The New York herald., 1920-01-19
ny GEORGE NJ. VAN sLYKE.


ALBANY. n. Y. Sunday.-with tn,
spring primaries -only>.s few months ava,
both the Republican and Democratic or
Sanizations OF the State are torn by par
tisan conflicts. involving both issues anc
men, The attention OF the entire State is
focused for the present on the Socialist
\ issue, brought to the front by Speaker
I Sweet. but behind the scenes the party
! leaders are having their hands full try.
ing TO iron out their troubles in prepara.
! ton for the autumn elections.
IL is difncult to determine which party
organization has the more serious prob
lens to solve. In that respect they are
maintaining their traditional rivalry. just
now, when time is an important element.
both sides literally are suspended in mid
air awaiting developments. Anything may
happen any minute, the leaders say, and
about the best they can do through the
!. medium OF the Legislature is TO watch
, each other TO see that neither gains po-
litical advantage.
Partsan wrangles have broken out in
both camps all the way from Long Island
! 10 Lake Erie The Republican troubles
centre around the numerous candidates
Tor Governor and United States Senator
ard each is contributing gayly to the par
/ tisan conflict The Democrats are hoping
for political capital in the Republican err
rors while trying to patch some of their
own fences.
Developments In Situation.
Out of all this cross fire of political
. purposes these facts appear to stand out
more or less distinctly
Governor Smith has serious troubles
with many of the strong leaders in the
Democratic organization He is said To
ne set against heading the State ticket
IL is regarded as more than political
probability that he will step out of office
At the end OF his term and become a can
didate for Mayor OF New York
Speaker Sweet has taken the lead in the
. Republican race for Governor His fate
and the issues OF the next State campaign
probably will be determined by the out
come OF the trial OF the five Socialist AS
senbiynaen suspended on charges of dis
loyalty. The Republican leaders do not
know which way to proceed until the big
Socialist fight is settled.
Lieutenant Governor Harry c. Walker
rnd William Church Osborn. formerly
State chairman. are first in the field as
candidates for the nomination for Gov
ernor to succeed Mr.. Smith. There is
appearing already in the upstate districts
considerable Osborn sentiment"
When the Legislature convened, barely
two weeks ago, Republican leaders were
almost unanimously of the opinion that
II
race for the Republican nomination for
Governor. with Eugene NJ. Travis, Con-
troIler, a close second. backed by the
strong. Brooklyn organization.
~; Mr.. Sweets Position in Race.
But now it is admitted that the stu
alton has been turned upside down. Both
Mr. Hugo and Mr.. Travis are still in the
race. If the programme outlined by
Sneaker Sweet goes through and he makes
I. 49, I..,&<
he will be in strong position. Even II
he is not successful in capturing the nomi-
nation for himself his friends say he will
have powerful voice in the next State
convention. He may be able to force a
situation which will result in selection oi
a compromise candidate -,
William Barnes. of Albany. is gaining
strength in the Republican State orGani-
cation. His first purpose is to renomi-
nate James W. Wadsworth, Jr., for United
States Senator Although the Senator
faces strong opposition from the women
voters because of his relentless opposi-
ton 10 giving them the franchise. the
prevailing sentiment OF the party organi-
zation is that he must have another nomi-
nation.
With Mr.. Barnes resssertinS his influ-
ence old factonal rivalry is renewed.
George w Aldridge, of Rochester. is head
and front OF the opposition to Mr.. Barnes
There is no sign Of reconciliation between
them. Each has strong supporters.
The Republicans had been counting on
the legislative session TO create issues and
cement their party. But the Speaker s
sudden and sensational leap to the centre
Of the political stage has so upset all
political calculations that programmes
and states prepared a few weeks ago are
. being smashed daily
Fear Possible Reaction.
II the Speaker fails in the Socialist tests,
fear the reaction may prove
% m barrassng for them. They at least will
have handed the Democrats splendid OPP
portunity. The result may be to create a
clean cut radical and conservative issue,
with the Democrats getting the beneflt OF
1he Speakers apparent error.
On the Democratic side patronage has
made all the trouble The state organiza
lion is far from being the united and har-
1nonious body it was when Mr.. Smith car
1ied the state only a year ago. The
troubles however. arc internal and ono
of the things the Democratic organization
appears 10 he able to do successfully Is
fight between elections and get toGether
when candidates have been selected.
The Governors attitude Of independence
never has ceased 10 surprise ana irritate