The Washington herald., 1907-12-16

with the situation as It exists at present
with regard 10 their candidate, and de-
clare that II Uncle Joe" were ten years
younger he would have a waIk-over. He
is. however, remarkably strong and ac-
tive. both in mind and In body. and they
declare that his age should not cut any
figure IN his race for the Presidency. Two
years ago. when Representative william
Alden Smith. Of Michigan. now Senator.
in brilliant speech in the House. nomi-
mated Uncle Joe" for the Presidency.
his candidacy was regarded as a joke. 1t
has now come 10 be a reality. and much
more will be heard of it anon.
Mr.. Cannon's formal appearance in the
field as a contender for the Presidential
nomination will tend 20 further compli-
cate the situation that confronts the Re
publican party. AS matters now stand.
Secretary Of War Taft would seem 10 be
in the lead with all the disadvantages
that attach to a favOrite in a race. II
is the field of candidates against him.
field comprised OF able men, some Of
them backed by well-drilled. finely-dis-
ciplined organizations.
Give Him Taft's Home state.
Estimates just made here In well-in-
formed circles give Mr.. Taft about go
delegates at this writing This includes
the full delegation from Ohio. All of the
strength of the Secretary Of War, II is
declared. now lies west OF the Mississippi
His candidacy has made little or no head
way in the East. and it was the inability
Of the Taft managers 20 do business in
the South that prompted them TO kick
up so much fuss about Mr.. Cortelyou,
Secretary OF the Treasury, and MIR
Hitchcock. the First Assistant POstmas-
ter General Arthur l. Vorys, director
in-chief OF the Taft forces, told the
President. il is understood. that Mr..
Hitchcock. working in behalf of Mr.. Cor
telyou. was whooping it up for the third
term to conceal well-laid purpose to
land delegates for the Secretary Of the
Treasury. Hence the Cortelyou con-
spiracy story.
II is declared that approximately %
per cent of the delegates 10 the next Re
publican national convention viii be tied
up 10 favorite sons. II will take 400 votes
to nominate Where is Taft to get the
difference between 80 votes, which are
said TO be pledged TO him. and 49l. which
viii be necessary II the standard is 10
be placed in his hands? is a question that
Is being asked.
DictatiOn Might Defeat Taft.
As the pre-convention campaign grows
apace. bad feeling is very likely to be de-
veloped between the friends OF Mr.. Taft
and those who have in charge the inter-
ests Of the other candidates. Especially
will this be so, il Is pointed out, II the
administration should be so indiscreet as
TO attempt to take an active part in die
tating a choice to the succession. And
herein lies one danger TO the Taft candi-
dacy. President Roosevelt, il has been
understood, is keenly anxious that he
shall be succeeded in the White House by
his Secretary of War.
Should the friends OF the administration
go very far In their zeal TO carry out the
wishes of the President in this respect. il
is predicted that a row would be started
in the party that would be distinctly in
imical TO the interests of Mr.. Taft II
might be that "A coalition would be ef-
fected that would put Mr. Taft completely
Vub pA NiS running ana give the nOfnlFd-
ton to Knox, Cannon. Hughes. or some
dark horse whose name has not promi-
nently figured thus far in this connection.
Hughes Is Gaining Favor.
Some very able politicians in Washing
ton are advising candidates and their
friends TO keep an eye on Albany. a
leader of the administration who has
travelled far and wide in the United
States, picking up political information
for the benefit Of men prominent in the
party. said:
You would be amazed at the interest
people are displaying in Gov. Hughes and
his administration of State affairs in New
York. They look upon him as a man
thoroughly on the square, in harmony
with the progressive policies OF the day
and in every way fitted for further adj
vancement- Add TO this the belief on tnc
part Of the so-called interests that Nj
Hughes can be trusted TO deal fairly with
them and you have q combination thai
would be difficult to beat. Wi.h sn CT
ganiZation behind him, Gov. Hughes
would go into the convention. not a Ia
yOrte, but with fine chances of landing