, 1907-06-13

In writing to his paper. Mr.. Watts ex'
presses himself as follows:
Wyoming is n of the. states where
a systematic effort has been made to
obtain an expression of he popula,
sentiment relative to the presidency
The result showed that President
Roosevelt has a firm hold On the affec-
tons OF Wymoing republicans II that
fully rs per cen of them favor his re-
nomination n reelection, or to
Secretary Taft as the strongest and
most desirable candidate to head the
national ticket next year.
This expression was obtained
through a canvass made by William
C. Deming, editor of the Wyoming Tri-
bune. Mr.. Deming's representatives
polled a large number OF The citizens
of Cheyenne, and he then had queries
addressed to all the newspapers of the
state AMI to all the members of the
state legislature.
1T had beer asserted that Presiden!
Roosevelt's popularity in Wyoming was
waning said Mr.. Deming today in
telling of the canvass he had made.
1 did not believe it, n | took the
one means Of finding out definitely.
We interviewed merchants, doctors.
lawyers, railroad men,, farmers-in
fact, we went after every man we
could reach. Out of the whole num-
Der of men interviewed only six OK
pressed the opinion that the president
was losing anything of his popularity
In this state, and over three-fourths of
them favored Roosevelt for president
in 1908, or named Secretary Taft as
the man who will carry out the Roose-
welt policies most a~cceptably.
81 am satisfied that this was a fair
expression of the sentiment of the peo.
pie of wyoming. Certainly IL was, il
any reliance is to be placed in a straw
vote or canvass of that kind. The re
suit confirmed my own opinion as to
the attitude of Wyoming republicans,
and think it showed where this state
will be in the national convention con.
test next year
Charles w. Burdick, chairman OF
] Ilt republican Sldtt SOhiihitttC, WINCH
asked his Judgment as to the attitude
of Wyoming in the presidential fight,
referred to the canvass made by Mr.,
Deming.
$50 far as | know said Mr.. Bur.
dick, only one effort has been made Ia
get an accurate expression Of the senti,
ment of this state, II that was in the
canvass made by Mr.. Deming, of the
Tribune. That showed that popular
sentiment is overwhelmingly with
president Roosevelt and indicated that
a majority of the republicans of this
state desire the denomination of the
president, or the selection of a candi.
date who is in thorough harmony with
the administration.
Secretary Taft was favored more
than any of the candidates who have
been mentioned in connection with the
presidential nomination next year.
There are two reasons for Mr.. Tafts
popularity and strength in Wyoming.
In the first place, he has been closely
identified with all of the important pol,
icies of the administration, and it is
generally understood that his candi-
dacy is regarded favorably by Presi,
dent Roosevelt himself. In the second
place, Secretary Taft has been here,
and a great many Of our people have
had an opportunity to see and hear
him. He spoke in Cheyenne on the
eve of the election last fall, and
never knew a speaker to make a bet
ter impression on IN audience than
the secretary made on the immense
crowd that turned out to hear him in
Cheyenne
State Chairman Burdick who Is Il
former Ohio man, by the way, his
home having been in Toledo, would not
express an opinion as to the likelihood
of the instruction of the Wyoming dela-
CATION for Secretary Taft or any other
candidate. Nor would he indicate his
personal choice of the various candl.
dates now before the people.
Assuming that the denomination
of President Roosevelt is not to be
thought of, l would be satisfied with
the nomination of Taft, Root, Fair.
banks or any man who could be re-
lied on to continue the good work OF
the present administration he said.
Edward f. Stable, who is at the
head of the republican organization 10
Laramie county, is one man who thinks
that President Roosevelt has lost some
thing of his hold on the people of Wy.
oming. However, he says that does
not make Wyoming any the less an ad-
ministration state when it comes to
the consideration of presidential poll
tics.
President Roosevelt's policy lela-
tive to the leasing of public lanes In
doubtedly has alienated some Of his
former supporters in Wyoming said
Mr.. Stable. But that does not mean
that the general policies Of the admin
istration are not heartily endorsed by
the great majority of our people. or
that the republicans of the state will
not contest for the presidency next
year. There is unquestionably a strong
Taft sentiment in this state, and there
is also some sentiment for Secretary
Root and Vice President Fairbanks.
.s.u,wauar ;t ;S nv ppipipp that the