Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-28
sENATORSHIP MUST
SOON BE DECIDED
RoosEvELT's FRIENDS BELIEVE
THAT If HUGHES GETS NEW
YORK DELEGATION HE WILL BE
IN LINE FOR PLATT's SEAT.
Washington Bureau Of
The OttumMa Courier

Washington, D. O.. Dec. 27.
President Roosevelt is likely to step
into the senate of the United States
as a member of that body from New
York state on the same day he con-
cludes his term as chief executive. il
the President Is able to witness the
Inauguration Of William H. Taft as
president Of the United States March
4, 1909, and on the same date begin
his service as senator, there Is not
much doubt he will be completely sat
isfied with the fortunes Of politics.
In the contest that is now sizzling
in New York state over the question
whether Governor Hughes Is to have
the delegation or the Taft forces are
to have a large share Of 1t. the fact
has been generally lost sight of that
a great deal more is involved than
the nomination of the republican can
didate for president. 1t Is we'll known
that President Roosevelt is not only
taking a great interest in the New,
York situation but that he is even
going SO far as to direct the campaign,
through his private secretary, M.
Loeb himself New York politician
+ of experience. In many quarters the
fact that President Roosevelt should
be opposing Governor Hughes Is deem
ed inexplicable, but 1t isNnot so when
1t is understood that President Roose.
welt has ambitionsF to be the next
senator from New York to succeed
Senator Platt and that he would re-
gard the ascendency of Governor
Hughes in that state as distinctly cal
culated to hinder his own ambitions.
80
In the last few days, political gossip
about Washington has given renewed
attention to the fact chat the time is
near when the New York senatorship
must be disposed Of and that the
campaign which Is on there at this
time will in all probability determine
the succession to Mr.. Platt. If the
President and his friends can, prevent
Governor Hughes getting the New
York delegation or any large part Of
it and can prevent his nomination as
the republican candidate for president,
then there will be little left in Mr..
Roosevelt's way. to 60 to the senate.
On the other hand If the Hughes
forces should show such strength as
to block the White House plans and
give Hughes the delegation, the con-
ditions would be materially altered.
Governor Hughes is strong with the
people of New York but he has not
built UP compact political organiza-
ton. His opponents believe that f
he steps out Of public office be will
have nothing In the shape OF organ
lied strength and that he will cease
to be political factor
The President and Governor Hughes
have nothing in common. Every ef-
fort made to work in harness has
failed utterly The governor has re-
PEELED White House advances. The
White House does not like 1t and
there is no man in the presidential
field whom the President would go so
far to beat as he would Hughes.
There is not room in New York
state for Hughes and the President"
| is the way one politician of promin-
ence put it recently. IF Hughes
were president, Mr.. Roosevelt would
J have to stand aside and take minor
place in New York AFFAIRS
But with Taft in the White House.
Mr.. Roosevelt as senator, would have
field of large influence. He and
| Taft agree in their policies in the
main and 1t would be of great value
to the Taft administration, should
such an administration come, to have
an ally like Roosevelt in the senate,
not only because the Presidents views
and Taft's correspond, but because the
| President has had an experience that
gives him deep insight into the work
| ings Of the senate and of congress.
The Taft leaders are feeling highly
| iubilant over the New York situation
! They believe they have it Surround
ed.' They are. making some astonish-
ing predictions in private as to the
hughes strength, which they say will
be slight when 1t comes to getting
delegates. Indications are the whole
machinery of the republican organi-
zation will desert hughes and do
what the President wants. In other
| words do its utmost to get Taft dele,
| gates.
The Presidents friends are talking
Of trying to secure a primary vote on
the senatorship in New York. They
are confident an expression Of popular
will would be one-sided for the
President. ]. G. Welliyer.