Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

Not the least interesting development in connection with
the trial the case of Barnes Roosevelt that in rea
ton to the nomination and denomination of Hughes for the
governorship of New York We believe the part taken
by Roosevelt relation to the choice of Hughes for second
despite developments during the aers first term as
governor is thoroughly characteristic.
When the New York State republican convention as
sembed in Saratoga Springs in 1906 widespread uncertainty
prevailed to the selection of standard bearer Governor
Higgins had measured to the possibilities the
pecaons of the position There marked opposition to
his denomination. Moreover nterregnum existed. Ex
Governor Ode who had wrested leadership of the Repub
can party Boss Plat temporarily his political
star ecipsed by the stellar light in Washington.
The republican delegates had been accustomed to be-
ing they did not know how to take advantage
of the situation by going ahead and nominating of
choice. For days the State convention mark
while the wires to Oyster Bay kept hot by those
trying to solve the problem The correspondence pub
hed shows that Roosevelt apprehensve Of the
Hughes might follow but the logic of the situation led Roose
welt to recommend the choice of the who had turned
the binding light of publicity the insurance scandals in
New York and the word at spread from mouth to
ITS TIughes It's Hughes!'
1t will be recalled that following the election of Hughes
President Roosevelt ventured to offer his cooperation to the
former in connection with State matters but Hughes
clearly resented any interference from that We
have explanation of this Development but
have always believed since watching the proceedings Of the
State convention in question and subsequent political develop
men in the Empire State that thus early Governor Hughes
scented presidential possibilities from affair." while Roosevelt
farSeeng all probability realized that Hughes
must be either for his leadership against it.
Those who attended the annual banquet of the Vermont
Fish and Game League at Bluff Point preceding the opening
Of the campaign of 1908 will recall the impetus given that
occasion to consideration of the of Hughes pres
dental availability The rank and file of the Republican
party the Green Mountain State unQuesonaby for
Hughes but the Roosevelt administration aided by various
office holders in Vermont able to prevent the instruction
of the republican delegation from this State for Hughes and
it went unnstructed.
In the meantime despite knowledge of the trend Of af
fairs in connection with the possible candidacy Of Hughes
and spite of the rebuff suffered at his hands President
worked his denomination for the governorsh
The correspondence read into the evidence at Syracuse takes
up the thread of the story at this point.
We given officially the secret history showing
how William Barnes and Congressman Herbert Parsons who
Roosevelts chosen spokesman the State
ton that originally nominated Hughes sought in vain to
block the denomination of Hughes for the govenorsp in
1908 transpires that Barnes Roosevelt in the
White House that the barber shop opinion all against
Hughes and he demanded to know whether the President
going to make his friends cut their threats.
Congressman Parsons predicted that Hughes would de-
oy the republican organization and he declined to accept
responsibility for the nomination. particularly in view of
the result of the struggle direct primaries.
President Roosevelt directly responsible for the nom
nation in 1906 of Hughes in place of Ex-Governor Black
who stood ready to accept the nomination. had right
to feeling of resentment over the way in which Hughes
straight his independence domination Yet Roosevelt
wrote to Barnes that while it was going to
hurt to renonnate Hughes it would him
down. and that his best advice and best judgment demanded
the denomination Of Hughes.
These CHARACTERISTIC appear in Rooseves let
ter to Barnes "t is not pleasant for to support man
who has wanony behaved badly to the very men who did
most to his election. would approve his turning
them down in the public interest but object to its being
done wantony.' Bennett, Sherman and Dady in
sist that there alternative to his denomination Hitch
cock says that not to renomnate him would be harm to the
outside Of New York well in his Judgment in
New York; may add that every one present
agreed keep absolutely quiet in this matter and to
suit with you among others before any kind of conclusion
announced
There have in a nutshell the opinion Of the Roose
we'll the Barnes organization relative to Hughes
in 1908 Hughes had gone to extreme lengths in seeking
force direct primaries later champoned by Roosevelt
He had pushed track legislation and he had done var
things antagonize regular organization republicans
The question arises What effect, if any, will these
disclosures Syracuse Of secret political letters have
discussion Hughes connection with the presidency II
the introduction Of this correspondence by Barnes
intended now to head off Hughes whom he has for
given assang his leadership and will it have that ten
dency? Or will these disclosures show that Hughes thu
original antboss crusader in the Empire State and that HI
is the logical candidate in 1852 Granting the latter vii
publication of these letters tend to prevent the
mou nomination regarded absolutely necessary to at
Hughes from the bench from going to him
and thus make the nomination of other candidate
foregone concusion These the questions ke
| to be answered inside of a few months.