Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-13

The plans for Harmony in Ohio repub
lican politics have been upset, and from nov
until the meeting of the republican state
convention a year hence, it is to be war tc
the knife between the factions. The thar
mony' which was proposed was found tc
contemplate the elimination Of Senator For.
aker from political life. With him destroyed
everything was to be lovely and peaceful
George B. Cox, the notorious Cincinnati
boss, who was endorsed by Secretary Taft
In 1904, was to be in the saddle again
and riding cheek by jowl with the best OF
them. Burton, Longworth and Taft were to
be in charge and Foraker. Dick and their
friends relegated to obscurity.
Senator Foraker has declined to be a
party to this particular kline of harmony.
He loves to see brethren dwelling in peace,
but he objects to being put out on the front
porch to sleep on the door mat. He has
had one of the first-floor front rooms in the
Ohio edifice for some time, and he Is not
yet accepting any writs of ejectment. If
they want him out they will have to put
him out. That is about the long and the
short of the statement which was issued by
Senator Foraker last night announcing his
position in Ohio politics.
Review Of the Facts.
Review of the incidents which led up to
the issuance of the statement will elucidate
its significance. Early last week Mr. George
B. Cox of Cincinnati, the former republican
boss of that town. who had been once de-
stroyed by Secretary Taft, but who was
seeking rehabilitation for his faction and
control of the city patronage, issued q
statement urging that in the interest OF
harmony Endorsement should be given Sec
rotary Taft for the presidency. Senator For
aker for reelection to the Senate. and Gov.
Harris for reelection. Senator Foraker, in
order to promote harmony, acquiesced In
the suggestion. with the reservation that 1t
should meet with the approval Of the repub-
lican voters. 49,.
Within day or two word went out from
administration sources that this suggested
compromise was distasteful to the national
administration because 1t included a lease
of life for Foraker. That the administra-
ton would not countenance. Senator For
aker did not agree with the administration
and he must be utterly crushed. The pro-
posed conference would be asked to jndorse
Taft alone and say nothing about Foraker.
Senator Foraker Aas met the objection
with characteristic boldness and prompt
ness. He announces that he does not want
his friends to take part in the proposed
conference, with Its intended lop-sided in
dorsement; that he will not be bound by
the recommendation of the conference, but
will appeal his case to the voters, who in
the last analysis alone have the right to de-
eide. and that he will go before the people
suffrage.
This means. of course, that there is to be
ugly internecine strife in Ohio for the next
twelve months, which is likely to extend
state and national. Ohio politicians here
say that it is to be regretted; that the re-
pubicans of Ohio do not want to fight
among themselves at this time, and resent
being forced into it by President Roosevelt
1t is well understood among them, it is
said. that this whole situation arises from
the determination Of the President to take
revenge upon Foraker and crush him, but
the rank and file will have to suffer in the
fray.
Senator Foraker's Statement.
The statement given out by Senator For
aker last night, which was in reply to the
statement given out in Cleveland, and which
appeared in Saturdays STAR was as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Burton's statement is likely to create
false impression. So far as 1 am con-
cerned, no effort whatever has been made
to make deal, bargain, or compro-
mise with anybody about anything. The
statement put out by Mr.. Cox was his own,
and he made 1t on his own motion, and GER
tainly not in my interest nor with my APP
prevail. At the same time, l thought he
was striving for party harmony, and that
his purpose was laudable one, and / was
willing to accept results If the convention
should act favorably upon his recommends
tons, not because l was included in ~his
plan of compromise but because Twas will
ing to conform to anything reasonable that
party good might seem to redAre.
Il think 1t the first duty of any man who
believes in republican principles and as
pires to represent them to contribute all
he can to party union, strength and victory.
In saying what j did in response to Mr..
Coxs recommendations / went far, how
ever, as / can go consistently with self-re-
spect. 1t would have been very gratifying
to me if all strife and contention could have
been avoided not on my account, but for
party good. But inasmuch as that seems
impossible, judging by what I learn from
the newspapers and otherwise as to the
attitude of the friends of Secretary Taft
/ think 1t due to my friends and to the
whole body of republican voters in the
state to announce that all questions Of in
dorsement and nomination should. in my
opinion. be deferred until the next state
convention can act upon them. That is