The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-11
HUGHES BOOM WAS
BASED ON PASSION
TO WIN 1915 FIGHT
Hitchcock. Crane and Others
Picked "Strongest Man" to
Beat Wilson.
WHITMAN As FAX
TAKEN AS HANDICAP

Hughes's nomination to-day As the Re-
publican Presidential candidate was the
elimination OF one Of the most remark.
able pre-convention campaigns in the
history Of American politics. II was
founded on the conviction among big and
little leaders that Hughes was the one
Republican who could beat Wilson. Mr..
Hughes owes the honor conferred upon
him 10 the delegates and not to any
leader or group Of leaders. The dele
gates. according TO the Leaders them
selves. sensed the ground sentiment for
,iughes and anne to Chicago determined
10 carry out the task that was completed
to-day.
As a matter OF courtesy the avowed
candidates were permitted to have their
day in court. but they were finally dis
carded as not fitted for the times and the
aues. Tho leaders were permitted to
play with the situation for a while. and
then the delegates went ahead with the
work for which they had assembled.
The Hughes candidacy was unique in
many respects. The man for whom II
wa brought into being never authorised
Il nor did no at any time up to the mo-
msnt Of the adjournment Of the v
lion Indicate definitely that he would ac-
cept II chosen. There were no Hughes
headquarters In Chicago during the con-
vsntion or prior to its assembling.
No Bands and Ne badges.
There VA q Hughes organization, but
II vas composed Of volunteers. mono Of
whom ever claimed that he was en-
powered TO act by the man directly con-
ce-ned. Not until this. the last day Of
the convention period did a Hughes
badge appear In the Coliseum. Brass
bands. buttons. manufactured demon
STATIONS and other devices evident in
= convention city were employed to f,u-
Their each Of the other candidates., but
they were not utilized by the men who
came TO Chicago 10 nominate Hughes.
II was a candidacy without a candidate
that won out to-day. IL is pointed out,
and Mr.. Hughes enters the campaign I'M
hampered by commitment OF any
KIND.
The man who first gave direction to
tie Hughes sentiment in Chicago OF who
acted as a political adviser to the
Hughes delegates has never discussed
politics with Mr.. Hughes. This man
Is Frank II. Hitchcock. who managed
the TAFT campaign in 1905 and who
MS Postmaster-ieneral in the Taft
Cabinet. Usually the manager OF a sue
cessful candidate is rewarded by assign
meni TO the craftsmanship Of the ma
'ioual committee.
Mr.. Hitchcock recently told a friend
that he did not take w the Hughes
cause with any hope OF preferment. but
solel! because he and Others associated
Win him were convinced that in the
days Of rcidjus.meut following the
world war II was highly important for
the United states that the Government,
at Washington shou.d be in control of
tho Republicans. They were satisfied
nat the nomination Of Hughes would
result in the attainment of that end.
Old Guard stunned at Outset.
The old time leaders. most OF whom
were opposed to Hughes. were beaten
rom the they reached Chicago.
They were stunned at the evidences Of
Hughes sentiment. They found Hughes
men in every delegation. Minnesota, in
structed for Cummins, was for Hushes.
Massachusetts,, apparently tied up to
senator John w. Weeks. vas led by
Henry Cabot Lodge and Murray Crane,
each saying privately that Hughes was
the logical nominee. that he should be
chosen and would be.
The old leaders found further that
while Hughes was not a candidate the
organization perfected In his behalf by
volunteers to the cause was the most
fHcient piece of machinery in evidence
around the convention. The opposing
leaders tried for a week to effec, n
combination that would beat the jurist. |
nut they finally gave up. and the Hughes |
candidacy walked in. acclaimed by the
very leaders who had resorted to every
expedient known to politics TO head It on.
only two OF the men who took part |
IN This convention fight seem to have |
EMERGED with increased prestige. One
= Mr. Hitchcock and the other Gov.
whitman OF New York. 1t is not
Gained by the friends OF either that
'ney we're materially instrumental In
prlhsins about the result, Rather. they
are given credit for having good political
eyesight in having picked out the band
wagon early in the game.
whitman speech . Haudicap.
"~hi'rnan's speech nominating Hughes
w." III fact a handicap to the jurist.
~ was acknowledged by several Of the
I,uehcs leaders who had hoped to be
an" TO prevent the Governor from de-
..er'ng the speech. 1t has been "A mat
'r OF comment here that the Hughes
never would have consented
- ne Whitman speech IL they had not
reared the Governor would resent II.
II is generally recognized that 80 far
organization is concerned Mr.. Hitch
.ock ~ entitled to some credit. lie came
10 chicago a week or so ago, and got
IN touch with Hughes delegates as they
arrived. He kept them In good spirits
IN many trying hours when things
seemed to ook dark for Hughes, and
n" went AZ far In giving directions as
10 felt that he could. in the absence
a commission to act from Mr..
Mr. Hitchcock did not enter into any
1'dl' with the favorite son or other
."hdldat"s. In fact he refused to enter
mo any conferences with the other
insisting that the Hughes cause
must stand by and for itself or fail. II
y true that yesterday some excitement
was created when it became known that
Nr Hitchcock had conferred with Sem
-''l I"nrose, whom he had studiOusly
avoided up to that time. Afterward II
.e."iu" known that the men met by ac-
s,den' and merely discussed the sltua-
non IN general terms.
Feared r.. II. Colsda't wis.
Hi'r0cock took up the Hughes move
mem last fan. Originally the ex-Post-
'"~,'cr-ieneral and those associated
'Hh him had no candidate. They de-