The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-09

Aef Fu-clccllOu-
His decision. his closest conndants say,
IS irrevocabIe. He would even go to the
extent OF refusing a nomination. He is
for Taft to the finish. however bitter the
finish may be.
significant report in this connection.
however. has been current the last few
days 1t is to the effect that States which
are for Roosevelt, and which cannot be
lined up for Taft. viii be permitted to
instruct for the President, with the OBJ
Ject of switching them to the Ohioan in
the national convention. Whether such a
course would in the end stin leave IT pos
sible for Roosevelt 20 escape being the
nominee is a matter OF serious doubt I'm
the minds Of shrewd Republicans They
believe that, once States begin instructing
for Roosevelt no power on earth can
prevent his nomination. and that, strong
and determined as he is. he could not
defy the will of the people as expressed
through his party, without everlastingly
wrecking his future.
Obstacles to Taft Boom.
Administration Republicans are keenIv
appreciative OF the fact that William
Howard Taft is not going to be nomi-
mated for the Presidency without a hard
struggle. His boom is not yet safely
launched. Hurdles are being erected hv
the opposition TO obstruct his candidacy.
There are difficulties in the big States Of
New York. Pennsylvania, Indiana, and
Illinois, represented, respectively. by
Hughes and Cortelyou, Knox. Fairbanks.
and Cannon; while conditions in Taft's
own State are by no means as satisfac-
tory as the administration would like.
1t is We'll understood that the States
named will not make Taft their second
choice, If the favorite sons can prevent
IT, Already there IS believed 70 be an
understanding between Knox. Fairbanks.
and Cannon which bodies i'll for Taft.
Cannon's friends are quietly hopeful that
he will be the beneficiary Of this under
standing OF compact
But Charles Z. Hughes, governor of
New York, is the factor in the equation
that is giving administration people the
most concern. They realize that he has
grown and is growing. They realize. too.
that, in spite Of his reform policies. he
lis much more acceptable TO the big
moneyed interests OF the East than Roose-
yelt. or ROoseveIts candidate, Taft
While they do not believe that at this
time he is well enough known to COM
mand a following sufficient to nominate
him, they do apprehend that six months
hence may find him a most formidable
political quantity.
DispIeRsrd by COrteIyOu.
Cortelyous attitude, it is understood.
is by no means pleasing TO administration
people. He has not committed himself to
the Taft candidacy or to the administra-
TONS political programme In fact. Cor
telyOu himself is a receptive candidate
for President. Such influences as he
holds-and they are by no means incon-
sequential in view Of his long and promi-
nent association with Mark Hanna and
the Old Guard-are not welded on be-
half OF Candidate Taft An administra-
ton Republican a few days ago. dis
cUssing COrtelyou in private conversation.
said that If Mckinley had lived. CorteI-
you could not have aspired to the Pres
idency. and that his present greatness
was hut ~ 4AuDSthttls VINO NdQ made
him Secretary OF Commerce and Labor,
Postmaster General. and now, Secretary
of the Treasury. Therefore in the view
of this administration Republican, Cor
telyou ought to be acting in fun accord
with the administration in the interest Of
Taft
Columbus Speech Not Effective.
Taft's slogan at Columbus and his sub
sequent speeches in the West have ap-
parently not strengthened his candidacy
The very fact that he is in the role Of
White House heir apparent is operating
against him. If he is to become President
merely TO carry forward ROOsevelt's poll
cies. why not have Roosevelt himself?
This is the question universally asked
But among the more ardent Roosevelt
Republicans there is doubt whether Taft
really measures up to the Roosevelt re-
ouirements There were certain qualif-
cations in his speech which did not please
the Roosevelt masses. On the other hand
he committed himself to the Rooseveltian
policies TO such an extent as to render
him persona non grata TO powerful inter-
ests in the East. Therefore, Taft is be-
lieved 10 have suffered in both directions
by reason Of his recent utterances. His
willingness TO see tariff legislation post
poned also weakened him in the quarters
where he was formerly strong The sen
timent in favor of immediate tariff re-
vision Is developing generally, but since
his Columbus speech il is clear 10 tariff
reformers that but little more may be
expected from Taft than from Knox or
Fairbanks or Cannon. In the year pre-
ceding the campaign of 1904 Republican
leaders assured and reassured the country
that the tariff would be revised after the
national election. But it was not revised
and there is feeling now that Taft's
promises may be as barren Of results as
were the promises Of other Republican
leaders four years ago.
Roosevelt First, Then Hughes.
Throughout the country the Out-and-out
Roosevelt Republicans-the great number
who want him nominated for a second
elective term. or for a third term. if the
people care to call It such-are showing
no disposition to transfer their allegiance
10 Taft There are unmistakabIe signs
that they look with much greater favor
Continued on page 2, column 4.