New-York tribune., 1908-12-30
THE OHIO SITUATION
TAFT ALONE FOR CAUCUS.
Contest for Senator Probably WM
Go to Floor of Legislature.

Columbus. Ohio Dec. 2s.-The prospect Of set
tIenlent hy caucus this week Of the Senatorial
contest that is stirring Ohio have few political
events in recent years was seriously diminished
-o-nirht when CONGRESSMAN Theodore E Burton
announced that he opposed TO the plan OF
bringing the Republican members II the Leslsia-
turs together in joint conferences on SATURDAY
next.
Tho s,,,or.s-. of Charles P Taft demanded
last night that caucus be held Saturday. foi-
lowing the separate caucuses OF state SENATORS
and Representatives TO choose legislative o1ncers'
and Taft adhsrents circulating peullon 20
that end Mr. Burton let 1t be known to-day that
he is entirely satisfied with the progress OF nus
campaign and that he is not convinced OF the
necessity OF imposing choice on the ieslsisuSe
leaders tan days in advance OF the time set iOI
the Senatorial be1oting TO begin -
Senator Foraker has already announced hirnseil
as opposed to caucus and General J. warren
Keifer another candidate for Senator mas a4so
taken opposing position, thus leaving the taA'
supporters almost alone IN their demand Mr
Burton has not said that he would oppose &
caucus time next week. after tne Iheil1De ~
are in. though 1t seems dounuui nov ma
a decisive conference VIII be held at any unle'
More than ever tonight II seems that the con-
test is TO TO the fooE Of the Legislature
and this OF affairs is parucoeA-ly pleasiHk 10
Senator Foraker, whose attitude OF silence has
been somewhat disconcertns to his oPonents
Senator Foraker has declared himself IN the nsnI
to win; and although he is credited with holding
only from eight twelve Of the ninety-one Ke-
publican votes joint ballot, his adnerenIs oe-
clare he Is BY no means eliminated from the race
Senator Foraker continues to deny that ne VIII
receive Democratic support, and says democrats
nav vote for any one Of the other candidates out
not for him The Foraker forces say that the
Senatorial ultimately will resolve itself INTO
q choice between Senator Foraker and Mr.. Burton
There is also much talk Of Senator Foraker ;
throwing his strength TO Mr. Burton in case the
fight narrows down to the Cleveland Congressman
and the brother Of the Prestdent-elect This talk
is based largely the belief that Senator Fora
ker is planning to make his real fight for another
term IN the Senate two years hence. when sue
cessor TO Senator Charles Dick is to De chosen
Czeozra aphical considerations have great deal 10
do with the choice Of United States Senators IN
Ohio the northern and the southern end OF the
each claiming the privilege OF naming rep
resent tative in the upper branch or congress AIi7
election of Mr. Burton from Cleveland would leave
the field clear for q southern man IN ISL me
election of Mr. Taft would make It almost an I'M
possibility for Mr.. Foraker to run two years hence
both being residents Of Cincinnati
The geographical condition deeply affects Senator
Dick and his coming 70 Columbus to look after mis-
own interests has been eagerly awaited ne was
expected early to-day and again in the AFTERNOON
hut had not arrived when the Taft Burton anu
Foraker Headquarters were closed for the day
Senator Dick. who halls from Akron, is canoldAte
for another term and as a matter OF geosf1pAiC0
convenience he is said be opposed TO the cnolce
OF a Northern Ohio man at this time hence Lno
rival than were those of Nj Burton
The real situation seems be that none OF the
candidates controls this time a SUFFICIENT NUM-
Der Of votes and that the senatorshiP Is far from
settled There are many observers who are LOOK
ing fr ward to q long fight IN the Legislature u1
less unexpected developments should entlrely
change the present complexion Of things IN Lle
event Of a deadlock there would be chance for
& compromise some one OF the less prolh-ieN'
candidates and this possibility is keeping NUM-
Der OF them in the race Warren u F1aruIls' 10
ruer Lieutenant Governor. was formally Drought
forward as candidate tonight
Nj Burton to-day said he was conndent Pop1-
lar vote would elect him He said that test VoI9
had been brought him from various counties III
the state and these reported TO MI BUT
ton show an overvh heIuing sentiment in MS faVoF-
NFa5ns County for instance showed the following
returns: Burton 4s2: Foraker, T. Governor HarTls'
4 Taft 4: Harry Daughsrty, l. In ali the poI-
given out at Burton's headquarters Senator ForA-
xe- "a shown as second choice.
Mr. Taft's managers professed no interest IN Ihe
straw ballots and declared they could SEND men
in+o +hA field 70 obtain entirely different nsures
Mr Taft himself is snilingly confident he -
,scksd bv what is known as the Ohio state ma
obire which includes National Committeeman
Ar4i71r 7 Vorvs who W H Tafts chier OF
.+stf,, IN the Presidential campaign; Henry A
Williams chairman the state executive commit
rec and Walter Brown, chairman OF the state CEN
traI committee
The Legislature meets on Monday January = =
and the first ballot for United States Senator viii
be taken on Tuesday, January u