The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-08-16
A Political Dream.
BY Fl. A. GILMARTIN

by n. A. dILMARTIN
From the Detroit Free Press:
Michigan will be the arena of a still
battle for the control of the delegation
to the next Republican national conven
ton, and the tactics to be employed
here will be used in a number of othe
states.
The impression that Roosevelt viii
be the candidate for a third term Ii
being used as cloak to cover up the
skirmishing that already has started
Congressman Joe Fordney, of Saginaw.
has let the cat out of the bag by having
his congressional committee call con-
vention for October 10th to elect dis
| trict delegates to the national conven-
ton, which will not be held until next
July or August
This shows that some candidate is
getting busy early in the game, and in
this connection it may be noted that
Fordney is not a Taft adherent. Who
he is for does not appear on the surface,
but the quiet moves that are being
made show conclusively that there will
be finish fight to prevent Taft from
securing the Michigan delegation.
The eighth district delegation is not
to be instructed by the convention in
October, but this is a mere detail, as
Fordney will be in command of his
forces, and he can be depended upon
to pick out such delegates as will see
things as he does.
1t is clever move to hold the con-
vention early and avoid the complica-
lions that might arise when several
candidates are prominently in the field.
Ii things go right several other district
conventions will be quietly called, and
unless the Taft men get alive to what
is going on they will suddenly find the
ground cut from under them, and they
will wonder how it all happened.
Senator William Alden Smith is about |
as smooth as they make them when it |
comes to hopping on to the winning |
band wagon. 1t is to be noticed that |
he is swinging the Roosevelt banner
overtime in lodging the issue as to
whether he would favor Taft in the
'vent that Roosevelt positively refuses
20 again be candidate.
Up to date the senator ventures the
opinion that If Roosevelt should desire
! third term he would have the hearty
support of the Michigan delegation.
Every politician in the state says the
anne thing for public consumption, but
It the same time they are all figuring
% hitch up to the band wagon of some
'ther delegate. Their trouble lies in
rying to pick out the winner.
The fact that Taft would occupy the
ole of Roosevelt's hired man is being
Used as an argument against him, and
With no little effect, as there seems to
% popular distaste against a man
his successor. In some
quarters it is limited that Taft would
prefer to see President Roosevelt run
or third term than to take up hard
ight, as he would be sure of becoming
thief Justice of the United States SUI
IRENE court in the event that the Pres
dent should retain possession of the
White House for five years more.
Congressman Fordney was one of the
riginal Cannon boomers, and two
ears ago he tried to hypothecate the
dichigan delegation to him. but the
ight between Governor Warner and
he old state machine threw everything
nto tumble. The result is that the
residential candidate who does bust.
ess with one faction must look for
pposition from the other. This is
that makes Michigan debatable terri 4
ory. i
1t has been assumed for some time
nat the governor would support Taft !
! the event that the President declined :