Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-06-23
THE PRESIDENTIAL SITUATION.

THE PRESIDENTIAL SITUATION.
| II Is rather significant that those
Republican politicians who do not
boldly come out I'm favor OF President
'oosevelts denomination almost in
vaiiably preface the announcement
,of their choice by stating that If Mr..
Roosevelt were n candidate of course
they would be for him but. as he is
not. then they are for Fairbanks,
Tart, Knox or some one else. This
would seem to indicate that Mr.
Roosevelt is the first choice of ali
and The only choice of many. Twelve
months time must elapse before the
lncxt convention but the situation to-
day is that several states will enter
the Held with favorte sons and tho
contest is an open one. Mr.. Roosc-
velts silence on the third term
question is having peculiar effect
In that 1t is at once increasing tho
crop OF possible candidates and les.
SEEMING the chances of each, espec-
tally of the foremost. Those states
who have no favorite sons are ext.
hibiting adesire TO reserve Judgment
with Il view Of swinging into line
for Roosevelt If the opportunity pre-
Isents- Those states with presiden-
'ial timber of their own naturally
prefer TO put forward their candi-
dates rather than pledge themselves
to others. If the convention wero
held today candidates would proba.
Dly be presented rs follows: New
YORK. hughes; Indiana, Fairbanks:
ohio, Cummings, with perhaps a fow
others rs possible dark horses" Tho
ilrst few ballots would be of com.
piimentary nature, and 1t would be
unsafe to predict the outcome until
II test had been made. A candidate
from Ohio, Indiana or Illinois would
nave tho logical preference. and
Messrs. Taft, Fairbanks and Cannon
all have claims worthy of tho highest
considerations. On the other hand
hand Governor Hughes is rapidly forg-
ing to the front in public esteem.
Knox Is unfortunate in hailing from
n rockrbbed Republican state but
he viii have n decided advantage
over most of the others In one respect
rs he Is In the hands of men who
thoroughly know politics. Tho adimn.
istration cannot feel unkindly toward
MIN. while his connections and con.
servative actions make him strong
with those who want safe and
snno" candidate.
The Taft boon is regarded as n
weakling' II Mr.. Roosevelt should
come out strongly for Taft his fol
lowing would speedily increase but
whether to sufficient size Ia land
The prize is doubtful. Tho preiu-
oicc against president attempting
to dictate his successor is likely IN
prove an offcnse 10 the favorable in.
fluence he might exert. AS the
presidential legatee Mr.. Taft would
| nave the field against him. Condi.
itions in Ohio promise to prevent for
some time at least, any successful f.
tort on the part of his friends to
Icapt're other delegations. Mean.
|while Mr.. Roosevelt is playing DO.
Ilitics and in getting just what he
wants, namely, no pronouncements nj
IAN or declarations for favorite sons
with free field and many candi-
dates he VIII probably hold the bal.
ancc of power and can turn the nomi.
nation where he plcases. When the
convention meets it will be time and
,lt Is possible that he will make no fur.
ther public announcement until then
unless forced to do so by anxious in.
quirlcs. Should convention senti
mont demand his denomination he
'.could then accept or by indicating his
preference PRACTICAL present the
nomination to tho man of his solcc.
uon. BY keeping silent Mr.. Roosevelt
maintains things in statu quo: Speech
would wiring hornets nest about mis-
cars. The summer will prove nm
lnvenful one politically. In the sac,u.
sion OF his summer home he will Sc.
cure the outdoor exercise and the re-
lief in some degree from the cares
OF state, which will have beneficial
eject upon his nerves and health.
During the summer Mr. Roosevelt
| VIII do some thinking and when ne
returns to active participation in af
l1alrs the country viii get the benefit.
1. Naval officers here are discussing
} among themselves the fact that The