The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-03
WADSWORTH BESET
BY SUFFS AND DRYS
State Leaders to Poll Senator's
Strength in Order to
Play Safe.
FEAR EIGHT IN PARTY
New Candidate May Be Sc
lected if 1t Is Believed
Advisable.

Some OF the most influential Republic
can leaders in New York State are
watching with increasing anxiety the
hurdles being placed in the path that
would lead to a second term for Senator
James w. Wadsworth. Jr. They are be-
ginning to ask themselves whether with
the opposition OF the suffrage women and
the Anti-Saloon League he might win in
1920.
Because the answers differ It has been
decided informally that there shall be a
careful study Of the situation. There is
not likely to be anything official about
the canvass or establishment OF listening
posts throughout the State, but IL pres
ent plans of some active leaders are car
ried out there will be thorough study
of this problem right up to the time when
1t will be necessary for them to come out
in the open and declare themselves.
The prospect of a primary fight over
the nomination for the United States
Senate in this State is not pleasing to
the national leaders. They realize what
lot of bitterness would be engendered
and what energy would be wasted in
such strife just prior to the Presidential
campaign OF 1920. They have urged the
State leaders to get the party together
and keep 1t together and to avoid any
friction that might injure the national
ticket.
Seek TO Avert a Party Fight.
They do not pretend torsay who ought
to be nominated for the Senate here, but
they hold to the general proposition that
the greatest care must be taken not to
involve the party in an intraorganization
fight.
For this reason It has been proposed
that such a careful review of the situa-
ton be made that when the time comes
for ba cking a candidate there will be
something more than the personal opin-
ion of few leaders to determine
whether Senator Wadsworth could win.
The senior Senator is popular with all
that know him personally, even with
those who do not agree with his point OF
view. There Is an almost general feel
ing that he deserves a denomination and
ought to have It unless 1t Is clearly indi-
Gated that he would have such strong OPP
position as to make his election doubtful
You will find that the organization
leaders will all be behind Senator Wads-
worth II II 10 determined that he can
win," said one of them yesterday. He
has made a good record and deserves a
denomination. Personally I do rot be-
lieve that the opposition of tire women
and the Anti-Saloon League will amount
to as much as many think. BY election
day In 1920 the suffrage amendment will
have been passed and prohibition will be
a reality"
However, II these forces should de-
velop into more formidable opposition a
most embarrassing situation would de-
velop 1t is probable that suggestion
would be made to Mr. Wadsworth that
he retire. but that such a suggestion
| would be considered by him is unlikely
To frtepds he has at a I al that he intended
to seek denomination.
VIII he Backed by barnes.
In this ambition he will have the
powerful and skilful backing of William
Barnes. The latter only a few weeks
before the primary took up the candi-
dacy of Robert Bacon for the nomina
ton in 1916, and in spite of the handicar
| of a late start almost succeeded in de-
| feating Senator William NJ. Calder II
| Is believed that Mr.. Wadsworth could
count on the backing of most OF the
counties in the Western tier and OF the
greater part of central New York. with
the possible exception OF Monroe. where
George w. Aldridge dominates the situa.
| ton.
So far no candidate has developed to
| contest the nomination with Senator
Wadsworth, but that there will be one is
| considered a certainty. regardless OF
what the canvass may develop So far
! the name Of j. Sloat Fassett. former
Representative, OF Elmira. is the only
| one mentioned. There have been re-
ports that the women were considering
the feasibility of putting one of their sex
| in the race
The general impression at present IL
| that Senator Wadsworth could pull
| through In the primaries, but only after
| a fight that would weaken him tremen-
dously In the regular election. All these
phases of the problem will be critically
| analysed.