The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-19
BOOM FOR TAFT.
President Roosevelt Takes Up
His FaVOrite in Earnest.
Thinks Secretary of War the
Man to Beat Bryan.
CAN SWING NEW YORK.
lie Believes and Expects Help
From the West.
Regards Cannon as Too Much of
a Standpatter.
This Is the Story Telegraphed
to Chicago Paper.
Regards Cannon as Too Much o
Standpatter.
A POSITIVE DENIAL.
Chief Executive Says No Politics
Was Talked at Conference.

Chicago, March ia Washington
special to the Tribune says:
Since Governor Deneens conference
with President Roosevelt, Secretary
Taft, AMI Henry Taft. the latter s
brocher and campaign manager,
Washington has been seething with
presidential politics.
Friends of Speaker Cannon and Vice
President Fairbanks, some, perhaps, i'll
spired. are denouncirg the president for
what they term his unheard of inter-
ference and predict it will lead to a
combination OF these men, which Will
insure the defeat of Taft, whatever else
ct THIS possibility, but insists he has
done nothing which warrants an ex-
pla nation. and in any event will not
depart from his intention to further as
far as he properly can the political
destinies of his secretary of war.
He reiterated his belief in the sound
ness of Secretary Taft's candidacy. He
is for Taft not only because of the sec
retary's record, not only because of lis
belief that he will carry out the poll
Cies he has initiated. but because he
believes he is the man to beat Bryan.
Whatever may be said of the presl-
dents talk with Governor Deneen, this
much is absolutely certain. When he
introduced the secretary to the COVER
nor he spoke of the formers clean and
earnest support of policies he had put
into practice and which the governor
stated had received the approval of the
people OF Illinois and the middle west.
This was a straight Endorsement of the
secretary. which undoubtedly sank in-o
the mind OF the governor, as perhaps
the PRESIDENT intended ii to do.
1t is known positively the president
did not ask the governor to aid Mr.
Tafts- candidacy. so that the latter
was not placed in the awkward posi-
ton of having to state his willingness
or unwillingness to back the secretary.
The president understands Mr.. De-
mems situation as well as the gov
ernor himself He knows he will be
a candidate to succeed himself as gov
ernor of Illinois. He knows, more
over. if Speaker Cannon were hostile
he could precipitate a fight that would
make Illinois a political cockpit. So,
appreciating tfis situation. he natural
" was extremely chary about urging
him to commit himself one way or an
other.
The president believes he can swing
New York for Taft. Reports have
reached him that Kansas is divided
between I.aFollette and Fairbanks.
The presidents influence. however
tor Rurkett of Nebraska knows the
presidents views. having conferred
with him some time ago. There are
other states in which a Taft machine
Is to be constructed. and the frame
work is now being erected. Energeti-
cally as Fairbanks has been working
ip the south. the administration seems
we'll satisfied with the grip it has on
machines in most of the southern
states.
But by virtue of the fact that Gov
Deneen is the first chief executive to be
called to Washington and placed in
touch with Secretary Taft, Illinois be-
comes the center of the politi-
cal whirlpool. 1t has been no
secret in close political circles
that the president does not favor Speak
ed Cannon's candidacy. The speaker
IS regarded by the administration as
reactionary and one not calculated to
carry out the forward policies of the
president. He is an out and out stand
patter and the president believes the
growth of sentiment for revision of the
tariff is such that no candidate can be
elected who does not pledge himself to
insist upon it.
He has worked with the speaker to
secure needed legislation during the last
congress- but the presidents friends
feel that Mr. Cannon has been forced
by public sentiment to do what he did
and that he has acted reluctantly and
would have held back had he dared On
the other hand. supporter of Mr. Can
non charged today that the presidents
congressional successes We're due in
large measure to the attitude of the
eDpaker