The Washington herald., 1907-03-27

Answering defiance with defiance. Sena-
tor Foraker. always in the open, gave
out a ringing Presidential declaration. He
challenges Secretary Taft to a test before
the Ohio voters. BY inference. at least
the Senator enters the list as a White
House aspirant.
His statement. handed TO the press last
evening. thrilled the Washington politi-
clans. II is practically the first gun il
the great campaign. Hitherto all candi-
dates have been working under cover. II
means terrific struggle between the
Taft and Foraker factions for Ohio's
forty-six delegates. and cannot be with
out great significance.
The Senator viii ask for primary. II
Secretary Taft accepts his terms. the
two viii make the State their battle
ground months in advance of the choice
OF delegates. II was said here last night
that the request viii be put before the
State Central Committee at a meeting
TO be held within a month. The Sena-
tors friends viii ask that the vote be
taken early in the spring of 1905.
NAa~tN fAANAa% - = me-
10 mention of Secretary Taft is made
by name in the Senator's statement,
which is in the following language:
Il have been so busily occupied that
/ have had neither time nor disposi-
tiOn 10 even think about politics, either
State or national especially politics
that belong TO next year
1T seems TO me premature TO be now
discussing what is so far ahead How
ever, ia view of the interviews and an
nOuncemeuts of one kind and another
that are appearing in the newspapers,
feel that ] may with propriety say
that I do not want any political hon
ors from the Republicans of Ohio with
out their hearty approval.
In order that there may be no doubt
as 10 their preferences, ] shall, Al the
proper time, request the Republican
State central committee 10 issue "a call
for a Republican State convention, 20
be composed of delegates elected by
the Republicans OF the State al duly
authorized primary elections. for the
purpose not only of nominating candi-
dates for State Offices 70 be voted for
az our next State election but also 10
determine the preference OF the Repub-
lieans of Ohio as to candidates foT
United States Senator and for Presi-
dent
IF this suggestion should meet with
favor, il should be provided that the
primary elections shall be held at a
convenient time long enough after the
call therefor has been issued TO en-
able all who are interested in the work
Of the convention so 10 be chosen 10
appear before the people and discuss
the public questions about which We
Ill
who are interested may act intelligent
ly in the selection OF their delegates.
thus bringing this selection as nearly
10 direct popular vote as is possible
under the laws now in force.
i have no opinions to conceal from
my constituents, and there is no point
in my public record as TO which I am
not ready to render them fun ac-
count"
Outcome of Old Fight.
This challenge is the outcome of the re-
cent Taft activities in Ohio, and of a
bitter strife that has been in progress
between the President and the Senator.
Mr.. FOraker's friends say that matters
have now gone to the point where there
can be no compromise.
Until few weeks ago Senator Foraker
could, il is said, have been persuaded
eventually to step aside in Secretary
Taft's favor. Both the President and the
Secretary were madei aware of this.
Neither of them would accept any terms
OF compromise. The President appar-
emily wanted to crush Senator Foraker
politically He was determined 10 rebuke
him for his course in the Brownsville
matter. Some mutual friends tried to in
tervene. Men who have not got along
altogether too we'll with the President
but thought Taft the best qualified man
for the Presidency, tried to intercede
Their efforts We're to no purpose.
Taft Forces Organizing.
In the meantime the Taft forces have
been organizing for vigorous campaign
IN Ohio. The recent visit here of ex-
Representative Charles p Taft, the Sec
retary's half-brother. was to further that
organization. He returned only a few
days ago. and his arrival in Cincinnati
was followed by the engag cement of In
surance Commissioner Vorys to conduct
an extensive canvass in behalf of the
SecTetary's nomination. Charles Taft also
announced in his newspaper, the Times
star that the overwhelming sentiment of
the State for his brother would be given
concrete form as far as friends could
make that possible by their efforts.
Senator Foraker's reply 10 these activi-
ties is characteristic of him. More than
once during his long public career in Ohio
he has gone boldly before the people and
surprised the politicians by winning
against what seemed TO be overwhelming
odds.
he is one Of the most capable stumpers
in the United States. and in that regard
viii have Secretary Taft at a disadvan-
tage. The Secretary has never engaged
in the rough and tumble Of politics and
has little taste for the kind of campaign
he would have 10 make against such
doughty opponent.
Supported by Dick.
Furthermore, Senator Foraker will have
the support OF his colleague and ally.
Senator Dick. the head of the Ohio ma
chine. This counts for much more than
might be supposed in these DAYS when
political machines are SO unpopular. Sen
ator Dick has an organization by local
committees that comprise in their per
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