The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-21
PILGRIMS
EAGER FOR HUGHES
Visitors From Ohio, Illinois
and Indiana Seek Light
From Chairman Tanner.
STRENGTH or r. r..

Frederick e. Tanner, chairman OF tho
Republican state committee. said yes
to-day that during the last week several
political leaders from various sections
of Ohio. Illinois and Indiana had called
upon him to learn what the sentiment
among New York Republicans Is with
regard to the nomination Of Justice
Hughes for the Presidency. lie said he
was not at liberty to disclose the names
of his callers, but that they came as the
representatives Of large bodies OF voters
in their respective States.
As they reported the situation 10 him
there is In each Of these States "A strong
feeling that Justice Hughes ought TO he
the party's nominee. They admitted to
him that Col Roosevelt has "A large fol-
lowing outside Of his own party. Pro-
gressives everywhere are for him. but
now that the belief is generally circu-
lated that the Colonel would like Re-
Republican leaders are thinking of him
as their second apparent, and first real
choice.
Each of the three States In question
is Ted up to local candidates. Former
Senator Burton will get the vote OF the
Ohio delegation or the first ballot in
the convention al Chicago. Former Vice
President Fairbanks has the Indiana
delegation and Senator Lawrence Y. Sher-
man is the favorite SOP choice OF ILL.,
nois. Col Roosevelt will yet the vote
Of most Of these delegates after the pre-
urinary ballots have been taken, ac-
cording to the information Of the Colo
ne.'s friends here.
Mr.. Tanners visitors said on the other
hand that they believed Justice Hughes
looking for If the sentiment in his favor
continues to grow. These men assert
that the Visiting doubt as TO what .1us-
tice Hughes is going to do and say is
uilitating against tho increase in the
Hughes drift. but tina, in spite of this
there is a steady development Of the
feeling that Hughes is the man to unite
the PARTY again. Like many other party
leaders who don't want the Colonel II
they can keep him away, these men are
sc.hing out some one who can tell them
what Hughes will do. They learned
that Republican leaders in New York
state nave been no more successful in
getting an inkling of what Justice
Hughes intends than have been leaders
In other States.
While there has been "A deartl of
political discussion durLns the last two
Weeks--gcnerally interpreted a. the
calm before the storm--thcrc seems TO
be AN impression that Justice Hughes
Will presently let the Republican party
know what his Intentions are. Political
observers see thie year "A repetition Of
what hai iened in 1905. when Justice
Hughes. then Governor Of N.N York.
was finally smoked ont and declared
that he Was "A candidate.
His declaration came too late that
year. in the face OF the strength of Mr..
Taft. backed by Col. Roosevelt. HIS
friends here insist hat he is making
no mistake by hanging back now. They
point out that never before have political
conditions been so complicated. and
that the whole complexion OF affairs
may change overnight. They believe
tina, he is right in wai,ing-some of
them declaring that he should wait until
IN" very eve of the convention.
Mr.. Tanners visitors went away with
the assurance that New York State will
bc tor Justice Hughes If lie becomes
a candidate. Although the party's lead
ers are avoiding whenever they can
anything that looks like closing the book
as regards candidates. IL was pointed
out 10 the men from Ohio. Indiana and
Illinois that al overwhelming majority
OF the delegates had declined to sign
the pledge to Elihu Root. and that Gov,
Whitman and Chairman Tanner, two Of
tn" delegates ~ larsc and both Hughes
men. had effected control of the State
Committee,