The sun., 1918-07-08
BENNETT LAUNCHES
BOOM FOR GOVERNOR
Will Retire From Race in Fa-
vor Of T. R., but No One
Else, He Says.
DEMOCRATS ARE JOYFUL
New Candidate Will Widen
Breach in State g. 0. p,
Is Belief.

After yainly trying to induce Supreme
Court Justice James c. Cropsey to en-
ter the race Tor the Republican nominal
ton for Governor former Senator Will
lam M. Bennett SHE'D his own hat into
the ring yesterday. He would retire IN
favor Of Col. Roosevelt. but no ono else
Democratic. politicians were 3ubilant
over the prospect that the Republican
situation would be still further mixed
up. They regard Mr.. Bennett as q great
Democratic asset.
AS between Mr.. Whitman and Mr..
Lewis there is no choice for the voter"
said Mr.. Bennett. Each of them hopes
to win the primary through the infiu-
ence Of discredited political leaders.
Each favors the State government pro-
vided he can name the delegate whose
favor he has obtained by the giving OF
patronage. The contest between them
Is a mere squabble as to who ahall con-
trail the party. machine and who shall
distribute the offices.
'-This Is certainly a most extrordi-
nary situation. The office sought Is the
Chief Magistracy OF the Empire State.
ING WlHncT VIII po az tlc hSeo ~ s's
government of II, 000.0 people and will
have the supervision Of the State budget.
which bids fair soon to be 100000. 000."
Bennett Ready to Run.
Mr.. Bennett said he had hoped that
some man not a factionist and stand
ing for something real would be put
forth as a candidate. As this had not
happened he decided to make up for the
deficiency.
I'm case the situation should develop
he added. $50 that 1t would become pos
sible for Mr.. Roosevelt to become can
didate, 1 would gladly retire in his
favor, as in my opinion he more nearly
than any other man represents the as
pirations and hopes of the American
people at the present time"
Mr.. Bennett thus stated his platform:
II am in favor OF the retention of the
direct primary system. to the repeal OF
which Mr.. Lewis now stands openly
pledged and which was repudlated by
Gov. Whitman last fall. The presen,
law should be amended so that the
county leaders shall be elected by direct
vote so as to make party leadership re-
sponsive to the voters.
IT am in favor of the national woman
suffrage amendment.
WIN regard 10 inc rdtillCatlOU VI tHe
national amendment for prohibition,
consider that IL matter within the
function of the Legislature to be deter.
mined by the Legislature without any
coercion on the part Of tho Governor
My own personal attitude on the ques.
stion Is shown by the fact that when In
the Senate in ls15-1916 I voted for the
extension OF the local option system. as
provided in the bill introduced by Sen
ator Samuel A. Jones.
Plans Agricultural Aid.
The Department Of Agriculture should
be restored to its former important po
siton in the State Government and should
bo taken out OF politics.
ct am opposed to the Socialistic move
ment to put the State and city into pri
waite business with the taxpayers money
in competition with the citizens who pa,
the taxes, and I am opposed to pric,
fixing and price regulation by the State
except in the case of public utilities.
"One of the great menaes to THU
country to-day Is the rapid spread Of
what may be summed up AZ 'Bolshevik
ISM or disregard for the property right:
OF others. A large element in this coun
try has the idea that what other peopl,
have accumulated through industry ant
thrift should be taken away and giveI
10 able bodied oilers. The spread o.
these Sociallstc ideas threatens the earn
ings Of the savings bank deposltor, thu
life insurance policy holder and thu
workman Of every type who by thrift ant
industry has been able to purchase fo
himself a home. Unfortunately. thi,
sentiment has been aided by the hys
terra Of the sentimental rich, who fount
ready listener in Gov. Whitman.
"If nominated and elected shall de
vote my entire efforts to the duties o
the office OF Governor. and shall not u.s.
the Office merely as a means to further
political advancement"
Mr.. Bennett expects TO have the sup
port of the farming communities and de
clares he will carry the city OF New
York in the primaries by a larger major
ity than last fall.