New-York tribune., 1918-05-08
Attorney General, Here,
Refuses to Deny That He
Will Seek Nomination
His Decision Depends
On Aldridge's Course
If Latter Deserts Governor
for Old Guard Upstate, He
Will Probably Run

Merton E. Lewis, State Attorney
General, came to New York yesterday
following the announcement in Albany
that he did not intend to be candi-
date for denomination on the Whitman
ticket at the September primaries.
When seen at the Murray Hill Hotel
Mr.. Lewis still declined to discuss the
report that he might enter the prl-
maries against Governor Whitman for
the Republican nomination.
He did say, however. that he would
not be candidate for the Supreme
Court bench in Rochester, one of the
reasons advanced for his determine
tion to leave the state service.
81 am not a candidate for the Su-
preme Court, and | will not be nom
mated" said the Attorney General.
The Attorney General said that in
view of his decision to retire from his
Office at the end of his present term
he was going ahead with arrangements
for the resumption Of the practice of
law in Rochester, his home city.
Whitman Men Worried
The fact that Attorney General
Lewis stated that he would not be a
candidate for the Supreme Court and
at the same time refused to discuss
the possibility of his seeking the gu
bernatorial nomination was a live
topic in political circles here last night
Some of the Whitman leaders were
said to be considerably worried over
this turn.
1t is clearly understood that the At
torney General has good many friends
who are strongly urging him to run
against Governor Whitman. Some of
them believe that if the pressure is
strong enough he can be persuaded to
enter the primaries. The question is
by no means settled, however, as to
whether Mr.. Lewis will be available. it
was said. That was a matter for him
self to decide, and the sooner he de-
cided the better-for the anti-Whit-
man leaders. They expect that he will
eventually look favorably upon the
project.
The Whitman men at this end of the
state realize what Mr.. Lewis's candi-
dacy would mean. 1t would mean that
a powerful combination of cold guard
leaders upstate, headed by George w
Aldridge, Republican leader of Monroe
County, the Attorney Generals political
spSnsor, and including William Barnes,
Of Albany; Senator Elon r. Brown, of
Watertown; William Ward, leader of
Westchester, and United States Senator
James w. Wadsworth, jr., would gather
all the anti-Whitman forces for big
drive against the Governor. The local
Republican leaders are willing to con-
cede that this would result in poten-
tial organization against Whitman
Some of the leaders are inclined to be-
lieve that under such circumstances
the Attorney General would beat Gov
ernor Whitman in the primaries.
Decision Rests With Aldridge
The leaders here assume that the
final decision as to Mr.. Lewis's candi-
dacy rests with Mr. Aldridge. The
Whitman men still claim that Aldridge
is with them. Other leaders who would
like to see the Governor renominated
are not so sure. Some of them believe
that the Monroe boss has already made
up his mind to support the Attorney
General. The Whitman leaders here.
and that includes most all of them, ex7
cept one or two of the doubtful Crop
as if Attorney General Lewis, or any
other candidate, could not hope to beat
Governor Whitman in the primaries
At the same time they expect trouble
some opposition to develop from sew
eral sources.
The New York leaders point out that
practically all of Governor Whitman's
associates in the state offices can be
relied upon to keep their agreement
with the Governor to run again with
him. They say if one man breaks away
as it might be in the case of the At
torney General-all the others would
have to go after him and exert every
effort to defeat the truant. Naturally
they want to see Governor Whitman
win to save their own hides. If Gov
ernor Whitman lost the nomination il
would be most likely that all his run,
ming mates in the other state offices
would fall.
Attorney General Lewis said that he
had come to New York on purely bust
ness matters connected with the Attor
ney Generals office. He declared that
he did not expect to confer with any
political leaders while here.