The Washington times., 1908-11-27

Washington day by day, the tentative
contest over the Speakership is begin
ming to pass from a simmer to boil
1t simmered for a week; it viii boil
during the last week before Congress
meets. and for some time thereafter
Then everything will depend on the
manifestation which shall come from
the camp of the incoming Administra-
ton.
Among the people who have come 20
Washington thus Ear, the sentiment Is
decidedly bearlsh on any proposition OF
defeating the Speaker Even among
men who would ike 10 see a change,
the feeling is strong that his defeat is
likely to prove Impossible. 1t is pretty
definitely understood that President
Roosevelt, who is no more fond of the
Speaker than is Mr.. Taft. feels that it
Is very doubtful whether the Burton
announcement from Hot Springs was
good politics. The President has a way
Of figuring out carefully the chances Of
winning before he projects himself into
fights. In this case he feels, as do many
Of the insurgeut House members, that
victory In a contest against the Speaker
IS most uncertain, and that defeat IN
such a contest would be extremely un-
fortunate.
Must Do Something.
It Is now apparent that not many days
viii elapse before something definite viii
have to be determined about this fight.
Mr.. Taft has never said he proposed to
fight the Speaker. The Burton state
ment specifically indicated that It pre-
scented the views Of Mr.. Burton rather
than those Of Mr.. TAFT The circum-
stances Of its issuance, Immediately aft
er Mr.. Burton had come from a long
talk with the President-elect, gave Il
the special significance which otherwise
Il could nor have carried. Even In max
ing his statement. Mr.. Burton said he
was a candidate for Senator from Ohio.
not for Speaker.
The Taft camp must soon decide
whether It viii press the EFFORT against
Cannon. II it is to do so, IT must have
a candidate for Speaker or else a group
OF candidates
You can't beat somebody with no
body" Is a political maxim which has
been deeply impressed on practical
minds in recent months. Mr.. fafC
couldn't be beaten for the Chicago
nomination by a rope-of-sand alliance:
Governor Hughes couldn't be defeated
for the New York gubernatorial nomi-
nation BY a combination OF disaffection
and personal ambitions for bosship. and
Mr.. Cannon cannot be beaten unless
some man shall become a candidate, on
whom can ultimately be conferred a ma
iOrity Of the Republican membership OF
the House.
Insurgents at a Loss.
But IN casting about for candidate,
the insurgents are much at a loss. Ar.
Burton viii know whether he is going
TO be Senator. several weeks before the
Speaker must be elected, He could enter
the Speakership race. II defeated for
Senator. But there are obvious diff
culties. Defeated for Senator, he would
have lost prestige. More serious stilI
he would have lost precious weeks OF
time. While holding the field open on
the chance Of his entering It. he would
have given the Cannon people time and
opportunity 70 secure pledges.
What is needed right now is either
one overshadOwing candidate for the
anti-Cannon forces or else a group OF
candidates who, each in his own local
ity. will be able TO hold out a follow
ing, the aggregate OF which win be
large enough to comprise a majority Of
the Republican members. Who are the
possible anti-CannOn candidates.
Mr. Burton comes first He Is looked
upon as the most promising man to
surround some votes n the region east
of the Alleghanies and north of the
Ohio. In that territory most OF the
votes are al this tine regarded as sure
for Cannon. Anything secured there is
pure gain. Burton is the type of man
TO make appeal in the East. despite
that he opposed the naval expansion
program Of last session.
Townsend Is Next
Next comes Charles +. Townsend. of
author of the so-calIed Esch- /
Townsend railroad rate legislation meas
u-es which started the railroad control
fight IN the House, and leader of the
ins Urgents ia the last session. Townsend
has proved his complete sympathy with
the progressive program, and likewise
has demonstrated that he has courage
and ability in organization and on the
floor. A good many of last sessions
insurgents have expressed the strong
desire to vote for him for Speaker. and
Ii is believed he will shortly be brought
out as a candidate for The Speakership.
Another man who is being studied by
the insuTss ats is Fred c. Stevens, Of
who is looked upon as an
eXCellenuy qualified man, thoroughly IN
sympathy with a movement for a new
deal in House leadership.
Walter /. Smith, of Iowa, is regarded
as a very possible man to hold together
a force Of mid-Western people, and as a
man by ability and experience well quail
flied for the Speakership. He has been
giving evidence of entire willingness to
be considered, and "A number of mem
DeTs in Nebraska ard Iowa have de
clared for him 1t is considered that
the announcement Of his candidacy
would assure, from the start. thf SIM !
port Of the members from these two
states, probably of those from South /
Dakota and possibly a number of
others
Illinois May Help.
There has been intimation that two or /
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