The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-22
IN OHIO.

| 1t Is evident that the fight is on ir
earnest in Ohio. Senator Joseph Ben
| son Foraker does not propose to give
up his hold on the state without a
struggle, and he will therefore try to
take the Ohio delegation to Republican
national convention away from Taft.
The first step to that end was the en-
dorsement of his candidacy by the ex-
ecutive and advisory committees of the
Ohio League of Republican clubs.
Every one familiar with politics
knows that such organizations as this
are frequently simply adjuncts of some
machine and are used as such. The
men who run such clubs, particularly
when there is no campaign on, are
usually the professional politicians. The
ordinary Republican citizen has no
time to devote to such things, and so
their control falls into the hands of
the politician and the man with a
scheme.
1t is not surprising, therefore. that
the Foraker machine is in control of
the executive and advisory commit
tees of this political league in Ohio
The Foraker machine is a strong or
ganization, with workers in every
county. 1t does not follow, however.
that the rank and file of the Repubh-
cans of Ohio are for Foraker and against
Taft.
Some time ago Senator Foraker an
nounced that If there should be a de-
mand for his candidacy he would run
for president. The demand, however,
did not appear to be forthcoming. The
Republican state committee endorsed
Taft, although it would have been by
no means surprising if that, too, had
been in Foraker's control. AS long as
the demand for F'oraker's candidacy
was not forthcoming of itself, it had to
be created, and so this committee of
political league is creating. it. 1t is
stated that the senator will try to re-.
open the Brownsville controversy af-
ter congress convenes, and then use
that as a peg on which to hang his
candidacy. 4
However, Taft's friends in Ohio will
not be idle, and some of them are fair
ly good politicians themselves. There
is no Republican in Ohio who is strong
er with the people than Congressman
Burton-unless it be Taft himself-and
all of Buttons influence will be for
Taft. No other man could have made
the showing against Tom Johnson that
Burton did. The fact is that Johnson
has done great things for Cleveland
and the people are for him for mayor
just as they are for Burton for con-
gresham. For several years no Dem
ocrat has run against Burton in the
congressional election.
Taft's manager has already chal-
lenged the Foraker machine to leave
the question of presidential preference
to the rank and file of the Republicans,
to be settled by direct primary. 1t will
be interesting now to see if Foraker
will accept the challenge or will in
sist on the convention method, with its
for manipulation by the
politicians. 1t is hard to believe that
if a primary is held the people of Ohio
will not declare themselves for Taft and
a continuation Of the Roosevelt poll
cies.
The strength of the Foraker machine
when it comes to the manipulation of
practical politics should not be under |
however. Its head is an old |
hand at the political game. He is a |
fighter and has been through many a |
political battle. He not only has a fine |
behind him, including pol |
ticians big and little down to ward |
workers, but he will also have all the |
outside AID tnat the reacI1Onar1eS can
give him. 1.-THE interests''-Wall street |
and some railroad magnates-will I'M
1oubtedly find a way to contribute |
largely to his campaign fund, in spite |
Of the new federal law against it, The
of course, will help For
aker, for Taft Is for tariff revision and |
doesn't care who knows it. And Fair
banks, Cannon and Knox will undoubt-
edly be on Foraker's side as much as |
possible, for in the elimination of Taft
les their only hope.
While it is primarily Ohio's fight, it
S up to the rest of the country, or that
part Of it that wants to see Roosevelt's
policies continued, to lend what inf1u-
ance it can to the Taft forces