New-York tribune., 1909-03-09
HUGHES GAINS GROUND
OPPOSITION WEAKENING.
LEGISLATORS Returning from Wash
ingfon Tell of Great Popularity.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune, J


Albany March S-Legslators and politicians who
began to straggle back from Washington to-day
wore long faces. in most cases, and had Just enc
word OF counsel to the arti-Hughes men who tired
nominations:
Keep your ear to the ground and don't go of
half cooked that proposition"
Within a week there seems to have developed an
almost tangible shift in sentiment regarding the
Governors chances for success on his primary re-
form project And to a large extent the enthu-
sastic reception he met at Washington during the
inauguration ceremonies has been responsible for
that change. To-day there few politicians here
who have any regard for their regulations who
viii say that the Governor won't have his bill
passed Just about as he wants it.
There's blinking the fact that direct primary
system anything labelled with the name
primary reform is just about unpopular with
the average legislator. more especially the man
who is a cog in his county machine. perhaps the
county leader it has proved with State Chair
Woodruff. Speaker Wadsworth and William
Barnes ir. Most of the smaller fry have not
taken the outspoken attitude of opposition to the
Governor assumed by those leaders because of the
sentiment at home other motives Of prudence
But up to date, before the sentiment in the ooun-
try districts began to be crystaIlized definite
specific bill drawn to meet the Governors recon-
mendations it is entirely probable that poll Of
the Legislature would have showed majority
against direct primaries 'as a theory
With that feeling nearly the entire Legislature
journeyed to Washington Re it remembered that
Governor Hughes to the average New York State
man represents good government but not in any
sense is he conceived TO be d figure Of heroic pro
portions. a least by the average legislative mind.
Judge then. the CONSERVATION felt by Of the
more active anti-Huahes in the Legislature
when they reception accorded the Governor
by President Taft warm enough 10 act anti
dote 10 the prevailing weather conditions, and
greeting from throng OF people from all over the
country which tore hole in the cheering records
for that inauguration Most Of the New York
Staters have finished talking about 1t yet.
'Elihu Root told how the Governor
garded by men in other states.' remarked a legis-
IatoT who attended the Barnes dinner and I
myself had a sort OF sneaking idea that Kansas and
some OF the other wild and wooliss strong FOR
him But let say. right that my eyes
opened. Whether not think he's iceberg
and hsre5rdined reformer, the people Of the rest
OF the country don't, and I Judge Presi-
dent doesn't either. We may kick, may
at the idea but We cannot get away from the fact
that Governor Hughes is solid with the people.
And, son. I'm going keep that in mind when
vote on the direct primary BILL
Quite as much comment aroused among
politicians by the way Herbert Parsons. leader OF
Republican destinies in New York City. stuck
the Governor during his stay in Washington by
ali other affairs Of his visit there The result.
almost tangible is a feeling that somehov-. some
where. the the opposition TO his direct pri-
mary project slipping. sliding. II is premature
to say that there has been any general order
sent out to board the band gon-" The wagon
is ready yet. and, moreover. there IS nobody