Evening journal., 1905-08-07
PRESIDENT IS IN
FAVOR OF KNOX
Only Natural Roosevelt
Should Want HIM to be
Pennsylvania Leader
P.NR0SE, HONiV-R, IS A'FAcT0R
BY wM. WOLFF SMITH.

Washington, ID. c.. august ct Is
mot improbable that the next year viii
witness a terrific struggle between the
friends of the administration on the
one side and the Republican organiza-
tion Of Pennsylvania on the other, for
the control of that State. Concerted
attempts are being made on the one
hand TO create the impression that
Senator Penrose is i'm high dlstaVor
with President Roosevelt and the time
Is opportune Cor his overthrow and
that efforts i'm that direction will re-
ceive support FROM the administration
forces. on the other hand equally ae-
tive efforts are being made to show that
all such reports are inspired by malice
and that en- the contrary Mr. Pemose
never stood better with the adminiStra-
tion than he does at present. As
matter Of faute President Roosevelt IS
often credited with interfering i'm state
politics where in TRUTH he has kept his
hands off This does not mean that
the President Is not frank and out
spoken I'm oondemning the methods OF
some of the Republican machines, but
Mr.. Roosevelt is not making an attempt
to regulate the internal affairs of his
party In the various states.
In the case of Pennsylvania. 1T is like
lly shat Mr Roosevelt would be pleased
ito see the "Augean stables" conducted
by the Republican organization in
Philadelphia, thoroughly cleaned out,
but his time is pretty well occupied
ldn looking after the departments at
Washington which appear to be honey
combed with graft of which Il is pOpu-
larly believed here, only the surface has
been so far scratched. He has also
other matters such as the tariff, rail
road rate regulation, the Panama Ca
nal and international affairs of vast inn
portance so that he would scarcely
have the time even should he have tnS
inclination. 10 mix IN state fights. 1t
lis natural that Senator Knox should
be credited with being the admindstra-
tion's choice for State leader in Penn
sylvania because of his former presence
i'm the Cabinet and the high admira-
tion whioh il is well known the Presi-
dent emtarteins for his ability and
sterling qualities.
Ii is doubtful, however. whether the
President would go further than to let
lit be known that in case a change
should be made i'm the organization, he
would be pleased to see Senator Knox
selected as the leader. Notwilthstand-
ling the powerful influence of the Penn
sylvania Railroad, the president of
which was one of Mr.. KnoXs leading
supporters for the Senate. it is improb-
able that he could have secured the
appointment and subsequently the cleo
ltion to succeed the late Senator Quay
had Senator Penrose not heartily ac-
uuiesced in his selection. A break be-
tween the two would be deplored by
Republicans everywhere for both are
men of ability, Senator Knox measur-
ling to the size of Presidential. timber
were it not that he halls from an over
whelmingly Republican state. Senator
Penrose has still four years to serve
and IS chairman Of the Committee on
Post Offices and member of the great
COMMITTEES on Finance, Commerce and
Naval Affairs. as we'll as several others.
to say nothing Of being head of the
Organization in Pennsylvania. 1t is not
probable the Administration viii go out
of Its way to pick a quarrel with him.
The case OF Maryland may be cited
as showing that the President prefers
to keep his hands off Of rows in state
organizations. Several years ago Sena-
tor McComas ana Representative
Mudd had a bitter fight. Mr.. McComas
did not endorse the tactics suggested
by Nir. Mudd, with the result that Sem
ator German regained control of the
sts.te and retired both Senators Well
Mngton and McComas. The latter was
given "a place on the District OF Column
bia Court of Appeals and the entrance
"a,
taken as an indication that the latter
was to be regarded as the successor
of McComss as the leader. This did
not suit Mr.. Mudd. who fer years
has held his seat I'm the House Of Rep
ressntatives, notwithstanding adj a.
fonts of his enemies in the Republican
party and the Democrats TO dislodge
him. Being the only man in Maryland
who is absolutely dictator IN his own
district, Mr. Mudd has been a formida-
BILE power in State politics.
! II WAS therefore no surprise when
/ Senator McComas having been elimin-
ated Mudd reached out 70. the State
organization and won his fight for an
early State convention by a vote OF 16
TO z. tn the face Of the opposition Of
Representative Wachter OF Baltimore,
the City Chairman Of the Republican
committee and Collector of Customs
stone, the city leader of Baltimore. Mr..
Mudd is quite as much a practical poll
ticlan as Senator German and should
lhe be chosen state leader OF the Re
publican organization, viii doubtless
give the astute Senator 4 hard contes,
over the Poe amendment. a pet meas
ure designed by the DemocraU. leader
to disfranchise the colored vote and
make Maryland solidly Democratic. In
view Of the recent pronunciamento con-
cerning the activity of Federal Office
holders i'm politics. Mr.. Stone. and the
Collector of Internal Revenue. Mr.
Goldsborough, are quite active in tnis
fight.
Senator Chauncey Depew is back from
Paris and promises TO give out a state
ment Of his connection With the Equita-
bic muddle as soon as ne oan carefully
consider the latest official" news con-
corning that organization. Washins sstor
is deeply interested in the Equitable
at present fer Il has drawn heavily or
this city for talent Three prominent
officials have already been supplied
ito the rejuvenated corporation, the
president the comptroller and the press
agent. Il is doubtful which Of the thret
WIN in the long run prove tho mosi
valuable acquisition. So far MIR. DepeW
IS the only Senator directly connected
with the Equitable and his friends here
ententain no doubt that his conduct ha,