The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-04-14
TAFT SUPPORTERS

Iganizing white Republican delegations
from Dixie. True, there are contest
ing delegates, many of whom are
lcolered and some of whom are
shouting for Foraker, but II the Taft
men control the national Republican
committee, as they appear to do,
these contesting delegates stand little
chance of winning convention seats.
In short. the Foraker boom Is lost,
and the course of politics proceeds as
before. There is neither sensation nor
hue and cry. Those most interested
at any time were rivals of Taft, who
hoped Foraker would split the Ohio
delegation. When Foraker failed to
do that interest in his boom died
But whether the senior Ohio sena-
tor has laid powder mine to be ex-
ploded under the Republican ticket
in November remains to be seen
The politicians of his state and OF
his party have disregarded him and
his "black battalion" Whether the
negro voters will disregard them next
November Is the political puzzle OF
the campaign. Foraker has recently
uHtu luHSulSt WHICH
ly close to promise TO lead a bolt
Discussing the lily white southern
delegations. before a colored audi
ence here. not long since. the Ohio
senator said that new parties would
soon be formed II the Republicans
declined to recognize the rights or
colored men. and that he had fought
for tho long "a. oh 10.
attitude.
On the whole the Taft boomers do
not seem 80 happy that the Foraker
boom Is lost. They would have pre-
ferred to have had it launched.
Joseph Benson Foraker illustrates
the same law in politics that retires
precocious child actors TO obscurity.
Some of the famous children who
played Lord Fauntleroy are now
milking cows and others are selling
ribbons. Foraker was a presidential
possibility when William Mckinley
figured as an obscure country con-
gressman NJ. A. Hanna as rough
man of business with local influence
in the make up of Cleveland city
councils, and when William Howard
Taft was young lawyer and cam
didate for small judgeship appoint
ment at the governors hands. For
aker was the governor. In those
days Foraker based his dreams on
wrestling control of Ohio politics from
the aged hands of John Sherman.
Those were the times, too, when New
York Republicans thought they had
to have Governor Foraker on the
stump to carry that state. He had
rebuffed Grover Cleveland, declared
that mo rebel flags shall be returned
while | am governor" and he was
the idol of the crowd that cries when
the 'Star Spangled Banner" is
played. His tossing black hair, flash
Ing eyes, sturdy figure and stormy
rhetoric were features of national Re-
publican conventions.
"a coming president" people said
of Foraker.
He failed TO wrest Ohio from Sher-
mans hands and before their grip
had become too feeble TO hold the
state, William Mckinley was the
martyr OF a gerrymander the author
of tariff bill, twice governor and
Ohio candidate for president. Be-
hind Mckinley marched Hanna,
looming too large TO allow room for
Foraker anywhere near Ohio's presi-
dent. Mckinley died. Hanna died.
Roosevelt under whose banner For
aker fought Hanna, picks Taft, start
ed In public life by carelessly tossed
Foraker appointment, as the next
favorite son Of the Buckeye state.
To Foraker's bitter surprise his party
In Ohio ratified the choice. When
Taft came from the Philippines to
Washington TO become war secre-
Itary, Foraker rather patronlzingly
presented him TO the world OF the
capital, in big reception. In few
years, yes months, the protege was
elbowing the patron from his politi-
cal niche
This history explains the bitterness
in which Foraker receives defeat. the
angry feelings with which he recalls
his lost boom, the vengeful spirit
animating his John Brown raid, the
prolongation OF his fight beyond or
dinary political limits, the black ''no
quarter flag" which flies over his
outlaw camp. He must see Taft de-
feated, either for the nomination or
election, else his naughty pride is
broken.
Foraker Is sixty-two. At sixteen
he enlisted In the army and before