Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-17
BOTH PARTIES ARE AT SEA
Hedges Opposes Domination Of
Barnes, Who Drops Wadsworth.
OUTLOOK FOR TAFT BRIGHTER
Reports Coming to Republican Ma
tional Headquarters Tell of En-
couraging Conditions.

From Staf Correspondent.
NEW YORK, September 11.-Interest in
the approaching contest over the COVER
norship of New York overshadows lor
the moment the progress of the presiden-
tial campaign, as the republican nominat-
ing convention is to be held one week
from tomorrow and the democratic con-
vehtion week later.
At this time both the democratic and
republican organ.zatio are at sea over
their respective candidates. The dramatic
nomination of Oscar S. Straus by the pro-
rressives complicated affairs with the
Two old parties and necessitated recast-
ing of their plans. Further embarraSs-
ment was occas. .oned the democrats py
Gov. Wilson's unexpected intrusion into
their political affairs when he visited
Syracuse last week and SandDagSeu 1dih-
many's boom for Gov. Dix.
In the maze of uncertainty In Whlch
the democrats and republicans find them
selves only one definite proposition seems
APPARENT, and that is that Boss MURPHY
will have to yield his preference for the
renomi nation of Gov. Dix and accept a
man more satisfactory to the radical ele-
ment of the party. The violent attack OF
a New York paper upon the DIX aomihls-
tiation, charging that S23.oooOoo has peen
wasted by the highway commission unoer
the alleged domination of Murphy and
the men he is said to have put on the
commissions pay roll. is expected to make
IL still more difficult for the Tammany
leader to renominate his favorite.
Fair-mlnded men say that Gov. DlX,
Ike old dog Tray. is only suffering from
being found in bad company. and that
nothing definite can be charged against
him. The opposition to Gov. Dix Is de-
scT,bed as being but an historical symp-
ton of the times, rejecting the popular
enthusiasm for progressivism and ant-p-
athy to the constituted political powers
Hedges Opposes Barnes.
In the republican camp the same kind
OF Ieaven is working with resultant fer
rnentation. This statement applies not
only to the out-and-out progressive wing
Of the republican party. but also to
section Of what up to this time has been
the conservative element Of the repub-
lican party 1t was evidenced by the ac-
ton Monday of Job Hedges, who has
been a prominent aspirant for the repub-
hcan glibernatorial ton, in taking
open and avowed stand against William
Barnes, jr., the old-line republican lead
cr of the state.
Mr. Hedges announced that he would
rot affiliate with Barnes, but would seek
lis support among the republicans who
are opposed to Mr.. Barnes "stand-pat
policy Some of Mr.. Hedges friends who
considered that he had good outlook
for securing the nomination deprecate his
s.vowal at this time and characterize 1t
as being rash, although courageous.
Barnes has been compelled to drop
James W. WadswOrth. jr.. as his candi-
date for governor. The upstate leaders
have told him that WadswOrth cannot be
elected because charge OF bosslsm VIII
be raised against him.
Nicholas Murray Butler, president of
Columbia University, and Job Hedges are
the two leading candidates for the nomi-
nation who will fight it out between
themselves.
There promises to be very interest
ing contest at Saratoga between Mr..
Barnes and those who would pla-
cate the radical element of the party.
MIR. Barnes position is rendered more
difficult by Mr. Straus' candidacy on the
Progressive ticket. Although Mr. Straus
has east his fortunes with the third party.
lie has always been a republican and
was a member of President oosevelt' S
cabinet at a time when there was no
faint upon Roosevelt's republ canism.
D.sSat' SIZED republicans. therefore. may
rot md it very difficult TO vote for Straus
II they feel that they have been ridden
down by the bosses.