The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-05

Senator Nathan Bay Scott is candi-
date for chairman of the Republican Ma
tional Committee. His expectations are
based on the retirement OF Postmaster
General CorteIyou when the latter be
comes. Secretary Of the Treasury. March
J. How the matter viii work out Is
good deal in doubt Mr.. Cortelyou has
the power. under a resolution of the COM
mittee, TO name members Of the commit
tee to i'll vacancies in the interval be-
tween the meetings of the committee
Whether this c0nfsrs on him the author
ity TO name his own successor is not
clear. The power has never been hither-
TO exercised. Mr.. Cortelyou named Mr.
Harry New, of Indiana. as vice chairman.
and it has been generally believed that
he would ask Mr.. New 10 become chair
man of the committee when he should
himself step down and out.
Politics Involved.
There is naturally, as every one might
expect. not a little politics involved in
the matter. Mr. Scott is an anti-Roose-
welt man. and favors the nomination Of
Vice President Fairbanks Mr.. New
publicans. expressed in their last con-
ventiOn, is also in a measure committed
10 Fairbanks, but at the same time is re-
g8rded as not much more than Iukewarm
IN his adherence 10 the political fortunes
OF the Vice President. Nor is il much
clearer that New would be willing to
champion the candidacy of the man who
might enjoy the preference Of Mr.. Roose-
Welt. SO that whether New or Scott
should get the craftsmanship little Of good.
II is said would be vouchsafed 10 the
Presidential chances Of Secretary Taft.
II is to be remembered that under the
organizing genius of the late Senator
Hanna The national committee is a very
important instrumentality for The deter
minatiOn OF "a choice of a candidate. The
committee maintains a perfect OrganiZa-
ton, and is a-ticulated with every State
and district committee throughout the
Union. The chairman may WELD an al
most lncalculabie power for the selection
of q candidate.
Dir. New, as chairman, il is predicted
by prominent politicians. would hold an
even hand. although he is bound TO abide
by the wishes Of his party in Indiana
Mr.. Scott. on the other hand. il he should
become chairman, would not improbably
lend "a hand vigorously for Mr.. Fairbanks.
Notwithsta nding this probable result of
his accession. Senator Scott makes a
strong claim TO the craftsmanship He is
the senior member of the committee. He
has devoted "a great deal Of time and
ability TO its work, to say nothing Of sub
stantial contributions TO its eXchequer
Wunt a Conservative.
He has the backing of important inter
ests and prominent Republicans through
out the country. These are mainly per-
sons who are firmly convinced that there
should be what is called, for purposes Of
contrast. q Conservative" man in the
White House when Mr.. Roosevelt leaves
IT,
The armor-proof silence that Mr.. Cor
telyOu has maintained in regard 10 his
intentions about resigning the chairman
ship has been interpreted TO mean that
effort was being eXerted 10 secure a sue
cession that would not be mfriendly 10
Secretary Taft. The fact however, that
Senator Scott has had several conferences
during the past week with Mr.. CortelyOu
is regarded as an indication that the
matter is not to be settled entirely by the
present chairman, and that strong in
duence is being brought 10 bear from
within the committee 10 decide the sue
cessiOn. The national committee viii meet
next December 10 choose "a place for
holding the next national convention, and
at that time il would be in order to Sc
lect a chairman. AS chairman in the
interim Senator Scott might have enough
prestige 10 win the prize on which he has
fixed his eyes.