St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-06-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
A Political Correspondent Sizes up the
Situation.
Editor CALEDoNIAN:

Editor CALIFORNIAN:
1t is rather significant that those Re-
publican politicians who do not boldly
come out in favor of President Roose-
velt's denomination almost invariably
preface the announcement of their choice
by stating that if Mr. Roosevelt were a
candidate of course they would be for
him, but as he is not, then they are for
Fairbanks, Taft, Knox or some one else,
This would seem to indicate that Mr..
Roosevelt is the first choice of all and the
only choice of many. Twelve months
time must elapse before the next conven-
ion but the situation today is that
several states will enter the field with
favorite sons and the contest is an open
one. Mr., Roosevelt!s silence on the third
term question is having peculiar effect,
in that it is at once increasing the crop
of possible candidates and lessening the
chances of EACH especially of the fore
most Those states who have no
favorite sons are exhibiting desire to
reserve Judgment with view of swing
ing into line for Roosevelt if the oppor
tunity presents. Those states with
presidential timber of their own
naturally prefer to put forward their
candidates rather than pledge themselves
to others. If the convention were held
today candidates would probably be
presented as follows: New York, Hughes;
Indiana, Fairbanks; Ohio, Taft; Pennsyl-
vana, Knox, Wisconsin, La Toilette;
Iowa, Cummins, with perhaps few
Others as possible dark horses" The
first few ballots would be of a compli-
mentary nature, and it would be unsafe
to predict the outcome until test had
been made. A candidate from Ohio,
Indiana or Illinois would have the logi-
cal preference, and Messrs. Taft, Fair
banks and Cannon all have claims
worthy of the highest consideration. On
the other hand Governor Hughes is
rapidly forging to the front in public
esteem Knox is unfortunate in hailing
from a rock-ribbed Republican state but
he will have a decided advantage over
most of the others in one respect, as he
is in the hands of men who thoroughly
know politics. The administration can
not feel unkindly toward him, while his
: connections and conservative actions
make him strong with those who want
safe and sane" candidate.
The Taft boom is regarded here as
: weakling. If Mr. Roosevelt should come
t out strongly for Taft his following would
speedily increase but whether to sufficient
size toland the prize is doubtful The pre-
JUDGE against president attempting
q to dictate his successor is likely to prove
/ an offset to the favorable influence he
might exert. AS the presidential legatet
Mr.. Taft would have the field against
him. Conditions in Ohio promise tc
: prevent for some time at least any
c successful effort on the part of his friends
d to capture other delegations. Mean
4 while Mr.. Roosevelt is playing polite:
and is getting Just what he wants
> namely, no announcements at all OF
d declarations for favorite sons. With {
o free field and many candidates he will
probably hold the balance of power ant
= can turn the nomination where h,
. pleases. When the convention meets
will be time enough to decide whether h
I will again be candidate and it is quit
a possible that he will make no furthe
public announcement until then unles
forced to do so by anxious inquiries
, Should convention sentiment demand hi
X denomination he could then accept or b,
k indicating his preference, practically pre-
v sent the nomination to the man of hi
Il selection. BY keeping silent Mr.. Roose
welt maintains things in statu quo
G speech would bring hornets nest abou
III his ears. The summer will prove a