The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-09
Will Seek to Capture Wads-
worth's Seat, Is
Report.
DISLIKES OWN POST
Finds Arduous Detail Work
of Govenorship Too
Irksome.
A. I. ELKUS FOR ALBANY
j. Sloat Fassett of Elmira AS
pires to Republican
Candidacy.

Gov Smith will not be a candidate
for a second term as Governor. He
will be the Democratic nominee for the
United States Senate to succeed sena-
tor James W. wadsworth, Jr.
Such a report spread quietly last
week and was discussed with the great
est interest in political circles--Repub-
lican as well as Democratic. 1t Is said
that the Governor has conflded to close
friends that this is what Is in his mind
at present. Moreover, the report Is
that Charles F. Murphy looks with
favor on the idea With Mr.. Murphy's
hacking Gov. Smith probably would
have little serious opposition for the
Senate nomination.
Il 10 OF course impossible to verify
these reports, as Gov. Smith is not
talking for publication about his po-
littcal ambitions. But the story came
from several sources near the Cover.
nor, so close as to lead experienced
politicians to lend considerable weight
toit.
Work as Governor IYksomes
Gov. Smith has found the amount of de-
tall in the office Of Chief Executive Of
the State of New York most irksome.
The life Of a legislator, which ne led for
many years in the Assembly. Is much
more to his liking. He Is keenly inter-
ested In national affairs. and 1t Is only
natural that the ofiics Of United States
Senator should be extremely attractive
TO him.
Then there is the practical political
side Of the picture. Democratic leaders
IN going over the prospects Of the party
IN this State in 1920 agree that whether
Senator Wadsworth is the Republican
candidate to succeed himself or not II
Will be much easier to elect q Democratic
Senator than a Democratic Governor.
They have reasons for this.
The general belief, of course. is that
Senator Wadsworth will desire to con-
tinue his service In the Senate As It
looks now the convention system will
not be restored this year and II is
highly probable that the direct method
NJ nomination will be in force In
1890.
Among the Senator's outspoken oppo-
nents are the ardent prohibition advo-
Gates, who do not approve Of the atti-
rude he has taken on that reform. and
the suffrage workers, who have lost no
opportunity to publicly show their Bit
terness toward him
sunras sists VIII Fight Him.
Although the Federal suffrage amend
nsent probably will have passed the Sem
ate before 1920. those who know the con-
sistency OF Senator wadsworth do not
believe he will change his attitude of
opposition to that measure. They be-
lieve the suffragists will do their best
20 take revenge by preventing his return
to the Senate.
So Il looks as though the prospect Of q
bitter fight for the nomination In the
Republican primaries were sure. II
Senator Wadsworth wins n denomination
ne will have the same prohibition and
suffrage opposition in the general cam
pasgn and at the same time will be
weakened, the Democrats argue, by the
primary night. II his opponent should
win he also would have to work against
the feeling engendered in the primary
campaign. While. as they feel now.
Democrats do not see how they can
carry New York for their Presidential
candidate in 1920. and. as rule. a
sweeping vote for a Presidential candi-
date carries with II the Govynorship.
they profess to believe II TO be moro
than a fair gamble that they can cap
ture the Senatorship.
II is pretty we'll understood that ].
sloat Fassett of Elmira, former mem
her OF Congress. who resumed his politi-
cal activities during the administrator
~ Gov. whitman. 40 res 20 be the
Republican nominee for the Senate In
1920. Friends of Gov. Whitman in map
ping out a third term for him a
year ago decided they would support
Mr.. Fassett for the Senate nomination
ernor for Presidential honors But the
Governor was not reelected.
EIkus May BE Candidate.
However. there is some reason to be-
lieve that Mr. Whitman still has politi-
cal ambitions He would not be averse
to going 10 the United States Senate,
his friends say. But Senator Calder
comes from New York city, and the up
State Republicans assert they could
never stand for having both Senators
from the metropolitan district. Those
in a position to know say there Is moth
ing in the yarn that Mr.. Whitman as
pires to return to Albany as Governor
ne may be a candidate for the nomina.
tion to succeed Senator Calder.
George r. Thompson. State Senator
speaking In Albany recently OF tho Re
construction Commission, asserted tha,
Gov. Smith was training Abram ]. El,
kus. it's chairman. for the Democratic
nomination for the United States Sen
ate in 1920. II the Governor has any
political honors IN mind Cor Mr. Elkui
II Is more than likely he is thinking o.
The possibility OF naming him for Gov
ernor. Mr.. Elkus has been connected ir
the past. with much labor and socia
legislation. and no doubt the Governor
believes that in Mr.. E,kuss capacity q,
head Of the Reconstruction Commission
ne can gain much favor from the sup
Dorters Of labor and social movements
Tranklin d. Roosevelt, AsSistan
SECRETARY Of the Navy. is also a po
tsntfaI aspirsnt for the Demoerati,
bsmination for Govsrpor IN isso