Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-12

Washington, May u.-RepuDllcan
leaders in Congress are working earn
estly on plan To prevent any break at
the Chicago convention which might
disrupt the party or endanger defeat
at the polls in November. Conferences
have been held at both ends Of the
Capitol among such men as Senators
Aldrich. Hale, Allison, and Crane. and
Representatives Payne and Sherman OF
~ Y; Tawney of Mimi: Jenkins of
Wis, ard Smith of Iowa. In fact
meetings of small groups from this list
have been of almost daily occurrence
Tor more than week. They have been
directed to one end-a nomination on
the first ballot by which they mean
William f. Taft. While no definite re-
suits have been reached. they believe
their efforts will be successful.
Most Of the men figuring prominent
~ in this movement We're numbered
against Taft early in the campaign. but
Iarty policy and the necessity for har-
mOny which has been manifest in Re
publican ranks since the disastrous
results of the Biainc-C Dnklin feud. has
awakened a demand that personal de-
sires be suoordinated to the will OF the
ma iority That the efforts of the
group Of leaders back IF the harmony
movement have not been barren of .'v
suits is indicated by the fact that to ii
number of the conferences have been
called such men as Senators Hemcn-
way, Penrose, Crllom. Hopkins and
Depew and Representatives Parsons
and Vreeland of y. Y: Boutell and
Mann of Ills: Burke and Dalzcll of
~ Il 7 .,fI y1t "a al
others who are backing the candidates.
OF Vice President Fairbanks. Speaker
Cannon. Senator Knox n Gov Hughes.
No attempt is made t" disguise the
fact that the real impetus to such Il
concerted movement in the interest OF
Secretary Taft is the refusal of Roo.sc-
welt sentiment to be -nuffed out and
the danger of such sentiment spreading
to an extent that it might be difficult
of control at Chicago. At the same
time it is said that movement is not
hostile to President Roosevelt, VINO adj
lnittedly occupies the position of COM
nland of the TAFT forces. He has made
it perfectly plain that nothing can
come of the renewed calls for his re-
nomination which have been made in
Texas Utah and California, because he
is prepared to reject any proffer OF
support no matter how extended.
rhe uttermost limit of endeavor of
the Republican leaders who are striv-
ing to harmonic party difference and
10 eliminate all candidates for the
nomination except Secretary TAFT, but
il is not anticipated that all of the
candidates will readily agree to this
proposition. Supporters OF Senator
Knox particularly are said to oppose
the plan and one Of the other candi-
dates is holding forth strongly that
there is no immediate demand for
agreement At the same time there arc
eiaderS in Illinois. Indiana PonnsylTd-
MIA and New York who are parties to
the movement with the knowledge Of
the favOrte candidates from those
states.
The selection of Secretary Taft as
the beneficiary of the harmony fac
ton is because he is the only candi
date wEo has sufficient instructed
votes to promise an early nomination.
The argument of the harmony faction
/. that il Taft fails to obtain the nom
inotion on the first ballot and the al
lies should be able to hold out against
MN. IL NOuil Al ''IlN tiVii VI
many ballots These leaders have lit
tie doubt that in such a contingency
the Roosevelt third term sentiment
would threaten a stampede and though
they have little doubt the President
would not hesitate to squelch any &C
tion looking to his nomination. the
effect of such a stampede could only
be surmised. The possible dire results
upon the campaign for the election of
the candidate. whoever he may be. is