Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-27
MN. TAFT AND THE SOUTH.

It would perhaps be an eXaggera-
are such as to indicate that Mr.. Taft
will carry Texas, or Georgia. or any
of the southern states, with the ex-
ception of Kentucky and Tennessee,
admit the presence of a Taft senti-
ment In the southern states that will
result in a larger vote being cast for
Mr.. Taft south Of Mason and DiXon's
line than has been given to a repub-
-lican presidential candidate since the
civil war. The south has experienced
a remarkable commercial and Indus
trial development in the last decade,
and the business interests of the south
are in full sympathy with the repub-
lican policies.
Many of the democratic papers in
the south are frankly voicing their
dissatisfaction with Bryan and Bryan
ism, and many of the leading citizens
are openly urging the voters to put the
ever-present negro question in the
background and to make the political
fight on living business issues. The
Atlanta Constitution, which Is rather
lukewarm in its support of Bryan,
prints a letter, more than a column
long, from Robert ]. Lowry, a leading
banker of Atlanta and president of the
American Bankers association, in
which he urges Georgia to give its
vote to Taft. Mr.. LowTy's letter, in
part, is as follows:
Thousands upon thousands of the good
white people OF Georgia are going to cast
their votes for Judge Taft, and why not
enough OF them to give him a plurality?
Why not? We have had many political
surprises in Georgia, some Of such recept
date as to yet be fresh in the minds Of
everyone, and many are to come in the fu-
ture. 1t is not a rash statement to make
that, IL President Roosevelt had consented
to serve his country another term, the state
of. Georgia would have cast its vote for
him! Then why not for Judge Taft, who is
pledged to carry forward the liberal poll
oies Of the retiring president. and who was
the choice of the retiring president as his
successor?
1t has been my great pleasure to enjoy
the friendship OF Judge Taft for some years
past. and I nave never met a more bril-
liant statesman, a more astute and affa-
BILE diplomat or a more polished gentleman,
This tribute / pay to him as a friend, and
not as the political opponent Of the demo
Gratis. l regard him as one OF the strong
est characters before the public today, and
the ideal Of business, commercial and in
dustrlal interests OF the country for presi-
dent.
The country cannot afford to do other,
wise than elect Judge Taft, and it would
be a great step for progress II Georgia the
empire state of the south. should cast IT:
vote for this eminent jurist, statesman and
patriot.
The record shows that Georgia hal
never beer very enthusiastic fol-
Bryan. The state gave Mr.. Cleveland
$1,000 plurality in 1892, but Mr.
Bryan carried it by only $4,000 IL
1896 and by $4,000 in 1900, Will,
Judge Parker carried IL by CO. 900 ii
1904. Georgia is conservative ana
keeps its big pluralities for conserva
tive candidates. 1t was the only south
ern state that refused TO Join in tn,
cheering for Bryan at Denver ant
while the state will doubtless be re
!, corded in the democratic column again
this year. the Taft vote will be un
usually large.
Tennessee, while casting a large