Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-29
New York Republicans in a
Condition of "BIue Funk"
ROOSEVELT'S AID SOUGHT
Bosses Sullen Over the Necessity
That Confronts Them.
PEOPLE WITH THE GOVERNOR
Resentful at the Opposition to His
Plans-Much Depends on the
Action of the Legislature.

Special From STAFF Correspondent.
NEW YORK. June 29.-'What is the
matter with the republican party in New
York state? What is the eXigency ne
cesstating Theodore Roosevelt exertins
his personality to save the. party and
calling Gov Hughes from his prospective
place on the Supreme bench to run again
for governor?
These are questions which naturally
suggest themselves in the light of recent
DEVELOPMENTS and in the face of the un-
doubted condition of blue funk In
which the republicans of the Empire
state now and themselves. The express
sion blue funk" / quote from the ad-
mission of a republican leader In the
couse or conversation today.
And in this connection 1t may be re-
marked that while admitting the condi-
ton of distress which confronts them the
old-line leaders are sullen over the pros
pect Of having to seek aid from either
Hughes or Roosevelt, although they will
do it in the end and accept it with such
grace as they may summon.
Not in Accord With Hughes.
| For IT is known to all men that the
old-line political leaders in this state are
not in harmony with Gov. Hughes. He
has gone ahead Of them and in meas
ure has tied them to his chariot They
must follow-follow perforce-or fall by
the wayside. Col Roosevelt was quick
to recognize this condition upon his re-
turn and promptly passed the word tnat
/ k.N to
And again, in passing, let it be noted
what a tribute to Roosevelt is presented
in the existing situation Here he 49,
scarcely a fortnight landed on these
shores, and already hailed as the leader
Of his party in the state.
| 1t is by natural selection that the lead
ership comes to him. There is hiatus
in the party leadership. Tom Platt is
dead, Odell Is retired. the district chief
tains are sitting tight in their respective
bailiwicks-William Barnes in Albany,
Kraake in Brooklyn, Fred Greiner in
Buffalo. Merritt in Niagara, Malby in st.
Lawrence, Aldridge in Monroe. and 30
down the line, but no strong man at
| the head.
| Hughest is the. titular leader and, in
fact, is the leader OF the rank and file OF
the voters. but not of the district bosses.
They oppose his measures in the lesis-
lature ana are jealous Of his prestige.
New York republicans are accustomed ia
d boss and work best under one. but he
will deliver the goods" Hughes will
not. never has and never will.
| VIII ROOSEVELT His record answers
yea. He has always been regular" al
ways with the machine when the machine
would DO his bidding. 1t may be regarded
as certain that the machine will obey
him in New York-or there will not be
any machine.
| Col. Roosevelt it il said, is fully alive
to the fact that there Is something the
matter with the republican party in his
state and that vigorous measures ars
needed and vigorous and popular man
as well to lift the party from the slough
OF despond into which it has fallen.
Many Things the Matter.
| Many things are the matter with the
! republican party in New York state. First
in the count is the fact that the voters
in this state include large element oil
| independents. men who will not be tied
to either party. but change with the
times and conditions as they see them
/ Many OF these men are noting with dis.
| trust the differences between Gov
| Hughes and the petty bosses and are
Navering in allegiance to the party man.
agenent which seems to oppose the gov
ernor. AS their distrust grows. so does
their resentment, and naturally they turn
| to the Opposition.
The scandals at Albany, the disclosures
in the Aids case. have affected the party
| The opposition to Gov. Hughes plan foi
direct nominations has affected the party
The uf,savory revelations in connection
with the acceptance Of sheusand-delIaf
check by George w. Aldridge have affect.
ed the party. The cry of high cost OF Hvins
| and alleged extortion of the protective
tariff has affected the party. The gen.
eral ddsgruntlement over fractional dif.
| fefences and the tension between the
governor and the petty leaders have at.
| fected the party.
1t may be that the situation is exag-
for the worst. and the shrewdest poll poll
| ticians always look for the worst first,
| In order to overcome it. But the fact re-
mains that the republicans are blue and
are casting about for q means of saliva
tion.
Much Depends on Legislature.
A great deal will depend upon the &C.
ton Of the legislature at the extraorti-
nary session now sitting at Albany. The
wisest heads in the party are cogitatins
plans to get results 1t will be recalled
that the object Of this session IL to pass
some kind Of q law for direct nominal
tons in this state. In conformity with
Gov. Hughes demands: to broaden the
scope of the graft investigation, and to
| enact form of direct taxation to meet
the necessities Of the revenue.
| The rank and hleof the legislators are
| averse to the direct nominations plan.
Gov. Hughes claims that the people want
/ II. He IL willing to accept a compro.
mise. providing that there shall be d.
rect nomination of state senator's. AZ
semblymen. representatives in Congress
and county officers, with d state conven-
| ton to name state officers.
| 1t Is claimed that direct nominations by
primaries would be Objectionable for two
reasons: First. because Of the expense
to candidates, resulting in only wealthy
men running for once. and second, be-
cause II Is advisable to distribute candi.
dates for state ofYlees geographically. The
compromise would meet the latter OBJ
lection.
/ Suggestion Of Direct Tax.
Some of the republican leaders are vefs
much downcast over the suggestion 70,
a direct taax. put forward by the cover
nor. The republican party under Odel
abolished the direct taxes and placed thu
1 >e