The Washington herald., 1907-06-02
SUNDAY. JUNE 2. 1901
The President and "rayori,e sons

4 la tiA~lNANith aAtiA q VI ~ T'tA~s
one of the most interesting of recent
political developments is President Roose-
velts apparent change IF attitude toward
the "fayurite-s1n' movement When the
story of the ibsiiious dve-miluon-dollar
Conspiracy" was first conhded 20 a more
or less lereduLeus public. the statement
was made presumably on authority. that
in addition to buying legislatures, politi-
cal conventions, and the press, the CON
spirators" would attempt TO further their
nefarious purpose by muddviug the politi-
cal waters through the bringing out of
various candidates backed by the con-
veHLo1 delegations of their respective
States. Friends of the administration
throughout the country were given 10
understand that the President viewed
such plans with extreme disfav0r. and
supporters of numerous iucip.eut hooms
whose actions indicated that they vers
not properly impressed 10y this informa-
ton were listed with the "mfuends'
and the .raactionaries."
But now at least two "favorite sons
Senator Knox and Representative Can
non-have been branded formally with
the Presidential o. X, and public men
in touch with the White House have
been at some pains to create the i'm
preston that no foundation exists for
the belief that Mr.. Roosevelt is deter
mined 90 place all his eggs in the Taft
basket Whether these developments
were due 90 the criticism of what some
persons conceived 20 be an attempt on
the part 1f the President TO dictate the
selection ot his successor. or % some
other cause. is not important The point
is that apparently, "favortts sons" if
they can justly lay claim 90 a dispose
tion 20 gphold what are known as the
Roosevelt policies. win not necessarily i'm
wife the dispIeasure Of the Executive by
appearing I'm the light Of receptive caudi-
dates for the nomination.
one result of this seeming change Of
front is that the Knox boom. which al
ready had assumed very considerable
proportions continues 90 show a healthy
growth Although i'm touch with domi-
uant financial influences. the PennsvI-
Tania Senator is not open 10 the charge
of being o. "rsactionHrv." His record as
Attorney General is am effective weapon
Of defense. Furthermore. although ne
has made no public declaration with ref
ereDee to the tariff. it is asserted by his
friends that he favcrs revision by the
SiXty-hrst Congress. or mt least is willing
that revision be attempted by that body.
assuming that it will contain majority
Of Republicans. Thus he is removed from
the ranks Of the Interchangeable stand
pattors. which. with conditions as they
are at present. is unquesuonabIy another
point in his favor.
IN spite Of Senator Hopkins recent
declaration that Mr.. Cannon has seen a
new light on the tariff. and that the
piugley rates do not appear as sacred
@ him now as formerly. Uncle Joe's"
popular strength Is still an Unknown
quantity and must remain so until he
himself says something definite on the
question of revision. No standpatter win
be nominated next year, unless We are
radically mistaken
Gov Hughes continues TO appeal force
AA-l- 40 iLt people \ Ice EEe-lNelt + air
banks, according TO more than one OBJ
server. is not as strong now as ne was
two or three months ago. the Taft boom
has not been received with any marked
degree of enthusiasm. except in Ohio:
Senator Foraker seems to be out Of the
running, and so one might so on through
the list The latest "favorite son" is
Senator la Toilette. who is of the Hughes
kind. and has been commended by Mr..
Bryan. The movement In his behalf may
Doe safely expected to grow
In short, the political woods are full Of
'favorite sons but across the path
along which each is attempting to get out
into the opeu there looms the shadow
OF President Roosevelt himself Marked
sentiment for his denomination continues
10 be in evidence. and it is both interest
ing and significant that the promised
formal reiteration of his declaration not
10 accept another nomination has not been
forthcoming. and that so far as the
public IS aware, Senator Bourne's per
sistent talk Of a second elective term"
has ELECTED no rebuke.