The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-12
NOMINEE MAKES CHOICE
Roosevelt, Reciprocity and Revision
Likely to Be the Republican
Slogan in 1904.

Chicago, Aug. IA Washington
special to the Tribune says: It is
now certain that Senator Hanna will
not manage the republican campaign
of 1904, when in all likelihood, Presi-
dent Roosevelt will be the republican
candidate for the presidency.
Mr.. Hanna has acted as chairman of
the national republican committee
since 1896, largely because Of his per-
sonal interest in the late President
McKinley's welfare. The death of
Mckinley has removed this incentive
to active political management, be,
sides which Mr.. Hanna's health will
not permit him to undergo any more
physical and mental strain than is
absolutely necessary.
! More important than these two rea-
sons, however, will be the feeling on
the part of President Roosevelt that
he ought to have his personal repre-
sentative as chairman of the national
republican committee.
Although the presidential campaign
is still two years distant, there is con-
siderable. gossip in political circles
as to Senator Hanna's successor.
Prominence is given to the name of
Massachusetts, and there is much
plausibility in the suggestion that he
will be, selected. President Roosevelt
has a high opinion of his political
~sagacity. 1t was his confidence in
his judgment, as well as his executive
and financial ability, that led the pres
ident to invite him into the cabinet,
and it is not unreasonable to suppose
that the president should wish him to
assume the management of the cam
paign two years hence.
Second Only to Hanna.
With Mr.. Hanna's retirement there
is really nobody except Governor
Crane who fits all the requirements OF
the situation. Postmaster General
Payne, who is the vice chairman of
the national committee, would be a
strong possibility were it not that his
position in the cabinet forbids his Sc
lection. Governor Crane, in 1904, will
be out of politics. He has the con-
idence of the great business inter
ests; he is a consummate manager,
and he is popular. He is young, en-
ergetic and resourceful.
The chairman of the national COM
mittee in each campaign is selected
by the candidate, and is usually chos
en- from outside the committee. This
was the case in 1884, 1883, 1892 and
1896, neither Jones, Quay, Carter nor
Hanna holding any membership in the
committee at the time of their selec-
ton. Should Governor Crane be chos-
en- it would be following the old prac-
tice. . , e~
Not Yet Consulted.
It is hardly likely, of course, that
the president has yet consulted with
him about the matter, although when
asked whether there vas any founda-
ton for the talk, Governor Crane de-
clined to say anything for publica-
ton.
It is Senator Lodges opinion that
the matter has not been discussed Of
ficially, and he does net believe that
any decision will be made for some
time. Mr.. Lodge is confident, how
ever, that there will be a new chair
man of the committee, and he adds
that President Roosevelt and Govern
or Crane are close personal friends.
Quay Also Mentioned.
There has also been some talk to
the effect that Roosevelt's campaign
would be managed by Senator Quay.
This gossip undoubtedly has it's orr
gin in the fact that Senator Quay per-
sonally WROTE the resolution adopted
by the Pennsylvania republican state
convention, indorsing Roosevelt, that
state being the pioneer in advocating
Mr.. Roosevelt's nomination in 1904.
The Three RS.
Mr.. Quay has for some time been
convinced that Roosevelt would neces-
sarily be a candidate of the party two
years hence, and there is a perfect un-
derstanding between him and Senator
Platt of New York upon this point.
Mr.. Quay, since his victory in Sc
curing the nomination of Judge Pen
nypacker as the republican guberna-
torial candidate in Pennsylvania, has
been supreme in the party organiza-
ton in that state, and he is now the
chairman of the state committee.
Even if he should not be the chair
man of the national committee he will
undoubtedly be a potent factor in the