The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-16
REPUBLICANS
 ARE DIVIDED Party Nominee is in
 Much Doubt. "sTAND-PAI" CROWD PUZZLED Were Astonished at Roosevelfs
 Ultimatum. Chicago Convection is Now Center of Interest--southern Republicans Are for Taft-some stin for Roosevelt.
BY ALFRED ;. STOPPER.


 Now that the dates for the two big national conventions have been fixed the politicians of both parties are busy specuiating as to what is going to happen. Naturally there Is more talk about the contest that will be waged in the Chicago Convention In June for the reason that the Republicans not only have several avowed candidates, but the wires are being pulled in the interest of a dark horse in the event Secretary Taft. backed by the influence 0f. the Roosevelt administration, does not soon prove to be far in the lead.
 Enough has been heard here this week to make it certain that 1t is the field against Taft, as they would say in race track circles. It Is also known beyond any doubt that the high tariff Republicans are almost to a man op- posed to Secretary Taft. They will oppose him because he has declared that he Is in favor of a revision of the pingiey rates after the next general election.
 Within few days some of the most active and wealthiest of the manu- lecturers and bankers identified with the American Protective Tariff League have been in Washington. They were on hand when President Roosevelt sud- denly sprung upon the public his last declaration that under no circum- stances would he accept another nom- nation. This was veritable bomb- shell from the White House. They could hardly believe their own ears when they heard the news
 A noted dinner was going on in the leading hotel of the city and a num- Der of distinguished Republicans were at the tables. The bulletin was sent in and read. At first these Republi- cans thought 1t was a joke some one was trying to play just because the strangers were in town and probably were not used to Washington ways. But in few minutes 1t was shown that it was an Associated Press hulls- tin. '.
 s.stand patss Embarrnssea.
 Since the Roosevelt declaration the New Workers who belong to the stand pat" wing of the Republican party. seem to be as much embarrassed as they were before. They have not ex- actly made up their minds who will be the best man to favor. And < from what they say they are not willing to take up Governor Hughes. This is due to the fact that they are un- certain as to how he stands in other sections of the country. Nor do they know whether or not he would, If nom- mated and elected President, use his Influence to prevent a general revision of the tariR.
 Of the candidates the "stand-pats" crowd are believed to favor Speaker Cannon. but from remarks they have let drop 1t is quite evident that they think his age Is handicap. that he has not a strong backing In the West, and that New York and the New Eng land States show no enthusiasm for him.
 It Is noteworthy that few. if any, of the men prominently identified with the Protective Tariff League take any stock in the story that Secretary Cor telyou will be brought forward at an opportune moment. They do not con- slider that he is made of presidential timber, and they have no idea that his name will be seriously mentioned in the Chicago Convention.
 Taft is Leading.
 From the best information obtain able the outlook appears that Secre- tary Taft Is the leading candidate just now. This conclusion forces itself up- on the minds of most people because they think that President Roosevelt wants him nominated, and that he was agreed upon as the administration can didatc because he could be relied up- on to carry out strictly the Roosevelt policies. The Federal office holders are expected to be for him all over tho land, and 1t is reasonably certain that they will exert all tho influence possi- ble in his behalf. Already word comes from many of the Southern States that the district attorneys. marshals. col lectors and postmasters are lining up for Taft. Their talk about the people being so wild for the nomination of Roosevelt has died out since the Pres ident has been heard from. No longer are they shouting that the President will be forced to run against his wishes, and that he is the only man certain to defeat Bryan in the event the latter is made the Democratic can didate again.
 To Force Roosevelt.
 A considerable per centage of the Republicans in Congress continue to assert that no attention will be paid by the rank and file of their party to the Presidents latest statement. They insist that he will be offered the nomi- nation with a whoop. that no other man will be seriously considered until that is done. and they hope and believe that under such a contingency he would be forced to accept. It is proper to say. however, that the great majority of the Republicans to be met in Wash inRton, whether they are in or out of Congress, have settled down to the be- lief that President Roosevelt will not listen to any such proposition, even though the convention were to nomi- nate him by exclamation. They take if that he has eliminated himself. and that now the real contest will com mence between the avowed and recep-