New-York tribune., 1918-07-04
Lewis Will Make
Fight on Floor of
State Convention
Attorney General Attacks
Whitman Bitterly in Ad-
dress to Republicans
Sta tes His Position
Governor Charged With Sub.
ordinating Party Interests
to Personal Ambition

In his first address to the enrolled
Republicans of the state, Attorney
General Merton +. Lewis, appealing for
their support in his fight against Gov
ernor Whitman for the Republican
nomination for Governor. bitterly at
tackled his opponent and the Republi-
can State Committee.
The latter he characterized as "an
Office holding state committee" and "a
submissive committee with forty three
oftlce-holders ready to vote as a unit
for what the Governor wants."
Mr.. Lewiss language made it clear
that the fight would be carried on to
the floor Of the state convention in
Saratoga on July 18, where Colonel
Roosevelt, ex-President Taft and Elihu
Root will make the principal speeches.
MIR. Lewis attacked the action of the
state committee on Monday in refusing
to let the enrolled Republicans of the
state select the delegates TO the con-
vention at primaries. And he charged
the Governor with having ordered
that a direct expression of the will of
the people be prevented at all costs"
lie also charged the Governor with
having created new spoils system diff
fering from the old, which rewarded
party service in that it rewards per-
sonal service.
Lewis's Lines Of Attack
The lines of attack which the anti
Whitman forces will make were ind-
Gated by Mr.. Lewis's address. Sum
married., they are: No third term,
submission of Federal prohibition to
the vote of the people and the charge
that Governor Whitman had subordi-
mated party welfare to personal ambi-
ton.
On the liquor question Mr.. Lewis
declared that ''if the Governor is al
lowed to commit the Republican party
to the Federal prohibition amendment
it is in serious danger" Then he
adds:
squarely whether the Republican party
is to be delivered over to the Anti
Saloon League"
Mr.. Lewis said that his position on
suffrage had been misrepresented and
repeated his declaration of principles
in this respect, saying that the right
of the women to vote in this state is
an established fact and that he hoped
and believed the women would demon
strate the wisdom of giving them the
franchise by using their votes as citi-
zens of the Republic and not as a sex
or class seeking special recognition.
D.:-A. nu:..LoII
Mr.. Lewis in his address said:
after allowing the time to pass by
when regular state convention could
be called, the Office holding state COM
mittee, by vote of III to 20, have
denied the enrolled Republicans of the
state the right to vote for delegates
to the state convention. They have
even prevented Republicans from gath
cring spontaneously to hear the great
men of the party speak upon the issues
of the day.
"The majority seems impressive until
we remember that this is submssie e
committee with forty-three Office hold
crs ready to vote as a unit for what the
Governor wants. Governor Whitman
ordered that direct expression of the
will Of the people be prevented at all
costs. He directed that no one be
allowed to vote at the state convention
except delegates selected by the county
chairmen, most of whom he controls
through patronage.
"lf he fears the vote OF the people in
July, how is it possible for him to
carry the primaries in September? |
stand the true significance Of this situ-
alton in the party as | see it.
"When | announced my candidacy
for the Governorship | said that I did
SO for the purpose OF restoring party
government in this state and prevent
ing the personalization Of the Repub-
lican party.
Every party consideration has been
subordinated TO the personal ambition
of Mr.. Whitman. The new spols sys-
tenn rewards personal service.
"The voice of the party stihed, the
Governor undertook to commit the
party to ratification Of the Federal pro-
hibition amendment. 1t is because
oppose this amendment and favor in
stead the submission to vote of the
people Of prohibition amendment that
the Governor has asserted that | repre-
sent the liquor interests. resent this
lmputation as q reflection not only
upon me but upon the United States
Senator'S and Representatives in Con-
gress who voted against the Federal
anu upoii lItOuSdilQS Ol 1Nc-
publican men and women of pure lives
and temperate habits who oppose it.
Asks Chance for People
"rhe people can have no chance to
vote upon the Federal amendment, as
that is solely for the Legislature. but
they would have a chance to vote on
state prohibition and say whether they
want it or not. Neither Governor Whit
+ frin l,1 A,,t, C'a1
League, want the people to vote on the
prohibition question. They prefer to
decide it for them
"Many who are for state prohibition
oppose national prohibition. To illus
trate: The grape and hop growing
regions of New York State generally
vote dry on local option. National pro
hibition would ruin these fertile re-
sions; state prohibition would let them
live. The Governor does not appreciate
this, because he was not brought up or
Il farm, us | vas It is but one Of MANY