The Washington times., 1912-09-07
OSCAR STRAUS FOR GOVERNOR OF
NEW YORK.

NEW toNN.
The Progressive State convention for New York
emphatically gave the lie to charges that it was boss
ed by anybody, and ncidntally proved its supreme
good sense and sanity, by nominating for governor
Oscar S. Straus.
The charge of bosssm would have been hard to
sustain even if Mr. Straus had not been nominated.
Two sharply defined factions were contending for
the nomination, one in behalf of State Chairman
Hotchkiss the other supporting Comptroller Prender
CAST, of New York city. measure Of acrimony
had developed that made it apparent that the victory
of either would leave Bitterness and the party SEEM
ed seriously threatened with schism over its first
State nominations.
Mr.. Straus had been considered from the begin
nng but had insisted that he could not accept the
nomination. 1t came to him at length as the call
of duty, voiced by the cheering of the entire
convention. There was no such thing as resisting
it, and, with both Prendergast and Hotchkiss' names
withdrawn, Mr.. Straus nominated and accepted
1t is simply an ideal nomination. Mr.. Straus
has been one of the nations notably successful men
of business His philanthropies have been Of wide
extent and the most practical character AS diplo-
mat and administrator he made notable successes
He is beloved by the entire people of New York; no
charge of ambition of selfseekng, assault on his
motives or mis- high character, possibly be at
tempted
The Progressive party, with Mr. Straus at its head
will very probably carry New York. This may seem
an extreme statement, but it is not. People who
know what actual conditions in New York, know
it is not.
Murphy has been permitted to dictate everything
Democratic in the State and he has been deliberately
arranging, in the expectation that this year would
bring an easy Democratic victory, to turn the
Legislature the State Offices and the Congressional
delegation 20 the worst element of Tammany. Wher-
ever good and reasonably progressive man has been
found he has been turned down and his position given
to some typical and subservent representative Of the
wigwam. Murphy proposes to have no independents
on guard.
With the Republicans the situation is just as bad
Barnes is bossing everything, with the same purpose
of getting the Old Guard, the black horse cavalry,
back j. power. No matter whether the State should
20 Democratic or Republican, it would have thor
oughly gang-ridden, reactionary administration, Leg
islature, and delegation in Washington.
Against this there has been first, a rising OF
decencys gorge in sign of intense disgust; more re-
Gently a revolt all along the line. the chances are
now that Oscar Straus nomination will rally all the
better forces Republican, Democratic, Progressive
will attract considerable support from the old lnde
pendence League; and that Straus will make rur
utterly without precedent
The fact that the new party has thus taken the
lead in bidding for the support Of decency and cnar
acter may force the hands Of the other parties anc
compel them so far to modify their programs as tc
make some concessions to the better sentiment Osca
Sraus nomination, in the present deporable condi
ton of the old parties in the Empire State, is guaL
antee that the Progressves will better than third
1t is justification for ctrong nope that they will win
1t means that New York has become doubtful State
in new sense. The fighting the enthusiasm, th'
best forces that be set at work, will all be ar
rayed for the new party. The chance for rehabilita
ton and redemption of tho great State, with one
tenth of the nations population, is come. The peo
pie of New York recognize the fact they will no
easily be fooled into throwing away the greatest op
porunity that has come to them in this generation