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

classes. such as railroad men, CONNER
cial travellers. school teachers. ponce
men and firemen. as result of legisla-
ton he has urged. He has unqueStloh-
ably turned the betting element ana the
liquor element against him. 10 onset
that, he has made Roadway with the
church people, with the farmers and
with the conservative home-bodies of
the electorate. But in the opinion OF
the political managers this was a pad
swap" numerically.
They say that what is called the
high moral element may or may not
turn out in force on election day. 1t
NAV depend on the weather or some
business engagement. But they can
count on every one of the fello"s VINO
has a grudge against Hughes turning
out early and working late. The silk
stockings may daily, but the brogans
and hobnails will be on the job. is the
way the politicians are figuring it.
And now, after these few preliminary
remarks. to get down to cases. Up to
noontime today the anti-Hughes scrap
pers were still in the ring, and though
somewhat winded had not thrown up
the sponge. Their efforts now are to
dissipate the Hughes strength by pro-
posing a multitude of 'favorite sons,
hoping to tie up the convention on the
first ballot and make show of
strength.
hOOC y" OIh1uS GaI ueSIAy'
Secretary Root. who is laboring earnest
ly for Hughes: George r. Sheldon. treas
urer of the national committee; Herbert
Parsons. the Presidents agent; ex-Gov.
Frank S. Black; Representatives Payne,
Dwight. Vreeland and others are pleading
with them to quit and let Hughes go
through: that they cannot hope 10 peat
Hughes with some inconspicuous candl-
date. and. indeed. have n" unanimous
choice of the opposition at all.
When Secretary Root arrived the con-
spirators set up the shout of JOY. wv
will nominate. unanimously" they cried.
and all hands turn to and elect you
Secretary Root shook his head; 1t would
never do at all. Then he went on to ex-
plain to those local feudist ch1eftalns.
who are not looking beyond their own
little local machines, the national aspect
of the case.
He pointed out that the eyes of repub-
licans of the nation are centered upon
New York: that this is considered fight
of the people against the BOSSES IN which
the voters of the middle west are SYM
pathizing with the people; that Hughes
is regarded as the personifcatton OF a
principle which is stirring the reform ele-
ment in other states. and that if he is re-
jected the national ticket and organiZa-
ton will be held responsible and VEN
geance will be wreaked on the republican
ticket outside of New York. He pleaded
with them for the sake Of Taft and the
national ticket to cease the warfare on
Hughes. He expressed the opinion that
it would be a grave political mistake to
refuse denomination to Gov. Hughes.
Secretary Root is not oblivious to the
claim that Gov. Hughes may not be able
to carry the state in November, owing
to the character OF opposition he has
no other republican can carry 1t. if Gov.
Hughes Is turned down to placate that
opposition.
Opposition Is Scattered.
This afternoon one Of the most careful
and conservative leaders made this state
ment of the situation at this hour:
II am convinced that at this time there
is a majority in the convention opposed
to the denomination of Gov. Hughes-that
is to say, the sentiment of the majority
is against him. But 1t Is one thing to
organize 1t into the compact body of votes
for some other candidate. The anti
Hughes men realize that consideration
They are now trying to organize the
hostile sentiment and focus 1t. so to
speak. If they can agree upon one man
who will harmonic all the elements of
the anti-Hughes strength in favor of an
Individual and nominate that man on the
first ballot it Is the only way Hughes
can be beaten. Personally, I do not think
it can be done, although 1t is not i'm
possible.
The anti-Hughes men have gained in
strength since the arrival of the dele
gates. Their main element of weakness
lies In their lack of cohesiveness. They
are scattering, while the Hughes senti-
ment is definite and fixed upon their man
and backed by strong pressure from ma
tional sources. There are still twenty
four hours until the balloting commences,
and great deal Of work can be done on
both Sides
The convention meets at 3 o'clock this
afternoon for organization, and will then
adjourn until tomorrow morning. when
the fireworks will begin. n. o. NJ