Evening journal., 1909-01-13
Wednesday, January 10, 1909
HUGHES LOOKS no MERIr.

T. ROM their point Of view the political spoils-
- men who so vigorously opposed the re-
nomination of Governor Hughes of New York,
were right
Ii will be recalled how desperately they
fought to prevent his denomination. Woodruff,
and the rest OF the bosses, big and little,
died in the last ditch and expired only when the
Rooseveltan pressure had been brought to bear
upon them 1t was imagined at that time that
Roosevelt discredited by the Interests refused
the honor Of toast at notable dinner, had lost
his influence and prestige, but when the time
came the President, as usual, got what he
wanted The opponents of Hughes thoroughly
believed that it he should be elected Governor,
he would have no sympathy with them or their
methods, and alas, that opinion has proved for
them to be only too true.
The Governor is fighting the bosses as hard as
ever. lie is urging the nomination OF candi-
dates by direct primaries. There is some oppo-
sition to this plan besides that of the political
bosses. Doubt is expressed as to whether the di-
rect primaries in New York would be effective
or would show, is claimed, that the people
have not been getting what they wanted Yet
on the other hand, many political conventions in
large states are simply farces Delegates sit in
conventions $50 many wooden men, and they
are about as Wseful in q convention as men Of
straw would be. They open not their mouths,
and If they have any views those views are
never expressed Seldom is there an old time
The bosses of New York are, of course, fight
ing the direct nomination plan as urged bv the
Governor but this is not their only grievance.
The Governor is not disposed TO parcel out the
Offices as the party leaders, the committeeman
and such folks wish Recommendations OF COM
mittees have no weight with him. The commit
tee Of Sussex county which presumed to dictate
TO Governor Preston Lea. the man whom he
should appoint Clerk of the Peace OF Sussex
county can very well imagine the feelings of the
New York workers who have got SO many re-
Dukes of this sort from Governor Hughes that
they have voted him bad man and see him no
more.
Not only this, but Governor Hughes has
placed about 1000 county superintendents, sur
Ncyors engineers and others who will have
charge of the new highway work in the Empire
State under the civil service. The Governor has
announced that all these positions will be filled
bv appointments from the list OF cligibles sup
Aplied as a result of the civil service examina-
1ions.
The Governors decision withdraws from poll
cal patronage about 100 POSITIONS each paving
y salary of about $2,soo The men appointed to
these places will in turn employ hundreds of men
4 in carrying out the expenditure of Sso,ooo,ooo
3 which New York is to devote to the construction
OF good highways.
This huge fund has been raised by an issue OF
\ bonds voted for by the people. The money will
lbe spent pro rate among the counties, with an
average of almost SI,oooooo TO each county. 4
rather handsome sum for good roads. And the
Governor is determined that this money shall not
be wasted, and that no very large percentage ,i
it shall go in rake offs or TO the overseers OF
the work.
The problems confronting Governor Hughes
are similar to those which other Governors must
face in smaller degree and it is interesting
therefore. TO note how such matters are handled
BY the chief magistrate Of the leading State Of
the Union