Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-29
First Public Declaration.

The foregoing statement of Secretary
position which he has been known to MAIN
tain all along upon the presidency. The
annpuncemet does not change the broad
discussion of his possible relation to the
presidential campaign since it has pro-
ceeded up to this time upon the basis which
he thus outlines.
Ohio politicians it is said will regard the
statement as of Importance in one respect;
that is that they will have Mr.. Taft's an
nouncement as giving them leave, if it is
so desired, TO use his name in case they see
their way clear to making a go Of his cam
ddacy In other words, that he will not
be afraid to go into fight if his friends
want to make one and that Ohio need not
eliminate his name when casting an eye
down the list of favorite sons for prefer
ment.
The statement will be accepted by Ohio
politicians. it is said, as permission to go
ahead with fractional divisions. and in case
of a sharp division Mr.. Tafts name can be
used as ralying word for one faction.
That is all for future consideration, how
ever, as affairs may fall out
Senator Foraker's Position.
Senator Foraker is no more an avowed
candidate for the presidency, it is pointed
out than Mr.. Taft. All of Senator For
akers utterances up to tn time have been
of piece with Mr.. Tafts statement of to-
day. But there is this difference in the rel
atlve political situations, namely, that Sen
ator Foraker is at the head of a militant
faction in Ohio. Not all of his opponents,
however. have been assembled and CLASH
fled under one particular banner.
1t is said that it will be possible hence
forth. if deemed advisable, to rally the anti
Foraker element in sopport of Taft for a
presidential contest, If Mr.. Taft had in his
statement today announced that he would
not accept the nomination under any cir
cumstanocs the anti Foraker element would
he compelled 10 traffic with other Ohoans
Of lesser caliber. ii is claimed. Therefore,
to this extent it is thought that Mr.. Taft
announcement Will strengthen the anti
Foraker faction.
So the politicians are looking forward to
considerable activity in Ohio republican
politics from this time on. Senator For
aker, il is explained, can keep up his or
gauizatiUn without aVowcdly maintaining
it for presidential nomination. lie must
Keep ms senatorial fences In repair all the
time. or course. the organization thus con-
served and fostered can be expanded when
the time comes and utilized in a propa-
gsuda for the presidency.
Some Lesser Lights.
Secretary Tafts selection by the anti,
Foraker element. based upon his statement
that he would not refuse To be a candidate
for their standard bearer. would devastatt
the hopes of some of the lesser lights il
OHIO politics FOR fractional preferment. Il
would cause a community OF interest. it is
said, bat poStponemeut of ambition:
qualification for a number of gentlemen
who are camping on Senator Foraker.
trail-uot many camptires away. either.
The succeeding developments Will com,
from OHIO Mr. Taft ii is said by poll
ticians VIII not be a party to factional ac
tivity as they understand it. but VIII no
decline To bc the beneficiary Of il in cas-,
all turns out well and things come hi
way.