The Washington herald., 1907-05-12
ADMINISTRATION ALERT.
Pleased over OdeIrs Rebuff, but
Alive to Political Dangers.

Pleased over OdelI's Rebuff, but
Alive to Political Dangers.
Apart from the Ohio situation. still so
tense as to menace Taft's candidacy, the
administration has other Affairs political
on its hands.
POlitics-big politlcs-was popping around
the White House yesterday. Weighty
conferences were held between President
Roosevelt ana the members Of mis- Cabi-
net and other advisers. While protesting
10 believe that the nomination OF Taft
for President is already a foregone con-
Clusi0n the administration does not in
tend to take any chances, and VIII use
every means within its power to strength
en- the hold OF Mr.. Taft upon the party.
Keen satisfaction is felt by the President
and his advisers, Or, as they might be
more aptiy termed his conferees, over
what happened al the meeting Of the
New York Republican State committee.
The rebuff given to ex-Gov. Odell, who
presented resolution indorsing Gov
Hughes for the Presidency, was hailed
with delight. The President and Mr.. Cor
1elyOu feel particularly good over the out
come Of Mr.. Odelps little essay in national
politics in opposing the OdeH resou-
ton. Chairman Woodruff said:
7 move that this resolution be tabled
{ siA sANlAiAA Va NliE GNAlNAAA+A1A WIZ 4iA+AR~
dueed lt, by reason Of his well-known
ianupalhy 20 the President OF the United
States"
Whether Nr. Oden was acting in
friendly CT an unfriendly way 10 Gov.
Hughes. the Roosevelt adherents in
! Washington are not concerned. In their
view the rejection Of the resolution must
be construed as an Odell rundown,
I which is something 10 contemplate with
smiling features. A fortnight ago the
administration felt more friendly toward
Hughes than II does to-day. The COVER
nOTs refusal 10 recognize the Roosevelt
/ administration efforts 10 back him up
through the use of Feoeral power Of re-
moval and appointment IN New York
State left sting too potent to be for
gotten, Now there Is 10 be no further
/ CompunCti0ns about getting to work in
( New York State to foster the Taft boom.
/ Taft has influential friends there who will
/ 60 their utmost 10 have the State dele
cation instructed TO vote for the Secre-
I tary Of War in the national convention
/ Representative Herbert Parsons, who Is
president OF the New York Republican
J County committee, will take charge of
/ the administrations politics in the State
/ Despite the rebuff given to Odell the
administration st-I realizes that It may
have 10 deal with Hughes as q Presiders-
/ tial quantity. Since the President cham
ploned the Taft candidacy there has been
I d concerted effort East and West 10
+ combine against his candidate the
/ strength Of the Fairbanks forces and that
OF all "fav0Fite" sons; 10 create deter
mined opposition in those States strong
/ ~ pr0-BoOsevelL but which would demand
g show for their second preference. There
I has been a disquieting report that the
so-calied ''reactiOnary" forces, particu-
larly in the East have selected Hughes
as the most available candidate TO pit
/ against The President in the fight he is
now making for a f0ur-year perpetuation
of his present policies.
i is no secret that President Roosevelt
is much more peTplexed over the situa-
tion in New York state than he is over
that IN Ohio. Wall street and the vast
financial and railroad interests do not
want four years more Of the Roosevelt
policies. New York also has many bitter
political enemies of the President He
does not fear them, but he does realize
that in the great struggle for the next
Presidency these adverse interests can do
him great harm not only in New York
but ia New England, New Jersey, and
/ Pennsylvania.
In the hope of getting the Presidential
situation well in hand, members of the
Cabinet are 10 begin active work IN the
States-directly and indirectly. The poll
cies and the personality Of Mr. Roose-
welt viii be made an issue within the
Republican party in States which arr
partial to Fairbanks, Cannon. OF ans
other Presidential possibility except Taft
The Presidents eHissaries may not
openly advocate the selection of Taft del,
egates TO the national convention, but 4
is the opinion in administration circles
that delegates pledged 10 stand by Presi-
dent Roosevelt viii naturally pass TO the
Taft column when they know that the
President VIII not in any circumstances
be a candidate to succeed himself
One step was taken yesterday in the ap-
lpoinment of Lieut. Gov Sherman, of I'LL
nOis, to the Spanish Treaty Claims Com
mission Mr. Sherman is an astute poll
ucian, with a clean record, and is particu-
Harry strong in his state. where the Can
non boom is growing.
Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou
who learned a great deal about politics
when he was chairman of the Republican
National Committee. viii make an inspec-
tion trip Of custonl-houses and interna
Irevenue collection offices in the West, and
he is not likely to let the opportunity pass
TO put in a few good words for the Roose-
welt administration.