New-York tribune., 1908-08-17
SOME CAMPAIGN VIEWS
IN LETTERS TO DIR. TAFT.
The "Uvaue of Radicalism 4nalyzed
Figures By States.
fRv Tel.rraph 10 The Tribune. ]


tended the Episcopal Church this morning and
spent the remainder of the day resting He was
accompanied TO church by Mrs Tart. the AS
sistan; Secretary of the Treasury and MrS-
Winthrop John Hays Hammond and Mrs
Hammond and Mr- VOrys Mr. Tart trans
acted no political business to-day; in fact ne
makes it a rule not to do so. and a Tough fire.
quently asked to make political appointments
on Sunday ne invariably declines
A great of mail reaches Judge Tafts
office each day. and while percentage is al
ways of the freak" variety, much OF IL pre-
sents information and material OF great inter-
est. Nor the advices all one way Tnereare
many earnest admirers Of the candidate who
believe that he has a hard campaign ahead OF
him. and that Bryan will make an exceptional
run Those who take this ground base
their conclusions on what they term "the wave
of extreme radcalism'' which they think is
sweeping the country. They point to the elec-
ton at the primaries Of Joseph L. Bristow. Of
Kansas to succeed Senator Long in the upper
house of Congress-: to the assured election Of
Coe l. Crawford. TO succeed Senator Kittredge.
of South Dakota; to the prospective election OF
Governor Cummins. to succeed Senator Allison'
TO the wide popularity of Senator La Toilette
and the fortune which he is making out Of his
radicaism the Chautauqua circuits, and from
these incidents they argue that the people do
not want safe and sane President but one Of
the most radical type.
BTIsTOw WITH TAFT.
There is reason for doubling the accuracy Of
their conclusions however and even their prem
ises For instance. Kansas, in sending to the
Senate Joseph L. Bristow. is not sending a tyro
to Washington, man who has been most
distinguished by platform newspaper advo-
cacy of reactonary doctrines. On the contrary,
Mr. Bristow. occupying the somewhat incon-
cpjoY,o Of ASST ant
ter General arose to fame through his devotion
TO a most unpleasant duty. the fidelity and
thoroughness with which he ferreted out dishon-
esty and graft in the Postoffce Department,
and the absolute confidence OF the Roosevelt
administration which he earned purely by
merit. Moreover not only did President Roose-
welt commend Mr.. Bristow's ability and integrity
in the highest terms. but when he resigned from
the Postoffice Department he Immediately
retained by Secretary Taft TO conduct somewhat
delicate Investigations of conditions attending
the transportation problems connected with -he
Panama Railway, and in turn was commended
by the Secretary for the character and fearless
ness of his work. In selecting Mr.. BrstOw TO
represent them in the Senate. therefore, the peo-
pie of Kansas have chosen trained in the
school of Republican policies. and if he be rad1-
cal he is also a man of such sincerity and
| singleness Of purpose that, aside from those
members of Congress whom some of his Off
ciaI reports reflected. those who know him ex-
| pect him develop into useful and a progress
sive member Of the Senate. and~one who will be ;
! in complete sympathy with the White House
| during Mr. Tafts administration
So, too. in the OF Governor Cumnins
| there is reason to expect that there will be
no friction between the progressive Iowa states
man and the White House with Mr.. Taft as
I ITS occupant In nominating Judge Taft as its
! standard bearer tEe Republican party did not
| chose a member of that intense stand pat
| faction Of which Senator Allison was proni-
nent although not an extrens member Gov
crnor Cummins is ardent advocate of tariff
| rc vision. That is a policy In which President
Roosevelt has for some time believed and
| 20 which Mr. Taft and the Republican party
by its national platform stand committed Fac
tionalism in state parties leads to gross ex-
aggeration of the policies of the opposing lead
ers. but 1t is doubtful if the country at large
| will regard Governor Cummins extremist.
and 1t cannot be denied that he will come 10 the
Senate fortified by long experience as chief ex-
ecutive of one of the most prosperous states
Of the Union,
CRAWFORD NOT DANGEROUS.
In the case of Governor Crawford he is. while
not so we'll known reputed to be extreme
radical But his selection cannot be adjudged
as rejecting the sentiment Of the people Of his
state without taking into consideration some
| nf the incidents which preceded and caused IL.
Senator Kittredge never a brilliant or particu-
Iarlv useful member of the Senate, made the
error of ouarrelling with his colleague. Senator
Gamble and in the factiona1 fight which fol-
lowed Mr. Gamble was victorious He 1t was
who guided the choice of the people OF his state
I'm the interest of Governor Crawford, and those
who are N a position to know declare that IL
was the Judgment of Mr. Gamble. never re-
markabie for the radicalism Of his views
rather than any change in the sentiment OF
the Republicans Of South Dakota which is re-
sp.nsibIe for Mr. Crawford's success
In the case of a sister state, North Dakota.
the situation has been practically reversed
Senator Hansbrough has been defeated by the
national committeeman. Alexander Mckenzie.
and Senator McCun1ber. who represent the ex-
treme conservative faction in the state while
Mr. Hansbrough lost Mr.. McKenzies support
bv his advocacy of a primary law permitting
popular vote for Senators and by supporting
the Roosevelt administration IN the railway rate
| fight All OF these facts are pointed out IN the
| complex correspondence which flows steadily
| into the Taft headquarters and whatever may
be the ultimate decision of Eastern readers they
/ are facts which must be given consideration pc
| fore accurate conclusions be reached
| II is true that Senator La Toilette is accu-
| mulating fortune the lecture platform. but
| il is equally fact that those most familiar
| with NJ La Toilette his style OF delivery and
/ his methods of reasoning declare that he missed
| his vocation when he overlooked his histrionic
| abilities and chose the political insteaC OF the
! dramatic stage and the interest and curiosity
| which lead thousands purchase admission -
| his entertainments are not necessarily Indicative