The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-17
Curbs Activities of Old Guard
for Mutual Benefit.
HOPES FOR WILLING RETURN
Through New Leadership;
Ready to Listen to Counsel.
Republican Victory Is Predicted
by People in Washington.

washington. June 17.-Charles E.
E4npbes has assumed the practical
leadership of the Republican party
He has set himself the task, at the
outset of the campaign, of building
his own organization. He will name
his own campaign manager, and 1t
will probably be one who is conspieu-
Gus because of his lack of close asso-
citation in the past with the old lead
ership of the party.
Nj Hughes is engaged in BROAD
constructive effort to win back the
Progressives to his support. To achieve
this. he has served tacit notice on the
old guard that their activities must be
curbed for the future for the benent
of all concerned. His plan does not
look to the extending of invitations 10
any individuals to return to tnelr
former party alliance, but rather py
concrete proof of a purging OF the
Ieaderships to make it possible LOT
them to return willingly. Relying
upon his own record as governor OF
New York, Mr.. Hughes believes that
when it is shown there is new ana
viriIe leadership, willing to listen and
to heed. the greatest obstacle to mar
niony will have been removed
All but Old Guard.
This is the lesson political observ-
ers here read in the events of the last
week 1t has been noted here with IN
teresst and some amazement that "a
hours after his nomination Mr..
Hughes had accepted by wire and
without consultation with anybody,
had rushed to New York and opened
campaign headquarters, where ne
made himself accessible to everyone
who wished 20 call and consult
Hughes has seen
most everybody but the men who have
been distinguished as leaders OF the
national orga nization in the past.
Twice he has consulted with w. Muir
ray Crane, but he has also consulted
as closely with former Progressives or
cid line Republicans who favored
Roosevelt.
The point that is being made is that
Hughes has leaped into the leadership
f1cIn the start. For the rest, there are
the best of reasons for the assertion
that ii is his intention to maintain his
advantage and while he will be diplo-
nlatic enough not to cause a break at
enc end of the line while he is healing
the breach in the other, he intends at
the same time, if it is possible, to hold
the balance even and let it be under
stood that with the nomination of
Charles E. Hughes, a new era in party
affairs has been inaugurated and that
all elements will be welcome on equal
terms.
Preparedness in Party.
The very good reason for this stand
is that Mr.. Hughes realizes it will be
10 easy task to defeat Woodrow Will
son. At the proper time he will at
tend to the issues as they arise. put
his main object is first to get the party
into fighting condition. Along this
line his friends are busily pointing out
that he IS in the sa me superb condition
to assume absolute leadership as was
Woodrow Wilson four years ago. Bet
ter. in fact.
Mr.. Hughes has no debts to pay. He
Is free Of all obligations. The Repub-
lican party went to him and begged
his acceptance of the nomination and
a. candidate precedent, he now in
sists that his leadership shall be su-
preme.
Victory Is Predicted.
And the prediction here in Wash
ington is that he will get away with
it six years in the seclIsion of the
supreme bench have not dulled his
political senses. and he is aware that
the desire of the politicians to win in
their local fights will force them to
get behind him in the fight he is
going to wage.
Mr. Hughes will remain here unit
Sunday night when he will return to
New York for the conference with the
subcommittee of the national COM
mittee. The date for the notification
will be settled then and Mr. Hughe.
may announce his choice for the ma,
tional craftsmanship.
AHDc AoT0D Tn Wcn