The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-31

l<tA WA must elapse before any dele
 gates are chosen to either of the national conventions of the two great political parties, there are perhaps score of statesmen who are getting out their lightning rods in the hope that the Presidential bolt may strike them. With the republicans the field is not large, although in a twelvemonth, the number may be materially augmented. Much de- bends upon the developments of the com- ing year.
 With the prestige of administration and the power of federal patronage, the Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, of course, has the advantage over all the others of his party, yet there is no doubt that influences are quietly at work beneath the political sur face to develop sentiment against the President and prevent his nomination. Precedent is also against Mir. Roosevelt. Never has a vice president succeeding to the Presidency been nominated for that high office at the expiration of his term.
 In each individual case there seems to have been distinct reasons why this has not been done, yet precedents are in these days regularly broken, and 1t may be smashed In the case of MT Roosevelt. He is certainly the most aggressive man who has succeeded to the office by reason of the death of his chief and by the time the convention meets he will have had nearly three years in which to shape the organization to his own ends, if he is able to do so. Already, however, efforts have been put forth to corral the south ern delegates in the interest of some can didate other than the President. The others who have been mentioned as possi- ble candidates are:
 The Hon. Marcus A. Hanna, senator from Ohio, and chairman of the repub- lican national committee. It is generally conceded that should he definitely de- clare himself to be a candidate he would be able to carry off the honor, and there are many who stand ready and willing to go forth and fight for him If he will but say the word. The chief objection raised against Senator Hanna is his age. The senator is now 63. He would be nearly 
 elected, and nearly 69 before the expira- tion of his term.
 The Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, senior senator from Indiana. He has not an- nounced his candidacy either officially Tor unoffcially, although 1t is well under stood that he Is in a receptive mood, and that his friends are carefully guarding his interests, and doing some quiet work in his behalf. He comes from a state which will be part of the battle ground in the next campaign, and Is power within it. There Is no doubt that he has aspirations.
 John c. Spooner, senior senator from Wisconsin. Senator Spooner occupies much the same position as does Senator Fairbanks, and there is good reason for believing that his friends are feeling the public pulse to ascertain whether or not it beats with sympathy for the Spooner movement Senator Spooner Is without question one of the aolest men in the republican party, and although he has achieved much his record IS also famous for the honors offered to him and which he has refused.
 For instance, in his autobiography In the "Corgressional Directory" he refers more pointedly to the offices which he has refused than to those he has accept ed. He says he was rendered the office of secretary of the interior vice Cornelius N. Bliss, but declined; also membership on the joint high commission, but de- clined it; also the office of attorney gen. eral, but declined it; also that he de- clared he would not be a candidate for reelection to the senate, but that not withstanding he was chosen for another term.
 The Hon. Seth Low, mayor of Greater New York. Mr. Low has also been men, tioned, but any chance which he might have may be seriously injured should he stand for reelection on the fusion ticket and be defeated by Tammany. In the race for the democratic nomina- tion there Is a much larger number of entries. MT. Bryan has laid down the rule that the nominee must be a man who supported the party in the campaigns of 1896 and 1900, and should this be adopted 1t will eliminate some of those who are