The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-12-14
OHIO PAPER ATTACKS
ROOSEVELT.
Those Close to Roosevelt Think That
Hanna Instigated the Attack.
Ohio Paper Calls on the
Party To Turn Down
the President.
BY Jos: Oil.


Washington. December 7-rrhe sensation
of the hour. so far as the national CAP
ital is concerned Is the attack upon
President Roosevelt contained In an edi-
toriai of The Cincinnati Commercia-Trio-
une, the leading republican organ of the
Buckeye State. The publication of this
editorial in the local papers has given
rise to a discussion which has completely
overshadowed the Wood case, the presi-
dents message and everything else.
The Commentaries comes out
boldly for the nomination of some othet
man to be the republican standard bearer
In the presidential contest, pointing Wl'A
brutal frankness to the weakness OF Pres
ident Roosevelt the party dissatisfaction
with him and the extreme danger Oh go
Ing into the contest with him as ti7
Lender. Especial stress is laid upon t'e
condition In New York which. Inc com
r,ercial-Tribune thinks. renders 1t prac-
ticallv impossible for Roosevelt to carry
that state There is no mention OF any
other man in particular, though nan d
dozen men are named as more likely than
the president TO unite his party
More than ordinary interest is taken
In this attack because Of the known al
fliations Of the newspaper. 1t is regard
ed az the personal organ of George b.
Cox, the big republican boss OF southern
Ohio, who is very close indeed to Sena-
tor Hanna, and suspicious administration
politicians are inclined to see the fine
Italian hand of Uncle Marcus back of
the whole thing Some of them construe
Il as simply means of forcing the pres
ident to let up on his fight for General
Wood, while others see in it the begin
ming of a systematic campaign In the
interest of Hanna. At the white house
The Commercial-Tribu Is sneered at
as Of no consequence, but those who I'M
dersand Ohio politics and have knowl-
edge Of the interests which control the
paper are OF the opinion that there may
be serious breakers ahead for Roosevelt.
So far Senator Scott Of West Virginia,
is siDout me only republican office holder
of prominence who has. had the temeri-
ty to proclaim that he is for Hanna
above Roosevelt, but there are great
many others who arc anxious for an
opportunity TO line up that way. II IS
not too much 10 say that the present in
dications are they may have the oppor-
tunity.
Three months ago President Roosevelt
MS chances for election. but had no
~0ubt OF the nomination. Now he is
greatly worried have it from one of
his immediate household that he regards
the fight on Wood as directed not al the
general, but at himself. and this Gin
cfnnati a0ack Is taken III white house
circles as evidence of the correctness of
that theory the best indication that
he is greatly worried was manifested to-
day. He had at luncheon Lieutenant
Governor Gordon Of Ohio, personal
friend, and in the course Of their confer
ence Roosevelt asked Gordon the pointed
question whether the Ohio convention
would vote for him or Hanna Gordon
told him that If Hanna is a candidate
Ohio would go for him in whirl. To-
night the president sent an Invitation to
George Cox to come on to WASHINGTON
and confer with him on next Friday
In the midst of all this turmoil Sena-
tor Hanna wears 4 bland and beatifc
smile and talks OF harmony. lie is on
joying himself immense1v