saratoga today. One of their first
acts was to send out a letter to all the
delegates giving the results of an inquiry
made in Albany into the sentiment for
and against Hughes.
The total replies received to date are
$3.50. Favorable to the denomination of
the governor. 2,75O. Opposing the gov
ernor's denomination, 430.
No Nomination Today.
The convention, scheduled to begin at 3
p. m. probably will make no nominations
today. The feature of the day is the
speech of Secretary of State Root as tenn
porary and permanent chairman. After
the permanent organization, appointment
of committees and the speech of Mr. Root
adjournment probably will be taken until
tomorrow.