Evening journal., 1908-02-18
Taft and Delaware.

Editor THE EVENING JOURNAL
The Sussex Republican manifests
some discomfort over the part to be
taken by Delaware in the selection Of
the Republican candidate for Presi-
dent at Chicago in June next. 1t takes
umbrage at the Milford Grange, adopt
ing resolution, endorsing Secretary
Taft and demanding that Delaware
send a delegation pledged in favor of
the Secretary of War. The Republi-
can more than intimates that this is
dangerously partisan politics." that it
is playing into the hands of men whom
it seems to think are not only design
ing politicians. but dangerous men.
Curiously enough, however, while
whacking at the Changers for giving
their expression to a desire that the
support of Delaware for Taft shall be
real and not sham. the Republican also
goes on to say that, these politicians
know very well that there is no OPP
position to Taft in Delaware. and that
any effort made by them is only an
attempt to gain favor with the Ma
tional Administration; either of these
politicians would be quick to support
Knox, Hughes, Fairbanks or Cannon If
they could advance their political
fortunes thereby" The Republican
further proceeds to instruct the Grange
that its members are more interested
that paying profitable prices for their
products should be maintained, than
they are in booming Taft, and in re-
storing rather than dissipating the
business confidence which it says is
now lacking
Lastly the Republican comes out
plainly with its real views and says,
1T IS the Roosevelt advocacy that
weakens Taft in the estimation of the
business world"
Really we would like to know, and
we think that the people of Delaware,
both Republicans and Democrats
would. like to know just where the
Sussex Republican. and those for
whom It so intelligently and ably
speaks in its editorial columns week
after week. stand in their choice for
the candidate for Presidency, and what
part they actually want the delegation
from Delaware to take in that trans
action and in the making of that
nomination. Senator Richardson de-
clared himself in favor of Senator
Knox as the candidate. and it was the
general understanding here in VII
mington that the friends of the SEN
ators and the members Of the organi-
cation which they control. were favor
able to the candidacy Of Senator Knox.
This has. however, been qualified by
the announcement by Senator DUPONT
tnN 4. L.. -
tary Taft. though not 20 the strenuous
extent of the delegates being instruct
ed for him. but leaving them free TO
give Taft such support as might be
found practicable or advantageous
when the time comes to vote.
Such utterances of newspapers and
Senators have a more than tepid in
terest lent to them when we consider
the great fight that is now on in the
United States between those who favor
and those who are opposed TO the poll
cies of the present administration. One
has only TO read the columns of the
metropolitan press Of New York and
other papers throughout the country.
as well as listen 20 individuals in con-
versation here and there. to know that
Familiarity known as "Wall street." are
bitterly hostile TO President Roosevelt,
and the great measures which have
been adopted in legislation by Congress
and put in force by him in administra-
ton in bringing under the reign Of law
the vast interstate railway system Of
the country and the monopolies ana
trusts which have grown up under re-
bates and determinations granted 20
them by the railroads.
To-day Secretary Taft stands as a
candidate for the Presidency as the
representative Of the administration,
ami for the maintenance and extension
Of its policies. We do not say that SEN
ator Knox and Governor Hughes are
not also faithful representatives Of tie
Roosevelt policies but the enemies Of
these policies. the powerful interests in
the world Of railroads, monopolies and
finance. who have been curbed thereby
in fair desperation. will grasp at the
support Of even Knox and Hughes in
their effort TO control the organization
of the Republican party and as far as
thew can. the control over Congress
and the President. in their desire TO
make effective war against these poll
cies.
The scarcely ambiguous attitude of the
Sussex Republican as shown by its
editorial and the variant utterances Of
those for whom IL speaks, raise the
suspicion that It and its friends avOw-
eddy hostile to Roosevelt, are willing
10 stand in with the Presidents
enemies and the forces over whom he
has triumphed. to defeat Secretary
Taft. and check in the next administra-
ton the continuance OF the policies Of
the present administration. Their anx-
iety to express a preference for Taft