The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-23
Governor Is Gaining Ground For
 ths Presidency
CONTEST IN DEAD EARNEST
Taft, Cannon, Knox and Fairbanks All Appear To Side With the Admin stration and Against the Gov
 ernor of New York.

Washington, January 22-(special.)-- Governor Hughes letter which is gen orally construed by politicians as tanta- mount to an announcement of his candi- dacy for the republican nomination, comes a little late, but means that from this time on there is to be a fight in New York on the administration efforts to swing the state to the administration choice. Politicians were not ready today to prophecy the outcome, but even the hackers of MT. Taft admitted that the administration will not have a walkoper in New York.
 The effect of the announcement, it is said. will also be felt in the "favorte son" states by stiffening the sentiment for the favorite son. Pennsylvania will stand firm for Senator Knox; Illinois for Speaker Cannon, Indiana for Vice Pres ident Fairbanks, Wisconsin for Senator LaFollette and Iowa for Governor Cum mings. If New York should lean to Governor Hughes the spectacle would be presented of some of the higgest republi- can states with the most influential dele gates going into the convention opposed to Secretary Taft. If they could rally sufficient support from other states, es- pecialy from the south to prevent Sec retary Taft's nomination on the first or second ballont politicians believe that an interesting situation would result.
 Against the Administration.
 It is very evident that earnest efforts will be made to counteract the administra- tion's attempt to swing the southern states into line with the aid of the fed eral office holders, who, in some of the southern states, demand republican pol lcies. The statement Issued by ex-Gov- ernor Kellogg and ex-Senator Chandler appealing for unrestricted delegates i' only the forerunner of other efforts to bt made along the same line.
 Governor Hughes announcement was construed by politicians at the capita today to mean that there will be ginger in the campaign from now on and that the administration has a fight on it's hands in earnest. They pointed out that it will not be consistent for the Presi- dent to claim that this opposition to his faVorite is opposition of the reactionaries.
 Governor Hughes they said, cannot be put in that class, since his nomination for governor was urged by President Roosevelt, and he has stood for reforms in state administration. just as far-reach- ing as the national reforms advocated by the President
 They said that neither could Speaker Cannon be classed as a reactionary, since he has been the loyal supporter of the Presidents legislative policies, and has aided In putting them through Congress Vice President Fairbanks Is still the run ming mate of the President as an ad- vocate of his legislative policies and he cannot, 1t is thought. be called reae- tionary.
 Record of Knox.
 Senator Knox's record as Attorney Gen eral has been approved and commended over the Presidents signature, ana sure lv he is not a reactionary. Governor Cummings and Senator LaFollette are regarded as even more radical than the President and farthest removed from re- actionaries.
 The trouble with the President is that he classes everyone as reaetionary except Taft. so there will be no genuine ground for the President to contend that the support given these favorite sons ,s from the reactionary element It will he insisted that the support given the favorite sons from their respective states ,s leeitimate and that the worst which could be said about it would be that It's effect was to resist the eHorts or the President to pick his own successor and secure his nomination with the ald Of tba federal administration.
 Sweeping Into Line.
 Representative Fairchild of the Sixth New York district and former Congress man Douglass of New York were White House callers.
 .arhe fact that our local organizations are swinging into line for Hughes Is rather significant" said MT. Farchild. T have just received an invitation to d Hughes banquet given by the Repuohcah club of one of the towns in my district. Heretofore that club was supposed to pc anN-Hughes. The governors friends are undoubtedly working like Trogans 10 solidify sentiment for him throughout the state. and there is no doubt whatever that their efforts are bearing fruit. When the convention time comes around he Will have a very strong following indeed, and unless the President himself were to be the candidate against him. l don't see how he could be beaten for the solid vote of the delegation.
 s.The opposition to Governor Hughes will be showed under before 1t goes much fnrther', asserted x-Representative Douglass. Don't make the mistake Of thinking that the Hughes boom is dead Ii Is very much alive. indeed, and the governor will go to the convention with a solid vote of the state at his back.
 Means Roosevelt.
 Senator Bourne said today that the an nouncement of Hughes means Roosevelt s renomination. special from Albany. N. Y. tonight says "Governor Hughes is receiving a great volume of mail bearing upon his announcement of last night to the Republican club of New York city that he appreciates the efforts his friends are making in behalf of his presidential candidacy. Secretary Robert H. Fuller declined today on behalf of the governor to give any of the governors telegrams from other states for publication or to an- nounce the names of the prominent peo- pie who may have sent their congratua- tions The governor, 1t is announced, will make no additional statement at this time. He declined to say anything today when asked if he should address himself upon national questions bearing upon his candidacy at the reception to be given him by the Republican club January Sl.
 w. S.