The Washington herald., 1907-07-07
THE TAFT BOOM.
Southern Paper Discusses Chances
OF War Secretary.

'""'a'ih ripper blscusSes Chances
OF War Secretary.
From the Birmingham News
The Washington Herald. which is we'll
nigh as independent in as observanr of
politics, appears to think the Taft boom
IS on the verge Of collapse. Whether or
not this opinion is well grounded there
are indications that IN many parts Of the
country Secretary Tafts name does not
appear to be so conpicuous now as il was
some time ago in connertion with the
nomination Not that Foraker stock has
made any appreciable advance. Senator
Foraker's persistent activity I'm the
Brownsville incident. which he evi5a,tl,.
adopted as a matter Of political expedi.
ency. has not turned out that way. In
fact it appears to have done him more
harm than good in h!s chances for the
nomination.
So another reason for the waning Of the
Taft boom must be looked for. if there
really Is a serious setback. The cause
can hardly be found in his euIogy Of SEN
ator Spooner in Wisconsin. while irnor-
ing La Toilette, who controls the Wis
consn Republicans. Some Of the keenlv
obseryant politicians think this was a slim
Ii may have some effect in Wisconsin.
but it gave evidence Of Secretary Taft-s
frankness and courage, and they are two
things that appeal strongly 20 the Amari-
can people. Secretary Taft may not have
acquired a broad reputation as a willy
politician, but he has made a name for
himself as a man of mature judgment and
rare executive ability. as well as high
character. So much the more reason
why it is hard to believe thar the inteUi-
gent. patriotic citizens in his party should
throw cold water upon his aspirations to
be President.
There is reason 10 believe that the Taft
boom has not gained any considerable
momentum Of late, and there are many
who think the reason for this is con-
siderable development among Republicans
Of a sentiment in favor of a so-caIed
third term for Roosevelt. In this con-
nection a Southern contemporary is moved
to speculate on what President Roosevelt
would do in the event that the Republi-
can convention should unanimously nom
mate him. and adjourn, and says: "The
belief that he would be overpowered and
swept into the race is too strong to be
disregarded. despite the emphasis the
President has put on his refusal Conse-
quently Republicans everywhere are build
ing on that belief, and are incubating the
cyclone. The door is being left open for
President Roosevelt, and if there is no
other way, it looks very much as If he
would be pushed through it,"
Unquestionably there Is a strong senti-
ment in the Republican party in favor of
Mr. Roosevelt as the nominee Stranger
things have happened, and especially in
politics, than would be his unanimous
nomination by the convention next year.
If this should be done there is hardly any
doubt that MIR. Roosevelt would yield to
the pressure and be a candidate for re-
election. The Presidency Is an honor
which any man in public life would glad
ly accept Nobody has ever had to be
begged to take It; all have jumped at
II when il came anywhere near their
reach, and there IS no reason to believe
President Roosevelt is essentially differ
ent In this respect from other ambitious
Americans