Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-05-25
Presidential Politics

staff Washington Correspondent Of the Phil
adelphia Ledger: Justice Hughes today may
I'D, according 10 shrewd political observers here
has full control OF the Republican presidential sit
uation His position, which has been predomi-
nant for weeks was so emphasized by the Ore
gon election yesterday as TO indicate stampede
to him before the assembling OF the convention.
Upon authority OF the manager OF one OF the
"favorite son" candidates. candidate who en-
tered the field chiefly to prevent the Old Guard
from obtaining control OF the delegates-this
candidate will declare for Justice Hughes before
the balloting begins and by so doing give Hughes
clear majority on the second or third ballot.
The purpose OF the move is TO overcome aetiv-
ties OF Roosevelt and TO destroy any deals the
Old Guard leaders may attempt TO arrange, The
plan is 10 make Hughes the nominee free from
cntangling alliances.
More than two-thirds OF the Republican dele
gates are uninstructed OF this number fully 400
are favorable to Hughes and when the declaration
IS made BY this Yavortc son" candidate he may
gain sufficient delegates, pledged and unpledged,
to force nomination on an early ballot
This is not the only Indication Of rush to
Hughes Other "favoritc son" candidates. who
command in all fewer than 200 of the delegates.
arc telling their friends privately that they can
not see any way to defeat Hughes.
The activities OF the Roosevelt league and the
colonel himself, foreboding an aggressive contest
in the Republican convention for Roosevelt, are
other factors which in the last few days have So
lidified sentiment that existed in half-hearted
degree for Hughes Republican leaders opposed
TO Roosevelt and ayerse TO accepting Hughes be-
cause Of his indifference to politicians are forced
TO accept Hughes candidacy as the only recourse.
II they continue TO display indifference they are
afraid Roosevelt will grow in strength and enter
the convention formidable contender.
In Pennsylvania, with Brumbaugh controlling
a portion OF the delegates all OF whom are favor
able to Roosevelt in the final analysis the PEN
rose leaders are forced to take position friendly
to Hughes II they do not make their position
clear soon some Of the delegates will be captured
by Roosevelt The Penrose leaders hope TO hold
their delegates together by voting for Knox on
the early ballot but this course is admitted TO be
filled with danger and Pennsylvania congressman
are expecting to find many Penrose delegates de-
claring for Hughes in advance Of the convention.
The failure OF the Brumbaugh organization to
elect more delegates in Pennsylvania, such dele
gates being intended for use finally by Roosevelt,
has tended to weaken the Colonel.
The Progressives were looking to Pennsyl-
vania TO elect fully thirty-nine delegates for
Roosevelt
Roosevelt lost in the only state where his
name actually went before the people-Massa-
being an unwilling candidate in oregon-came
out an overwhelming victor
Early returns give Hughes big majority over
the combined vote Of his rivals, Cummins and
Burton. The greatest significance is in the fact
that Justice Hughes not only defeated Cumniins
the progressive but Burton, the conservative. In
other words the voters OF all factions in the Re-
publican party united upon Hughes, the unde-
eiarcd candidate This resulted too, after COM
plete campaign by Senator Cummins. Senator
Borah, while declining to comment upon the Re-
publican situation, said respecting the election In
Oregon
What happened there was not unexpected by
me- II Justice Hughes had permitted his name
TO go on the ballot he would have won every
state in the union"
Meanwhile Justice Hughes remains silent. All
efforts made today to elicit statement from him
on the returns from Oregon were unsuccessful.
Former Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock,
who is In charge OF the Hughes movement was In
Washington, but was compelled TO admit that ne
was still without the slightest indication from
Justice Hughes that he approved the activity in
his behalf or that he would accept the nomination
IL the convention named him.
Some OF the candidates from the middle west
find in the present situation cause Tor satisfaction
Their managers believe or at least claim 10 be-
eve that the first battle at the convention Will be
between the Roosevelt and Hughes forces, and
that out of the contest between the two leaders
a situation may arise which will compel the con-
venton 10 return 20 the men in the second rank
Cummins, Fairbanks Burton or Sherman.