The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-08-17

THE EVENING STATESMAN tn
on the supreme bench, for it has been
demonstrated beyond a doubt that Taft
is one of the two strongest candidates
the republicans can produce in the next
campaign,
Events May Prevent.
Many things can happen before the
summer Of 1908, but if there is no
change in the course of events, and
Secretary Taft does not become chief
justice, the fight for the next republi-
can nomination is almost sure to be
between Taft and Root. Shaw will be
in the running; SO will Fairbanks, but
these men don't measure up to Root
or Taft, and could probably land the
nomination only in the event of a dead
lock between the Root and the Taft
men.
In some ways Secretary Taft has an
advantage over Secretary Root. 1t
would be difficult to discriminate be-
tween them, as to competency or fit
ness, for the presidency, but of the two
Taft is much more approachable, much
more cordial and makes friends much
more readily than Root Moreover he
lacks Roots tendency for satire, an
instrument that has killed more than
one prominent politician. Both Root
and Taft are admired by the rank ana
file of the republican party; republi-
cans believe the country would be safe
under either man as president, but
when it comes to a choice, Taft's
genial nature, his whole-souled, open
hearted manner and his ever-present
cordially are going to count in his
favor.
! If Taft doesn't go on the bench Root
will have the tussle of his life to Sc
cure the nomination, but from present
indications, the chances of the two
men are about even. 1t is impossi-
BILE to pick the winner.
Penrose In Peril.
| If the revolt against graft and cor
ruption in politics in Pennsylvania re-
suits in the overthrow of the present
| republican machine, Penrose of Phil
| adelphia will be turned out Of the
United States senate at the expiration
of his term in 1900. Penrose inherited
the leadership of the republican ma
chine from Matt Quay. For the last
few years before mis- death Quay en-
trusted the active control of the ma
chine to Penrose, his faithful lieuten-
ant, though he was always shrewd
enough to keep his hand on his lieu
tenant, and gave his personal direct
ions which were followed out by Pen
| rose. Upon Quay's death Penrose sue
ceeded to the leadership, but ne has
proven to be a small man f1oundering
around in a big mans SHOES. Pen
cessfully control the Pennsylvania ma
chine for a long term of years; ne is
| no fitting successor to Quay, in point
Of competency, though he possesses
many of Quays notorious traits.
Moreover, there are many Pennsylvania
republicans who have no love or re-
spect for Penrose and these men are
| restless under his attempted manage
| ment. 1t is freely predicted that as a
| result of the late exposures and the
| earnest campaign for purity in politics,
that the PenroSe machine may be over
thrown, and that some new boss will
be raised up, not to fill Quay's shoes,
but to wear a clean new pair, made for
him by the voters of the Keystone
state. But the loss of Penrose will
The senior senator from Pennsylvania
is big man physically, but that is ALL
and the senate won't bewail his defeat.
1t would rather welcome the advent of
another senator on the order Of P c.
Knox, who succeeded Quay, clean,
brilliant, untainted politician, VINO is
a credit to his state and to the SEN
ate.