New-York tribune., 1918-08-17
Former State Senator Now
Seeks Nomination for
Lieutenant Governor
Will Take Place
Of Seth J. T. Bush
Issues Statement Explain
ing Why He Is Opposed
to Whitman

who last fall defeated Mayor Mitchell
in the Republican primaries, announced
last night that he had decided to with
draw from the Republican primary con-
test for the nomination for Governor
and support Attorney General Lewis.
Mr.. Bennett will be candidate in the
primaries for the nomination for Lieu
tenant Governor, taking the place of
Seth j. T. Bush, of Monroe County,
who, Mr.. Bennett says, has decided to
step aside.
Mr.. Bush was running mate with Mr..
Bennett on the ticket backed by the
New York Federation of Agriculture,
an organization formed by anti-Whit-
man men. This association planned an
amalgamation of the farmer organiza-
tions of the state against the Governor.
but few went into the amalgamation.
Mr.. Benefits statement is in part as
follows:
II am Of the opinion that it would be
a good thing for the Republican party
if Governor Whitman we're defeated
for denomination. He has ripped up all
| the departments of the .tate and
changed them around without any
benefit to the efficiency of the state
government.
Charges Against Whitman
"He has degraded the Department of
Agriculture into a bureau in the De-
partment of Farms and Markets, and in
filling positions calling for expert agri-
cultural knowledge he has selected
Wall Street bankers, brokers and labor
men, instsad of expert farmers. He
has degraded the state organization by
making the chairman a mere clerk in
one of the back rooms of the executive
suite at Albany, and he has rendered
the organization subservient to him by
putting most of the district leaders on
the state payroll in order to further
his political ambitions.
II had hoped for long time that
some man of ability and independence.
such as Judge Cropsey or ex-senator
Harvey D. Hinman, might enter the
primary against Governor Whitman.
was also the first to urge upon Colonel
Roosevelt that it was his duty to en-
ter the race. This unfortunately could
not be brought about, and we now have
a state of affairs where there are two
anti Whitman candidates in the field
! have been prevented from making
the extended campaign throughout the
state which / had intended. Neverthe-
less, l feel sure that with vigorous
campaign in this city for the next two
weeks l could poll the larger proper
tion of The independent vote in the
party. Mr.. Lewis, however, has the
support of part of the organization
vote, and there is danger that with
this division of the vote Mr.. Whitman
might be nominated.
For Success of Party
"The contest has become very acri-
: monious, and is likely to result in bit
ter feeling after the primary. desire
, to sec the Republican party successful
this fall in the Congress and state
elections, and for that reason, in order
]
Of the Republican party, and realizing
that Mr. Whitman cannot be defeated
with two anti-Whitman candidates in
the field, | have decided to withdraw
from the race for Governor and sup
port Mr.. Lewis"
!, Mr. Bennett then explained Mr..
Bush's reasons for Withdrawing in
his favor. The affair of Tolishus, the
clerk in Mr.. Schoencck's Office who was
indicted for sedition, Mr.. Bush thought,
made it necessary for the defeat Of Mr..
, Schoeneck for the Office OF Lieutenant
. Governor. Therefore, MIR. Bush favored
the candidacy Of Mr.. Bennett.
"Thc committee to fill vacancies men
toned in Mr. Bush's designating petit
tion has unanimously requested me to
allow them to substitute my namc in
) place Of Mr.. Bush's as candidate in
the Republican primary for nomination
for Lieutenant Governor" said Mr..
Bennett. II have given them my con-
a sent, and the necessary. designation will
s be filed at Albany on Monday. there
0 fore shall be a candidate on primary
: day, September 3, for the Republican
Nomination for Lieutenant Governor.
=, My name will take the place on the bal
8 lot now held by Mr.. Bush that is, sec
ond place"