The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-31
THE ENDORSEMENT OF TAFT.

In spite of the protests of Senator
Foraker, who also has the sympathy
and cooperation of his colleague. SEN
ator Dick, the Republican state commit
tee of Ohio endorsed Secretary Taft as
Ohio's candidate for the presidency. 1t
is true that the vote was exceedingly
close, but when 1t is remembered that
Foraker has heretofore always con-
trolIed the party machinery in Ohio, and
that both United States senators were
lined up in opposition to Taft, who is
personally paying no attention to his
presidential candidacy, the endorsement
is a decided victory for the friends of
the secretary.
Senator Foraker has given it out fiat,
however, that he will fight Taft in Ohio.
He says he cannot support the secre-
tary on account of the latter's tariff re-
vision sentiments. He has to have some
excuse and this is as good as any.
Moreover, Senator Foraker made it
clear in his letter that he Is not out of
the presidential race himself, and he
probably intended this for an excuse
that his friends might use for not join
ing in Taft's endorsement. In fact,
Foraker virtually said that he is only
waiting for an invitation from his
friends to announce his presidential can
didacy.
The Foraker letter means that tariff
revision is bound to be an issue in the
coming campaign. Foraker has declared
war on Taft and he has made it evident
that he will use the secretary's tariff re-
vision views for ammunition. Ohio is
great manufacturing state, and he will
use the old appeals to the laboring men
to stand by the tariff, as the tariff is
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to the trust de-
fen1ers-for prosperity and high wages.
Then he will argue to the farmers that
the tariff makes work and therefore
home market for their products. All of
which sounds very we'll theoretically.
but which is no longer true since the
trusts have secured control of industrial
affairs.
One cannot believe that the people of
Ohio can longer be deceived by such
sophistry.
While the acton of the Ohio COM |
mittee yesterday was a victory for the |
of Taft-especially in view |
Of the claim of the Foraker faction |
that it could prevent such action-it is |
evident that the supporters of the |
Roosevelt policies, who wish to see |,
Taft the next president. must not go |
to sleep. The trusts and monied inter- |
ests are evidently at work. They are |
busy in the south help |
ng Foraker to secure the Republican |
delegations from those states. which. |
as has been shown in these columns, |
nave an undue influence in naming a |
candidate. The trusts are |
behind Knox, and Fairbanks, and Can !
non, any of whom would be preferred /
oy them to Taft. They will not have |
% control very many northern states, |
N addition to the south. to give them
control of the national convention. !
Therefore it behooves the friends of
Taft to be active.
Of course it would be suicidal to the
Republican party to nominate a man
ike Foraker or Fairbanks. but the
rusts have so much faith in thu power
If money that they believe they can
.lect any candidate when once noni-
lated on the Republican ticket.
The events in Ohio in the last two
iays-the publication of Foraker's
etter and the endorsement of Taft
ire extremely important and signifi-
ant to the whole nation. in that they
Iefine the situation. The thing that Is
necessary is for the rank and file of
he Republican party to be alive to
he situation. The rank and file is for
he Roosevelt policies. and if it keeps
IS eyes open there will be no doubt
Taft's nomination.