Arizona republican., 1908-02-04
PHoENIx, ARIz, FEBRUARY I, 1908.
THE SECOND FIDDLE.

we nave DcIOrC. observed that the campaign of Secretary Taft for the presidential nomination has been bad iy managed throughout the country from the beginning, and that it has been especially unskiIlfully conducted in Arizona. ever since the local man agement received word from head quarters that it was to be Taft and not Roosevelt, that is. when it was definitely made known that the presi- don't had actually and finally dcsig- mated the secretary of war as his legatee.
 Ever since then the territory has been flooded with literature IThc Re publican's mail is laden with it), from what We may call the Roosevelt syn. dicate," keeping to the front with per- sistent prominence, as the main fact, that the president desires the nomina- ton of MT. Taft.
 We have reason to believe that if the republican voters of Arizona were left to themselves. they would enter tain the fricndliest opinion of MT. Taft. and. that with the possible ex- ception of Mr. Foraker. he would nat urally present a stronger claim upon their support than any other candidate who has been suggested. No one dis putes that in his own proper person he would he an admirable candidate for the presidency. His lovableness of character and his tried statesman- ship would appeal to them But his position of protege, and especially. as protege of President Roosevelt. does not so strongly appeal to them
 We think that the recommendation
 'lmost any other prominent repub- lican in the union would carry greater weight among Arizona republicans than that of MT. Roosevelt. The ap- peals which come here from the syn dicate' remind Arizonians that it was only little more than d year ago that the president was endeavoring to in- flict his influence upon the territory in another matter-that of joint state hood; that he was then writing let tcrs to prominent citizens urging the voters. by threats of continued vas salage. to vote for jointure and so repudiate Senator Foraker. who had defeated his project in the senate. This fresh appeal from the president for a repudiation of Mr Foraker is naturally associated by Arizonians with the first one MT. Taft would do better here if the people could be permitted, by the syndicate" to for get his intimate relations with the president.
 And, elsewhere-Jhroughout the coun- try, the supporters of MT Taft are presenting him not as leader but as d worthy recipient of Elijahs mantle. We have before us now a copy of the resolutions of a republican county convention in Ohio, even in MT Taft's own state, thus lamely endorsing him: That We heartily approve and en- dorse the administration of our belov- ed and honored leader, President Roosevelt and deeply regret that his refusal to be a candidate for re-elec- tion makes il necessary for our party to choose another standard bearer" Then follows the endorsement of the most trusted adviser to the president and next to him the foremost states man cf the country"
 There are many republicans in this country who though friendly to the president and his policies are not Rocseveltomaniacs, who do not believe it wise To choose a next best states man for the presidency and who will not choose d standard bearer deeply regrctting" the while. they are do- inS so. They afe likely to bc con Vinced by the methods which are be- ins foolishly employed in behalf of Mr Taft, that the business of select ing a nominee should be left to those who can do SD without "rcgrct' and with confidence in his own strength.
 We believe that if Mir. Tafts can didacy is to succeed, his friends will have to promote him to a place of more prominence in the political or chestra. If there must be second fiddle, let Mir Roosevelt play that less responsible instrument and let him play it very low in Arizona.
 BY WAY OF REMINDER.