Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-11-28
CONFUSION IN SOUTH
Presidents Orders 10 Republicans
0IfIcehoIGsrs The Cause Of Il.
MAY DISRUPT THE ORGANIZATION
Republican Leaders in South Write
that There May BE Breach in
Alignment. for Adn,lnistratlon-oth
cr Candidates Press Claims.

| w -. ", NOV. a.
Letters and kilograms which have
been received in Washington the last
day or two indicate that confusion,
IL not turmoil exists among Rcpubll.
can leaders In most of the Southern
States as a result of the edlct of the
President against Federal ofIicehold-
ers advocating his denomination or
accepting election as delegates with
instructions to vote for him at the
national convention next year. The
tenor of these communications sug-
gests tho possibility of serious
break In the alignment of the South
ern leaders, who have been banded
together either to support the Presi
dent for denomination or to prevent n
candidate not favored by him from
capturing Southern delegations.
AS Is well known to politicians and
perhaps to the public generally II has
been impossible for any of the avow-
ed candidates to make any headway
with their respective canvasses in
tho South. Vice-President Fairbanks
attempted II and failed. Tho man.
ayers OF Secretary Taft also made
tho effort in vain. Others. cognizant
of their disappointment, have refrain
Cd from making the attempt up to
this time 1t was found that the
leaders In tho various States below
the Mason and Dixon line virtually
had been merged Into n compact or
ganizntiOn, which stood ready to in
sist upon and even fight for the re-
fnomlnation of Mr.. Roosevelt. or as an
alternative man committed to con.
tinuo his policies who had the sthmp
of his approval.
Lined Up for President.
1t perhaps need not be said that
the most active of the party leaders
OF the South may be numbered among
the Federal officeholders, and the
most notable executions to this rule
are national committeeman and State
chairmen who have been consulted
In the distribution of patronage
Quite naturally such men upon re.
cclving what they considered n
straight tin from Washington, readily
lined I'm for the President or who
ever might nrove to be his reserve
candidate, They entered into an al
lance with officials ut the National
| Capital and have been standing firm
" AGAINST the invasion OF their field
nv all candidates who lacked the Of
fetal Endorsement OF the occupant Of
the White House.
Their primary purpose ostensbly.
rs already stated, has been to bring
about the denomination OF the Pres
ident; but now, In view of the inhibi-
ton placed upon their activity. they
appear to he in state of bewilder.
ment, which threatens to develop into
decentralization unless reassuring in
| formation reaches them from Wash
.ngton. Many politicians have been,
and still are of the opinion that the
President favored the nomination of
Secretary Taft, but he has not yet
gone On record to that effect. Per
haps, rs claimed by certain officials
I,who profess TO speak by the book.
1t is his purpose not to indorse the
War Secretary in n formal way, and
the doubt that exists OIL this point
simply intenSifies the confusion of
the Southern leaders. The result is
that the fruits of about two years OF
persevering and skillful political work
may be lost. Mt least In part for II
has taken that long TO bring the or
gaui2at,on In TINT section to its pres.
ent state of unity OF purpose.
Other Candidates Encouraged.
+ Whether this organization OF
Southern leaders can be hold intact
from this time on is matter OF live
ly speculation among politicians II
Is also a matter of concern to the
men largely responsible for its exist
ence. 1t Is still 10 be revealed wheth
or IN effort will he made from Wash
ington. with the Presidents approval
to prevent the alignment from coins
n MI IL. L,
that certain candidates for the nom
nation who thus far have failed t.
make inroads upon this solid admin
istrat'on phalanx. have begun to be
stir themselves again. and feel Ell
couraged over the prospect of accom-
plishing results which they have beer
unable to attain in the past
Politicians who keep in touch will
situations of this kind now look fol
interesting Developments In tho con
test for the nomination. which. up tc
this time. has been at something oil
standstill on account of the activi
~ OF administration agents In the
South. While the third.term boomers
were at work, 1t was Impossible for
other candidates to stir UP any sen
timent In their own behalf. But now
we IresiuentS euict fs construed
~ eliminating him from further cal
citations. there Is nc telling what may
happen. The average political lead
or wastes no time in forming combi
nations which he considers will prove
profitable TO him in the end. Conse
ouently the news from the South may
be of lively interest to political cir
cles generally unless heroic meas
lures arc adopted to stop cleavage
IN what i'm to this time has been q
superb and impreenable organization
81 New May BE Superseded.