The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-30
Former Lieutenant Governor
Warren G. Harding of Ohio
Enters Contest for the Foraker
Senatorial Seat.
MACHINE FOR TAFT.
Senior Senator Views the Situa-
tiOn COmplacently.
Content to Let the Others Fight
Among Themselves.

Columbus, o., Dec. 3O.-The senator
lal tight which is being waged here with
Representative Theodore E. Burton, of
Cleveland; Charles p. Taft. of Cincin-
natl, brother of the president-elect and
Senator Joseph B. Foraker, as the cen
tral figures, is in many ways one of
the most interesting political struggles
the country has ever witnessed The
complexities of the situation are such
as to cause the oldest of the political
leaders to hesitate about predicting the
outcome. Mr.. Taft and Mr. Burton are
doing the bulk of the fighting, while
Senator Foraker is looking on with no
small degree of satisfaction over the ac-
tive hostilities between the two men
who are opposing his reelection. Sena-
tor Foraker hopes the fighting viii con-
tinue for some time yet and is opposed
to a caucus of the Republican members
of the legislature prior to January u.
when the first ballot for senator will be
taken at the state house. Mr.. Burton
has also announced himself as opposed
to caucus at this time. but Mr.. Taft
and his adherents are still hopeful OF
bringing matters to an early issue be-
fore a binding conference of the Re
publican state senators and representa-
tives.
In the shadow of the senatorial
struggle all of the old differences of
the Republican party in this state are
being threshed out. Mr.. Taft is sup
ported by the organization" and con-
sequently is opposed by the men who
for years have been fighting the organ
izatlon. President-elect William H.
Taft, whether he would have it so or
not, is dominent figure in the strug-
gle and oddly enough friends of both
Mr. Burton and Mr.. Charles Taft, are
claiming their sympathy with their
cause. The Vorys-H Hitchcock incident OF
the national campaign is by no means
forgotten by the opposing forces in the
present fight and in fact if there is any
incident in state or national politics OF
the past decade which has been over
looked by the politicians it is but an ev-
idence of the weakness OF the flesh
where the spirit is willing.
Claims of victory continue to issue
today from the headquarters of Messrs.
Taft and Burton while there was much
discussion of the new conner among the
candidates, former Lieutenant Cover
nor Warren G. Harding of Marion. Mr..
Harding was first brought forward as
candidate last night and today was re-
garded as one of the favorite dark
horses" in the contest. The fact that
Mr.. Harding had a number of confer
ences with Charles p. Taft before al
lowing his name to be used, lent added
interest to his candidacy and there was
also report that Mr.. Harding was
not unfavorably regarded at Foraker
headquarters.
The expected return from Augusta,
Ga, today from General Wade H Ell
lis, who it is thought discussed the sit
nation in this state with President
elect Taft in detail offered wide range
of speculation as to what would be the
fruits of his mission. General Ellis,
Myron T. Herrick. Arthur L vorys.
Henry A. williams. chairman of the
state executive committee; Walter
Brown, chairman of the state central
committee, and others in the state or
ganizations are actively supporting Mr..
Taft.