The Washington herald., 1908-01-14
FORAKER OFF TO-DAY
Goes to Ohio to Seek Sup
port for Presidency.
TAFT BOOM IN SHOAL WATER
ManeuverinE sn Probabilities Has
Many Pitfalls to Take Chances
Against-OhiO May Go Democratic
as Rebuke 20 NOncOncIIintOry At
titude Attributed TO Taft.

senator FORAKER VIII leave Washington
for Ohio to-day TO begin ia earnest his
fight for Endorsement by the Republican
party of his State.
He viii remain there until after the date
Set for the Republican primaries. Wheth-
er the primaries viii take place in ac-
cordauce with the directions given by
the Republican State central committee
which is controlled by the Taft faction,
is problematieal in view Of the opinion
Of the majority of the Republican Ma
tional Committees subcommittee on call
that the Congressional district primaries
ordered viii be contrary to the State pri-
mary law.
The Ohio factional situation is greatly
muddled. Friends of Secretary Taft are
expressing much concern over the pre-
yailins conditions. Some Of them believe
that a great tactical error was made by
Mr.. Taft in rebufing the conciiatory ef-
forts Of Senator Murray Crane last April.
These efforts were designed 10 bring
about a compromise between the Taft and
Foraker factions. Political leaders who
claim to know the whole story of Senator
Cranes attempt are asserting that Presl-
dent Roosevelt was responsible for Mr..
Tafts refusal to be a party to any plan
to bring about harmony among the Ohio
Republicans.
Future Dark In Ohio.
But present conditions do not worry
Ohio Republicans, who have the interest
Of their party at heart half as much
as the prospect for the future. Ohio
has stood steadfast in the Republican
column in national elections, but grave
doubts are entertained among Ohioans
here that the consistent attitude will be
maintained on next election day Some
OF the Ohio Congressman firm friends OF
Secretary Taft, are Of the opinion that
the State viii so Democratic in Novem-
Der II the Tart and Foraker managers
do not get together. These Congressmen
say that Mr.. Foraker's many friends resent
the manner in which he has been treated
by the Roosevelt administration and the
leaders Of the Taft boom, and that this
VIII result in great falling of in the
republican vote, If Mr.. Taft is nominated
Tor The Presidency, and the bitter fight
TO eliminate Mr.. Foraker from politics
IS continued by Mr.. Taft's workers
Negro Vote One Factor.
Ihe negro vote, it is pointed out. will
play an important part also in the cleo
uon IN Ohio, as in other Central Wes+er,
states where there Is a large Negro pop,-
ialloh Much resentment is felt by the
negro voters against President Roosevelt
and Secretary Taft on account of their
part in the wholesale dismissal Of paoro
soldiers Of the regular army as result
or the Brownsville ahray. Among these
negroes there is a corresponding .adfnira-
ton for Senator Foraker because Of his |
night TO establish in a legal way whether
any or the negro soldiers were euiItv of
shootIng up the Texas town. and to re- |
store to the army any innocent men VIII,
may have been discharged without
honor.' 1t "a claimed by Ohio politicians
IN Washington that if harmony is re-
stored in the Republican camp in that /
state Senator Foraker will be abla n |
hold the negro vote TO its usual allegiance
Admit Committee Opposition.
1t is asserted here in well-informed /
quarters that an important feature of the
Iatt ante-convention campaign VIII be an
eHort TO bring about a change OF senti- /
ment in the Republican National Com
mittee. The Taft people concede that tbe
committee is controlled by those who do
not favor Mr.. Tafrs candidacy. II vas
the sudden appreciation of this fact bv
President Roosevelt that had considerable
influence in his determination 10 make
his second renunciation of a third fern,
in the hope that it would strengthen mir
Tafts chances.
Lhe national committee has a powerful
influence over the party machinery. and
the candidate who has the friendship Of a
majority OF its members has a distinct
advantage. The current story is that
the Taft management wishes to get
the upper hand in the national commit
tee. in order that the committee can he
depended upon TO sustain the Taft dele
gates elected In the Ohio district pri-
maries, whose election will be contested
on the ground that It was clearly illegal
and also to permit the seating OF six dele
gtaes from each Of the Territories.
Don't Claim Local support.
The national committee reduced the
Territorial representation to two in each
case. where six delegates had been ac-
cepted heretofore. The Taft managers
contend that they will have all the Ter
ritorial delegates except those from the
District of Columbia. and it is said to be
their plan TO have each Territorial con-
yention elect six Taft delegates to the
national convention. with the object OF
having them seated this would give Mr..
Iait tWenty-fOur additional votes. pro
Vlded' OF course, that the claims of his
friends as % the Territories are borne
out. Control of the national committee
would be a decided advantage toward
making the plan successful. but If the
committee should continue TO be un-
friendly, an appeal from its adverse de
cision could be taken 10 the convention.
This reputed proposed course Of the
Taft people is fun OF danger. Should
the convention refuse to seat Ohio dele
gates elected by Congressional district
primaries, and refuse also to seat six
from each Territory, contesting
delegations presumably anti-Taft, might
be seated
There is much gossip among friends of
the Republican candidates about the al
legged scheme of the Taft managers
IN nNgv ~. f,