Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-05-30
PRESIDENTIAL STRAWS.

Il IS becoming evident that while Presl-
dent Roosevelt might like to see Secretary
Taft made his political heir apparent. he
does not intend to be put in a position
where the failure of his secretary of war
TO secure the republican nomination for
the presidency can be hailed as a defeat
for the Roosevelt policies. In other words
he proposes to have more than one string
to his presidential how
Evidence OF this disposition on the part
ner in which the delegations representing
various candidates. have been received at
the White House during the past few
days. Word comes from Washington that
Knox supporters are in fine spirits be-
cause of the word that has come down
the line from the White House that tho
President would he highly pleased if his
former attorney general were nominated
for President. \ Pennsylvania delegation
headed by Representative Barchfeld, who
has seen the President, has given it out
that the President commended Mr.. Knox
and said his nomination would be highly
acceptable 10 him, Consequently the
Pennsylvanians will 80 TO Harrisburg
June 6 and couple a hearty Endorsement Of
the Roosevelt policies Senator Knox is
not hanging back, but has plunged into
the game and Will do what he can to get
the nomination, if advices from the ma
tional capital are correct With the
solid Pennsylvania delegation back of
him ne would enter the convention as j
formidable candidate.
on general principles Taft would proba.
bly, make stronger candidate than Sena-
tor Knox, for he is better known and he
mas also had a far wider experience in
national affairs. a cloud has risen above
the horizon Of the secretary of war, how
ever, in the shape of an objection to his
candidacy by Wilbur +. Wakeman, sec
rotary of the American Protective Tariff
League. This gentleman has published d,
interview in Chicago in the course OF
which he pays a high tribute to the serv-
ices of Secretary Taft as governor of tn,
Philippines and as a judge. lie insist.
however, Mr.. Taft will not do as tn,
standard bearer of the Republican party
at the next election. His policy both II
the Philippines ana at the lsthmus .
Panama, was for free trade aud not TO
protection Of the American Industries
which has always been the foremos
sank in the platform Of the Rcpublica,
party, That Is why Mr., Taft Will no
bear the standard Of the Republican
party next year"
Now it is barely possible that the atti
tude of Secretary Taft on this very ques
ton of the tariff will make him more avail
able as a presidential candidate. Presi
dent Roosevelt himself is known not TO b.
averse to a revision of the tariff, and it /
not TO be overlooked that consderabl
number of republicans would like to Sc
some of the tariff schedules revised, al
though Speaker Cannon well shows tina
the next Congress was elected on STAN
pat platform. The fact that a republica
favOrs revision of some of the D!ngle
schedules docs not therefore necessarh
bar him from holding high office with
the gift Of the party and this statemeu
applies TO the presidency as well as .
subordinate offices.
In the meantime number OF the mem
bers Of the New York Legislature hav
come out in open interviews in supper
of Governor Hughes for the republica
presidential nomination. and they sho,
that he would be as sound on the issue
which have become paramount with re
pubicans as would President Roosevelt
himself. 1t is recognized that a stron
point with the Hughes men Is that he Wa
elected by a substantial majority In Ne
York, while other candidates on the re
publican ticket were defeated. The ogica
conclusion is that Hughes would stand
good show of carrying the Empire Stat
where other might fail,
1t is to be borne In mind that there /