Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-12-18
Some Leaders Willing to Let Cover
nor Hughes Have Delegates from
His state-Bualnesa interests Not
Expected to "Llne Up" for Anyone.
At Present

one candidate.
There have been several confer
ences recently with view of reach
ing some basis for community of
interest. Efforts have been made to
pick some man who would best repre-
sent the qualifications deemed neces-
gary In contest against Secretary
Taft as the first choice of the Presi-
dent. In the conferences, 1t is stated
here. were friends of Messrs. Hughes,
Cannon. Cortelyou. Knox and Foraker.
AS n first proposition It was admit
ted That New Yor% was pivotal
State and ought to set the pace Gov
Hughes was declared the best man to
get the delegates from New York. and
an early convention would start off
his loom with irresistible force. But
there were differences of opinion re-
garding the Governor. Some of the
important men talked with were will
ling 10 take Hughes; others were not
inclined to give him the delegates
from New York with strict instruc.
tons.
Would Like Cortelyou.
Secretary CorteIyou had some
friends who believed he would best
typify the struggle which Is to be
be made to get the Republican party
bacls TO the days of 1896. the period
of prosperity that began with the
Mckinley administration. Others
were inclined 10 be for Speaker Cam
non. because he to great degree rep
resents the stand pat" policy. Still
others thought business men should
not commit themselves as long as
Senator Foraker was In the field and
that It would he wise to await the
result OF the primaries in Ohio.
II Is understood there was n failure
to agree on any one candidate and
that there will have to be test OF
strength and popularity during the
next two or three months before any
thing like 'line-up" of the business
interests can be obtained.
| 1t Is stated that prominent members
OF the American Protective Tariff
League have become convinced that
the attitude of Governor Hughes on
the tariff will be satisfactory. If 1t Is.
1t will have to be somewhat different
from that of Secretary Taft. who IA
In favor of revision of the tariff.
beginning with the next administra-
ton. and somewhat similar to that OF
Speaker Cannon and Senator Foraker.
who believe business interests Will
isuffer from any changes In the tariff
Mt this time and that the expansion
jof industries has been due to the
Dingley schedules.
Mr.. Tafts Outlook.
The return OF Secretary Taft from
his trip around the world on We'd
nesday will Immediately attract at
tention to him and to the situation ne
VIII find as to the support of States.
he VIII find that the "fleld" Is still
combined against, him. tnt only for
the purpose of killing him off. There
Is nos other combatants among the
other candidates. Each man expects
to get the nomination.
Mr.. Taft will also discover that
Governor Cummins. of Iowa. who was
roosevelt man. is very likely to in
wade what was regarded as Taft ter
ritory' and try to get the Iowa dele
gates for himself.
Ihis VIII mean that the "neld" will
be able to keep away from Secretary
Tart 2S2 votes. represented by Mr..
Knox OF Pennsylvania. CO delegates:
governor Hughes. of New York. rs:
speaker Cannon. of Illinois, 50; Vice
president Fairbanks. of Indiana. 30:
GOV Cnmmins. OF Iowa. 90. and Sem
ator La Toilette. of Wisconsin, 26.
In this calculation 1t is assumed
| .nat each OF the "favorite sons" Will
ne able TO obtain solid delegation.
me same assumption Is made as to
Mr; Taft In Ohio in very favorable
estimate that has been made OF his
strength. He already has Alaska, and
IN the Taft calculation 1t Is assumed
ne VIII also carry Colorado. Idaho
Montana, Connecticut. Ohio. Michi.
gan Minnesota. Nebraska, Missouri
Kansas, North Dakota South Dakota
wyoming. California. Washington and
oregon. This Is total of 2G4 votes
IL is seriously questioned whether tho
secretary of War can get anyfhine
IKE the entire delegation of Ohio
wiener he can get instructed dele.
gates from Connecticut and whether
ne can have solid delegation from
the Pacific coast. But for Tho nurnosa
votes. '-eso Nof
49, Need More Delegates.
fhere are TO tie $50 delegates IN
tne next National Convention mo
winning candidate must haye So1
winch is bare majority. secretorv
aalt TO win must have 2e7 more, 10
Inuat get them either from the cav
9rite sons or from New England. New
Jersey Delaware. Maryland or The
! II Messrs. Taft and Roosavo,t 49,,