Bisbee daily review., 1906-08-05
CBy George Robert Agnews.)

It s a noteworthy fact that Republi- cans, almost to a man, look upon William J. Bryan as the next Demo cratic nominee for President. They admit that if William R. Hearst is elected governor of New York his pres tige will be greatly enhanced. but they offset this with the statement that the strength of the Democratic party is in the West and South. where Bryan is immeasurably stronger han any other man.
 The general of an army, if he knows bis business, learns what the enemy is about and shapes his plans according ly. The fact that the Republican gen erals are shaping their plans to fight Bryan is pretty satisfactory evidence that he is to be the next Democratic nominee; for the Republican generals have demonstrated that they know their business.
 The question then arises. What man is to be chosen by the Republicans to oppose Bryan in what promises to be the hottest and biggest political battle ever fought? In this article no pre- tense is made of answering this ques- tion. for the reason that it involves the exercise of prophecy. and the po- litical prophet, even when right, is without much honor in this i)untry. It is an infringement upon the rights of the private citizen to deprive him of the luxury of phrphesying to suit himself. A review of the political status of several Republican leaders, as viewed in Washington, may, how ever, assist the reader in drawing his own conclusions.
 Th1rIrrn OnnCnr-n1t hoe 4al in various forms the announcement he made on election night in 1904, to the effect that he would not be a can didate for reelection, and would not accept another nomination. His good faith cannot be questioned by any honesI man. Yet, in spite of his an nounCement, it is a fact that his re nomination is not only ardently de sired by great element of his party, but the prediction is confidently made by independent and well-posted ob- servers that Mir. Roosevelt will be re- nominated and reelected. It is also remarkable that a majority of the Re publican members of the House Of Representatives shrewd politicians as a rule, believe that President Roose- welt is the only man who can defeat Bryan. and that when this fact be- comes patent he will be forced to run again These Cengressmen are all candifates for reelection, and they would like nothing better than to have their names on a ticket headed by Theodore Roosevelt. He is regarded bv them as the greatest asset of the Republican party. In the approach ing Congressional campaign. nine ouI of ten of them will make their fight on issues he has made and championed.
 ReDublican Congressman, when asked regarding the contingency Of being confronted with Hearst instead of Bryan. reply that Roosevelt, in that case. would be imDeTatively demanded by the Republicans. The leaders in Congress do not believe that the prin- ciples advocated by Mir. Hearst will have made such headvay bv 1908 as to force his nomination by the Demo cratic raFty in place of Mir. Bryan. Yet if the Hearst movement does ex- pand to such an extent they believe that Theodore Roosevelt alone would be powerful enough among the people to keep Mr. Hearst out of the Pres!- dency
 Assuming that Mir. Roosevelt will be able to retire. as he desires the bulky figure of William H. Taft immediate 1y attracts attention. Tn Washington, as well as in the country at large, Sec retary Taft is regarded as tn most prominent Republican next 70 his chief. He combines in his personality and his political makeup so many en- gazing qualities, and has been so fortu-