The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-09-29
THE NEW YORK SITUATION.

The indications point strongly to
the probability that the New York
Republican State Convention, to be
held in Saratoga today, will be dom
mated by Theodore Roosevelt and
party in that State from the notorious
"Old Guard" which has fought Gov
ernor Hughes and his reforms so Bit
terly. The party may be on the
brink of great political disaster at
the polls in November, which would
in control, but it must be conceded
that if Roosevelt captures the conven
ton he will win an extraordinary po-
litical victory. The Journal, from
time to time has criticised some of
Mr.. Roosevelt's words and deeds, be-
to say dangerous, and very likely it
will have occasion to criticise him
again, but it sympathizes heartily with
the effort to overthrow the corrupt
ring which has controlled the Repub-
lican organization in New York so
long. The evidence is strong to prove
that not few members Of both the
Republican and Democratic parties in
the New York Legislature have been
implicated in graft operations. Roose-
complish as much in the way of re-
form as Governor Hughes has done,
but his willingness to take up the
fight for reform measures and more
decent party management deserves
the hearty cooperation of all Republic
, cans who desire cleaner and more
wholesome conditions. No other
leader is capable of directing such a
vigorous, aggressive fight
The task that confronted Roosevelt
when he began his contest was not
an easy one. Party chieftains like
Barnes, Aldridge, Wadsworth, Wood
ruff, Ward and Hendricks were
strongly intrenched. The machine
was well oiled and powerful. But
there is one force stronger than that
of any machine and that is the power
of public opinion. 1t was the force
that made Hughes so strong, and
Roosevelt has based his fight on the
knowledge that contest against the
bosses in favor of the Hughes re-
forms would be supported by the
people on the farms in the mill viii
lagos, and the rank and file in the big
cities.
The Ex-President is an exceedingly
adroit politician. He knows well
how to play the game, and given a
good cause he believed that popular
support would compel many of the
politicians to flock to his standard
Events have proved this to be true.
Assuming that Roosevelt controls
the convention, dictates the platform
and the candidates, what of the cam
paign to follow? 1t is altogether I'M
probable that Roosevelt will run foI
Governor and there seems to be IL
the field no strong and popular figur,
who looks like winning candidate
If the Democrats name Gaynor tn,
public will look upon him as irwin
chile The bitter factional fight ant
the record of legislative graft ar
handicaps of most serious nature
At the present time Republican sue
cess seems to be impossible. !
Roosevelt can turn defeat into vic
I tory he will prove himself the maste
: politician of the age.
If the great financial interest
unite to oppose him in New York, a
reports indicate that they intend t
do, this act will give Mr.. Roosevelt
a popular issue on which to appea
: to the people. If he should STUN
y New York from end to end on an an
= ti-Wall Street issue the result migf
y not be added prestige for the tinancif
interests. Probably Roosevelt woul
:. ask nothing better. If he were run
y ming for office himself the case woul
4 be entirely different, but to array Wa
), Street against the Republican tick'
u because Roosevelt had been electe
a temporary chairman of the State Coz
!, vention would appear to be hostilit
y rather far fetched If Roosevelt
" success means a more decent maj
agement of party affairs in the En-
= pire State it will be notable victor
for good government.