New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-03
Connecticut Republicans
Believe Him the Man
for President.
CHICAGO DELEGATES
TO GO UNPLEDGED
Leaders Planning 10 Renominate
Governor Holcomb, Despite
Old Party Rule.
By HOWARD ID. HADLEl.


New Haven. April 1.-The Nutmeg
State swung back into the Republican
column two years ago, when it elected
Judge Marcus II. Holcomb Governor by
an overwhelming plurality fact. a
clear majority Of all the votes cast.
Holcomb's plurality Of 1900 in Con-
necticut corresponds to a plurality OF
about 1861 900 in the State of New York.
Il Is not surprising, then, Governor
Holcomb having made a satisfactory
record, to learn that the Republicans
are planning 70 break well established
rule TO renominate him. Since Con-
necticut extended the Governors term
from one 20 two years no Republican
Governor has been renominated. though
several have sought denomination. Con
necticut, as a rule. likes 20 pass pros
perity and hono:s around. Since the
adoption in 1901 OF the constitutional
amendment by which the Governor is
elected by a mere plurality OF the vot-
ers there has been only one Democratic
Governor Chief Justice Simeon +.
Baldwin, who, elected on a local split
in the Republican party in 1910, was re-
nominated and reelected in 1912, when
the Progressives rose in their fury and
might and smote the staggering Re-
publican elephant hip and thigh.
At that, Connecticut was not one Of
the states where Progressiyism really
fourished Connecticut was and IS a
TAFT state, sort OF Yale state, as L
were There is feeling Of pride IN
Connecticut and Yale Tor William
Howard Taft similar to that just east
Of here in Rhode Island and Brown
for Charles Evans Hughes. So that
while Roosevelt pollcd $4,000 votes in
1912, Taft polled 6S 5000, and Wilson,
by polling only $4,000 about 30 per
cent Of the total vote managed to
carry the state.
Willard {. Fisher. Of Middletown,
Progressive candidate for Governor in
1914. polled only 5000 votes. although
he ran ahead Of his ticket. The Pro-
gressive voters obviously are back IN
the Republican ranks.
Aspirants for Governorship.
There are several men who are anx-
ious 10 secure the Republican nomlna-
ton for Governor, the strongest three
n
Haven; ex-Iieutenent Governor Frank
T. IIealy, Of Windsor Locks. present
Speaker OF tho House. and Clifford b.
Wilson. Of Bridgeport. present Lieu
tenant Governor.
Most Of the leaders seem 20 feel that
if Governor IIolcomb is not renominat-
cd a fight viii be brought on that may
prove serious.
Blakeslec received setback in the
primaries here last night, when Colo
mel Ullman elected his ticket, defeating
Blakeslee's supporters in the 9th Sena-
torial district, which includes this city.
The result Of the primary fights IL
interpreted also AS a jolt for State
Chairman J. Henry Roraback, Of Ca
man. Taken with the recent contest
for the Republican nomination for
Mayor of Hartford. in which the Rora-
back candidate was defeated by a coali-
ton Of the supporters Of ex-senator
Morgan G.. Bulkeley and ex-Lieutenant
Governor Everett J. Lake, the outlook
seems to be harder shedding from now
on for Roraback and his followers.
An attempt was made 20 persuade
ex-President Taft to 80 TO the national
convention at Chicago at the head Of
the Connecticut delegates, but he de
t4lItu. II - uIttISlotu iNdl ne loUK
ago made some engagements 20 lecture
on the nights Of June b. Z. 9 and far
from the Windy City He felt. 10 is
stated, that the party could be reunited
and harmony restored with greater ease
if both he and Colonel Roosevelt were
far away.
But II the movement 10 make the
Colonel the nominee Of the Republican
party gets 10 point whore IL looks
formidable 20 Mr.. Taft it is probable
that some lecture engagements will be
cancelled and that one Of the Big Four
from Connecticut will weigh over 900
pounds.
Mr. Taft Is on lecture tour AZ pres
ent. but his friends here say he has
made no secret of his opinion Of the
idea OF the Republicans naming Colonel
Roosevelt. this year.
Voters Turn to Hughes.
There has been considerable senti-
ment in Connecticut favorable 10 Root
for President; al,o some for .x-Sena-
tor Barton. but the trend lately has
been toward Justice Hughes as the
man to lead the fight. un,il at present
the situation is similar to that in Yer
mont. New HAMPSHIRE. h'ainc. Massa-
chusetts and Rhode Island strongly
for Hughes. There is practically no