The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-05-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.

at the Wnite House. congress has done
something and the Governors have made
speeches and listened TO speeches and
printed speeches. 1t has been decided to
make the Governors convention per.
manent with places of meeting in diff.
ferent cities. Washington, however, will
probably be selected as the place for an
annual rendezvous for it presents many
advantages, not to mention the supreme
one of meeting face to face the Congress
and influencing it to wise action in con-
i servation of resources.
| ~
Two weeks ago the departure of Secre-
tary of War Taft for Panama was regard
ed as curious If not suspicious maneu.
yer in the political field. Why should he
leave the country or abandon his cam
paign at crisis and time like this Ii
is probable that Secretary Taft's managers
and friends knew then what pretty nearly
everybody knows now that his nomination
is certain and his election a pretty sure
thing. Among the things of very recent
occurrence favoring these ends are:
The postponement by the Senate of the
Brownsville case until next December.
The abandonment by Senators opposed
to Roosevelt of their support of Fair
banks, Knox. Cannon or Hughes.
The Brownsville case being out of the
way the Republican Senators have no
longer bitter apple of discord but can
come together and harmony renewed
in the senate will doubtless be reflected
in every state, district and county.
1t is rumored that there has been deal
between the Foraker and Taft belligerants
by which Senator Foraker has secured
4 the promise>of return to the Senate in
consideration of his dropping the Brown
vile matter. That Taft has not been
directly party to deal will be granted
when it is remembered that he has been
in Panama. His alabi is known by
everybody. Senator Foraker says he
thinks he will gain more for the colored
soldiers by postponement or waiting until
another president is 10 the White House
than by pushing the matter now.
The fact is that Taft's nomination on
the first ballot is almost as certain as was
President Roosevelt's nomination four
year ago.
~
The Presidents preference for Secre-
tary Taft as his successor is notorious
He takes not the least trouble to conceal
it; IN fact he lets every one know that he
is unanimous for Taft. He believes that
through Taft's election to the Presidency
his policy with all that it implies will be
continued at least four years longer, and
that without his election there will be no
assurance against reaction. Secretary
Root, doubtless, if he could succeed the
President, would also effectually carry
out what are known as the Roosevelt
Policies, but notwithstanding his great
admiration for and confidence in Root he
knows that there is not the slightest
chance, and cannot be, of his nomination
There is story going the rounds that as
long ago as the 28th of March the Presi-
dent, speaking to group of friends, said
that Taft's nomination would be assured
within a month from that date; he pre-
dicted that Taft would get all the votes
west of the Mississippi river, with the
exception of perhaps few stragglers.
He predicted that he would get most Of
the Illinois delegation on the first ballot,
and at least one-half of the New York
delegation; that New England would be
largely for Taft; that Senator Aldrich
would work for Taft's nomination, and
that the socalled interests which hated
him (Roosevelt) so cordially. would be
found lined up for Taft because of the
fear that if they did not they would be
confronted with Roosevelt for another
term. The President explains ii this
way "This is their reasoning" said Mr.
Roosevelt I'VE won't have Taft, but if
we won't take Taft we will get Roosevelt,
so we will take Taft and they are not far
wrong" concluded the President. The
President's predictions are being borne
out with remarkable completeness.
There is the difference of few days as to
the time of. but everything is happening
as he foretold it would. The Presidents
critics find mysterious and sinister ex-
PLANTATION for the Governors Convention,
which has just concluded its sittipgs in
the White House. They claim that this
convention was shrewed political move
on the part of the President; that be got
the Governors together all of whom con-
slider themselves eligible to the presi-