The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1908-06-17
BURNING WORDS
OF PARTY ORGAN
Censuring the Actions of
Its Alleged Leaders.
HOPELESS REPUBLICAN VIEW
In Kentucky, Says Big Re-
publican Paper, and 1t
Tells Why.

tOremOS. RepuDlcan papers III the
South las. week had the following on
the political situation, and the dsmor-
allied condition of lis own party:
No one can deny now that Secretary
Taft holds a winning hand, one tina,
under all ordinary circumstances will
take any trick chat the cards may
combine to present. His control of
the National Committee has resulted
in the withdrawal of all the contests,
and the certainty OF seating every
delegate numbered among the sup
porters in the temporary organization
Of The convention.
But there are some hands that it is
dar gerous for any man, however ex-
pert, to hold in a game. When a
players strength lies in having more
aces than can be found in the ortho-
dox deck the discovery of this fact
by his opponents Is apt to recoil up
on him to his hurt. 1t appears as if
the kind of hand that Taft is
expecting to carry Chicago with, and
probability is that in the convention
it will go through without being call
ed. What We fear is the effect that
is now being produced on the voters
throughout the county, who at this
stage of the proceedings are simply
interested spectators, but later will
have a share in the game themselves.
Until the last week we believed that
the Republican party with Taft for
it's leader had a walk-over at the ap-
preaching election. To-day We find
our confidence somewhat shaken. The
Secretary of War is asking his friends
to bear a heavy burden in the coming
fight; he is handicapping them by
the pursuit of methods needlessly
fragrant and raw. The acts of the
present will have to be faced in the
future.
AS soon as Chicago completes its
work, and Mr.. Taft reaps the reward
Of Hitchcock's none too scrupulous
methods, the Democrats will raise
the cry that the Republican nominee
is the choice Of the Federal machine,
that he secured his delegated support
by fraud, and was afraid to have an
honest hearing OF the contests aris-
Ing out of these frauds before an
impartial committee It Is this form
of attack, too well substantiated by
facts, that the Republican press and
platform will have to fight.
Here in Louisville we have no de-
Tense to offer We know that in the
Fifth District Mr.. Taft's workers vio-
lated every principle of fairness and
decency. We are told that in other
parts of the State matters were little
more creditable. The unfortunate as
pect of the whole thing is that the
treatment accorded the contestants at
Chicago has ruined every prospect, of
bridging over the gulf and uniting
the several factions of the party in
Kentucky.
Had there been any sembance of
desire to play the game fairly, in
stead of with loaded dice, good hope
might have been entertained of rally
ing the forces in this State and hold
ing them for Taft, because of the
faith in his personal magnanimity and
loyalty to the square deal principle;
but now that Bradley, the leader of
the Taft opposition in Kentucky has
been selected to fight the battle of
the allies on the floor of The conven-
ton, the split will be widened be-
yond the point where it can easily
be overcome.
The Bradley following in this State
is no inconsiderable portion of the
Republican party. Since the former
Governor has been forced by Hitch
cocks tdc,ics % take his c,se in o the
conven ON, il is hardly 20 be exp ated
that in ne els uing campaign n will
be found advocating the cause OF the
man whose chief agent made a fair
hearing impossible before the National
Committee. The silence of Bradley
will be a significant factor in The
figh, and will not contribute 20 the
winning of the Safe for The Rspub-
leans.
about all hat is left in Kentucky
for honest Republicans to do is 10 |
wage wsr agains. Organism and the |
reconstructed Democratic machine. We
regret that the cause of our leader has
been robbed of its glory. We regret |
that the united ranks of the party |
cannot rejoice in flinging his name
ana his principles in the teeth of the
enemy with defiant challenge. 1t takes
the spirit out of the conflict when the |
soldiers have lost faith in their com
mander. But nevertheless it remains
the duty of Republicans to defeat the !