The National tribune., 1907-04-11
IS THERE A STOCK
IOBBERS' CONSPIRACY ?
Continued from page one)

Continued from page one.)
bacco producers was rejected, because
there was a controversy between them
and the Tobacco Trust regarding the
Interpretation of the internal revenue
law, which had to be decided by the
President. He accordingly gave notice
that contributions should be accepted
from neither party to this affair. Some
months before, he had been informed
by Judge, former United States Sena-
tor Jeter c. Pritchard that the Tobacco
Trust was working to get Hanna dele
gates in the Coast Counties of North
Carolina. and that they had warned
Judge Pritchard, known as the Presi-
dents representative, to step aside in
those Counties.
Hartman Claimed Western Delegates.
The account of a remarkable confer
ence of Hanna men was likewise given
for in that conference was Hartman as
one of it's big men, promising to deliver
to Hanna the delegates from Kansas,
Colorado, California. Iowa and Nebras-
ka The President said he gave not
even q. second thought to Hartman =
claim to the Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska
delegates. He thought it possible that
Hartman could get Colorado. but to
forestall him in California bade his own
friends there start an organization
which was headed by w. c. Van Fleet.
This same Van Fleet that very day had
been nominated by Mr.. Roosevelt as
United States District Judge for the
Northern District of California.
All this and much more was told dur
ing this conference of a remarkable
afternoon. When followed by the dis
closures of the next day about the So
100000 conspiracy, working along the
same lines as the conspiracy in Hanna's
behalf in 1904, the statements simply
dazed political Washington. No Presi-
dent ever before had attempted so bold
a stroke or had given away such inner
secrets of the party Of which he is the
recognized leader.
A Shrewd Move. ,@---l-- -."r--
But it became apparent that the Pres
ident had probably acted with excellent
wisdom. for he has brought it about so
that the Republicans who are fighting
him are in danger Of being classed with
the conspirators. 1t was said to be a
part OF the game of the rich conspira-
tors to buy up delegates. influence the
press and further a general anti-Roose-
Welt propaganda. The favorite son
racket was also said to be part of the
plan. After that sort of an annonce-
ment politicians may be afraid to start
a boom for a favOrite son, lest it iden-
tify them with the alleged conspirators.
1t was a blow at the Cannon Presiden-
tial boom, at the Fairbanks boom, at
the Crane boom in Massachusetts, and
at the Foraker boom i'm Ohio. 1t was
welding of the big stick to terrorize
into favoring no man
for the Presidency whom Mr.. Roosevelt
himself does not favor.
No one in Washington seriously
doubts that these decisive movements
were made by the President for the
purpose of getting absolute control of
the next National Convention. He wants
to dictate to that convention what it
shall do and what candidate it shall
name. He would like to name Secre-
tary Taft, but it is well in that connec-
ton not to forget Secretary of the
Treasury Cortelyou. If the President
finds that Secretary Taft does not bear
himself we'll in the Ohio fight he could
easily switch to Secretary Cortelyou,
whom the corporations like and whom
the President also likes. Mr.. Cortelyou
is keeping remarkably quiet, but he has
a lightning rod up.
1t is plain that the President intends
to fight campaign all Summer long
As one editorial writer put it. 1.-The loud
series of explosions from Mr.. Roose-
veit's racing machine shows it is likely
to be run under tremendous pressure"
What the President hopes to do is to
fight it all out this Summer. scare the
other candidates under cover and have
things SO much his own way that his
will not be questioned when
the next National Convention meets. He
does not propose to abate his campaign
for more legislation. and wants TO have
his own way about everything up to the
day he steps down and out.
The President has already grasped
his big stick, and is waiting for devel-
in Ohio. The Brownsville hear
ing has closed for the present. and Sem
ator Foraker has gone out to Ohio to
begin his stumping tour. He speaks at
Canton April 10, but will not get into
political discussion till little later If
he does not let the President alone the
President threatens to get back at him
like a thousand of brick. The Presi-
dent wants Taft to secure the indorse-
ment of the Ohio delegation but isl
afraid the odds are against him in Ohio
he is not going to stand
idly By while Senator Foraker attacks
the Roosevelt Administration.
After Hartman In Earnest.
1t is also believed to be the Presi-
1enf'S 1aterp1 tn daSfroy Ha