The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-16
SURPRISES
 AWAIT TAFT Politics Muddled Since b His Departure. SOUTHERN VOTE IN DOUBT Governor Hughes Will Be New
 York's Candidate. The souther. Delegate. Like The War Secretary But May Swing over
 to CorteIyou at Last
SOUTHERN VOTE IN DOUBT
BY ALFRED J. sTOFER.

Washington. Dec. 15--When Secrs- tary Taft is fairly settled down to work again in this city. he will learn few things that will open his eyes as to what has been going on within the Republican party during his absence in the Orient.
 Efforts have been made, according to the talk here, to juggle the deis- gations from the South to the next National Convention of the Republican party. It will be recalled that at tho time the big. jolly Secfetary of War started for the Philippines. those who undertook to inform him of the situa- tion. made 1t appear that as 1t was generally understood he was the ad- ministration candidate for the Presf- dency. most of the Southern delegates would be for him in the event there was not 6 stampede for Roosevelt for another term in the White House.
 Assistant Postmaster-G General Hitch cock made a great many trips to the South. Ostensibly 1t was on official business. but it is pretty we'll under stood that in his travels he took oc- casion to sound the faithful as to how they stood on the Presidential ques- ton. And 1t wasn't long before the news leaked out that the Southern He- publicans thought mighty we'll of Taft, but really there was such a strong sentiment in Dixie-land for Roosevelt that 1t would be impossible to resist the demand that he be forced to take another nomination. regardless of the positive statement made by him on the night of the last national election that under no circumstances would he again he in the race.
 Tactics Were Changed.
 The plans were pretty we'll laid to call early conventions and instruct. i. them for Roosevelt. The Tennessee crowd were the first to make arrange nents for choosing a Roosevelt dele gation. But the President nipped that movement In the bud. and by the time the National Committee met in Wash ineton to fix the time and place for the holding of the National Conven- ton. the Tennesseeans found that they would have to change their tactics completely Subsequently the Presf- dent was compelled to instruct the members of his cabinet to warn the Federal office e-holders that they must not go around whooping 1t up for Roosevelt and the third term. From very reliable information pick ed up here this week, there seems to be no doubt that some manipuiatioR has been going on with view of swinging most of the Southern defega- tions to Secretary Corteiyou. Within ten days there have been in Washing ton more than a score of the leading Ohio Republicans. A majority insist that in the proposed primaries in their State, 1t is questionable whether Secre. tary Taft can defeat Senator Forsker.
 The negro vote is heavy in the State The blacks are said to be almost solid- " in favor of Senator Foraker. Secre- tary Taft, backed by the administra- ton. may be able to carry ohio, but 1t Is thought the contest win be too to brag on. The very fact that there Is such a contest going on in Ohio. tends to weaken Taft in other sections of the country.
 situation Ia Muddled.
 The average Republican appears to have made up his mind that with President Roosevelt not in the race. if will be a different matter to tell how the thing is going to come out Cor telyou's name. it Is believed general- ly, Is going to be sprung in the con- vention at the opportune time. Just now the indications are that Governor Hughes will be New York's candidate. Fairbanks. Cannon. La Toilette and Knox will have the backing of their respective states in the early stages of the convention.
 But those WnO are tl&lnR up tue ptnB to play the Southern delegates think Southern fellows will be disposed to flop over to Cortelyou if the plans alleged to have been made by Hitch- cock are carried out and the "induce- ments" are tempting enough.
 The air Is full of talk to the effect that combinations are being formed to dump Secretary Taft. The calcula- ton Is that Roosevelt having pulled out and the contest becoming warmer and warmer between Cannon, Fair banks and Taft. that the Pennsylvania deIega tion will drop Knox. who has little or no following outside of his own state. and that the name Of Cor teIyou will be sprung in accordance with the understanding among defe- gates in all parts of the country, and In the South. The dele- gates from the latter section it is figured can be switched at the proper or when 1t becomes apparent that Taft cannot get get the nomina- ton.
 Situation In Alabama.
 The situation in Alabama is per- pIexing to most people who are mak- ing forecasts Referee Joe Thompson while here recently was all at sea as to where he stood. National Commits teeman Scott on finding out that tha Roosevelt third term was flattening out quickly championed Taft. People are claiming that Scott is referee now only by courtesy. They charge that he has been relegated to the rear a md that Thompson Is the whole busi- ness so far as parceling out til places i'm Alabama is concerned.
 Scott's friends indignantly deny the report. Truman Aldrich, of Birmtng- ham. is said to be pronounced for Taft while his brother eXsCongressnnan Aldrjch Is put down as a stauch advo- cate of Fairbanks.
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