Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-05
MAY UNITE ON KNOX
Conservative Republicans Seek
ing a Candidate.
WILL SUPPORT SENATOR
Organizing to Control the National
Convention.
CONCENTRATION OF EFFORTS
Expected Effect Of the Action to Be
Taken by the Gathering at Har-
risburg, Pa, Tomorrow.
WILL SUPPORT SENATOR
CONCENTRATION OF EFFORTS

The Endorsement of Senator Knox for the
presidency by the Harrisburg convention
tomorrow will mark the beginning Of the
organization of the conservatives In the
republican party to control the republican
national convention. Pennsylvania and
Knox will form the nucleus around which
will gather all the conservative elements
for the present at least. Among politicians
no concealment is made of the fact thar
this will be the result of the action at
Harrisburg.
For some time there has been complaint
among republicans that no steps were be-
ing taken by the conservatives to form an
organization to resist the radical swing Of
the party. There were many available
candidates, but one except Fairbanks
was doing anything. President Roosevelt
had picked his candidate and was conf
IDENTIFY working for his success. Many re-
publicans who would gladly accept Mr.
Taft his own behalf baked at the
method of campaigning used by the Presi-
dent and resented the attempt of the ex-
ecutive to dictate the succession.
Looking for Candidate.
1t was felt by many prominent republic
cans that there must be concentration of
effort If this attempt at dictation was to
be resisted. There must be some one man
around whom to rally those in the party
who were disinclined to supinely allow the
President to name his own successor This
feeling was not directed against Taft, per
Sc. but against the methods of Taft's spon-
sor.
Foraker would not do. because he was
charged with being a reactionary and it
was claimed, could not carry his own state
delegation. Fairbanks boom had sagged
somewhat. and at least was not attracting
enthusiasm. Uncle Joe" was ready to
vouch for Illinois support of himself but
1t was well known he would not be a candi-
date in the final balloting. The conserva-
tives must have man who would be able
to control a big delegation and yet who
would not be open to the charge of being
a reactionary.
Knox was decided upon as the ideal man
for the task. He is man of ability,
integrity. and had his state unanimously
back of him. Moreover. his delegation
would be the second largest in the conven-
ton. He had not opposed the President in
any of his policies. Indeed. as Attorney
General he had successfully conducted the
first great crusade of the President against
trusts the prosecution of the Northern Sc
curitieS case.
But. with all that Senator Knox was not
a radical. The conservatives throughout
the country would have perfect confidence
in him. He had no embarrassing record on
labor decisions. free trade or anything of
the kind. President Roosevelt had to adj
nit that he was in every way acceptable
to the administr: ton and favorable to the
administration policies. Indeed. he was to
be Endorsed by a convention which at the
same time would indorse the Roosevelt
policies.
Knox the Choice.
&c. while Knox stands before the country
as entirely acceptable to the administra-
ton, the word will go around in every
direction that he is also satisfactory to the
Conservatives and that if it is necessary
in any state to have a candidate to stand
for conservatism Knox will answer His