The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-19
VICTORY At POLLS
PREDICTED BY TAFT
Republican Candidate De-
clareS Himself Confident
of Being Elected.
LEAVES ON A TOUR
OF EASTERN STATES
Held Important Conference With
President and Party Lead
ers Yesterday.

When oucEe taft left Washington
shortly after midnight this morning,
after an all-day conference at the White
House, his parting words were that he
would be elected President of the United
States on November next
The Republican candidate is absolute
" confident that he is now in the lead,
and that he cannot possibly be over
taken by William J. Bryan, despite all
reports regarding Republican losses in
the Northwest, and the serious trouble
being encountered in New York and
Ohio.
Having just wound up a flying trip
through the West and South, Judge
Taft was in a position to give an &C
count Of conditions in those sections TO
President Roosevelt and the other party
leaders assembled at the White House,
but he received in return a detailed &C
count of existing conditions in the East.
Among those who visited the White
House. at the request of President
Roosevelt 10 meet the candidate were
Secretaries Root, Cortelyou, and Car
field, Associate Justice Moody. Senator
Knox of Pennsylvania, John Hays
Hammond. president Of the League OF
Republican Clubs; Frederick n. Judsou,
formerly Assistant Attorney General;
Secretary Loeb. Gen. Robert Shaw OIL
yer, and Gen Clarence Edwards.
Conference Held.
a thorough discussion Of the campaign
was held after luncheon, all Of the WIS.,
itOrs participating at times. Judge left
declared that he believed his trip
through the South would prove benefi-
cial to future Republican candidates,
oil
for himself 1T Is good tillable
ground" said the former Secretary OF
War, and I expect 10 go down there
four years from now"
The candidate seemed somewhat wor-
ried about his voice, and because Of the
unusual strain put upon Il during the
past several weeks he has decided to
speak only at night while IN New York,
where his strength will be taxed more
than at any time during the campaign.
Judge Taft was reluctant to disclose
the nature Of his conversation with the
President, and he declared that the con-
ference with the party leaders was prin-
Cipally Of a reminiscent character. He
was not averse, however, TO making
some political predictions on his own
behalf. He said that ne had never en-
tertaincd any doubts as 20 where Mary
land stands in the Presidential election,
end he expressed himself as confident
OF his ability OF carrying Baltimore
. and the entire State
~ When Judge Taft reaches New York
he VIII speak from the same platform
with Governor Hughes, and it is be-
lieved that this arrangement will tend
to strengthen the weakened position of
the governor in the metropolis.
Today Judge Taft will speak in three
States, and tomorrow he Will devote his
attention 10 West Virginia, which at
present seems hopelessly torn by fac
tiOnal fights. On Wednesday, he Will
90 TO Cincinnati, where he will rest for
a few days before again taking the
stump in the East.
TOday's Program.
Today's program includes speeches at
Newark. Trenton. and Camden. n. J.,
this morning; Wilmington. Del. in the
afternoon, and at Baltimore tonight.
Many washington Republicans who
have not seen Judge Taft in action
since his nomination at Chicago viii go
10 Baltimore early this evening
Judge Taft arrived in Washington
before daybreak yesterday, but he did
not leave his private car until shortly
before $50 o'clock, when he drove 10
the Whife House 70 take breakfast
with President Roosevelt and his fam
lily. The President and the candida te
had an opportunity TO discuss the po-
lltical outlook privately until II was
time to go to church. They attended
services at the Unitarian Church, of
which Mr.. Taft has been a member ever
since he has been a resident Of WASH
ingtOn. After the services the Presi-
dent made brief call on the Baroness
Won Stcrlburg, at the German embassy.
joining Mr.. Taft at the White House
later when the political discussion was
continued until the President and Mrs.
Roosevelt went horseback riding, leav-
ing the genial candidate in undisputed
possession of the White House Several
personal friends of the candidate called
during the evening. His special train
left the Union Station shortly after
midnight.