The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-20
TAFT-FORAKER STEW PIE FOR DEMOCRATS See Prospect of Success in the
 Ohio Situation BRYAN'S CHANGES BLOOM Bursting of Dick Peace Bubble Gloomy For Republican Harmony-8oss
 cox's Voice Sounds from
 the Tomb.
BRYAN'S CHANGES BLOOM
BY j. B. HoNApAY.


 democrats are Just now engaged in the gleeful occupation of "siclxin em on' as the Taft-Foraker factions seek to chew one anothers' ears off. They see in the fight lively prospect of democratic suc- cess in the next election, and they are not alone in entertaining this view of the sit uation. Indeed, many leading republicans are apprehenslve lest the bitterness which is being aroused within the party shall imperil the success of the organization in the state. and they will exert every possible effort to restore harmony. The difficulties in the way, however, have been increased many fold since the burst ing of the Dick peace bubble at Colum- bus.
 Thomas II. McConica, member of the republican state executive committee, voices the popular apprehension of dem oeratic victory In this state when he says; Bryan came within 72 voters of carrying Hancock county in 1902 when the party was solid for Mckinley, and at time when he was the idol of the party 1 think that Bryan will get all of the 1902 votes, but no republican can get the vote that Mckinley received in 1902 the way things are going now. What is true of Hancock county is true of the state.''
 Republican Bitterness. Until the absolute failure of the peace programme outlined by Senator Dick, 1t was the popular impression among repub- lcans that the warning factions in Ohio would get together and be prepared to present a solid front to the democrats when the presidential battle begins, but 1t is now conceded that the prospects of peace are more vague than at any time since the row began. Dicks efforts In this direction only served to complicate matters and to arouse new bitterness.
 When the call for peace was first sound ed by Senator Dick 1t seemed as If the clouds would roll gently away, and that the Ohio sIeiiaton .ould clear forth with The plan was to indorse Taft for President, Foraker for senator and Harris for governor. Then all factions were to go home and whoop things up for coun- try, home and pie. The plan looked good to great many of the faithful, and there was period of great rejoicing throughout the state But the Taft peo- pie, who were taken by surprise, thought that they could discern a deep and dark some pit beneath the green peace offer ings, and they paused to sniff suspicious ly. The Foraker crowd, who had received the peace proposition gracefully, though with no great show of joy, became in- dignant at the snifflng of the Taft folks and prepared at once to resume opera tiens with the hammer and tongs. Taft said that he didn't want his fair name coupled with that of Foraker, and For aker replied in substance that he didn't have any money on the peace horse; that he was backing the war nag to a finish, and that he wouldn't be bound in his con- duct by any conference So tine confer ence was called off by Senator Dick and now Sherman's interpretation of war will fit the Ohio situation for some time to come. It is going to be the hottest fight in the history of the state, and there Is a chance for both sides to lose out. With the fierce opposition of Foraker and Dick it seems practically impossible for Taft to land the entire Ohio delegation, and Foraker stands chance to lose his sen atorial seat by reason of the terrific war that is being made upon him by the President through Taft. All of this is meat and drink to the democrats, and they are preparing to take every advan- tage of the situation.
 One of the most interesting of recent developments has been the resurrection of Boss Cox" the famous Cincinnati polit- ical manipulator, who was laid away none too gently couple of years ago. His political death was the subject of countless touching obituaries. all having a fine moral turn. and the whole nation rejoiced over the reform wave which car ried him into oblivion, even 1t rejoiced over the fine victory of Philadelpha's reform Mayor, who stayed up when Cox went down.
 Cox Speaks from Tomb.
 The other day Cox spoke, and had his voice come from the tomb. it could not have commanded more attention or re- spect. The whole state cooked It's ear to listen. and even the nation leaned over at- tentively. Cox Is for Taft. Foraker and peace. and his programme, in the opinion of many republicans Is the only one which will save the party from possible defeat. It has been demonstrated that Cox Is not only alive, but Is one of the most potential forces in Ohio. It is con fldently believed by his friends that he will again take Cincinnati under his wing this fall but he will find this an inter esting operation if the republicans are still split over the Taft-Foraker matter. This Is why he Is for Taft, Foraker and peace. He has no particular love for either Taft or Foraker The former came into Ohio just before the election in which the Cincinnati republicans met defeat and gave Cox kick that set the whole pack to yelping and which, it is still said, led to the democratic victory and the temporary undoing of the Gin cinnati boss As to Foraker. 1t has long been known that Cox has cherished de- sire to become as leaven in the United States senatorial lump, and the seat of Foraker has looked good to him. His sen atorial aspirations are not regarded se- riously. except by himself. but they serve to explain why he has no affection for Foraker He thinks. however, that he sees power for himself in peace between these men, and he is willing to sacrifice any personal feelings which he may have in order to regain his position as politi- cal dictator.