The Washington herald., 1908-06-17
AT THE HOTELS.

After Ill. l don't believe the country
would be greatly surprised IL the Repub-
lican convention should turn around and
nominate President Roosevelt once more,
in spite Of the array Of figures now ex-
hibited for Taft" said James E. Tomp-
kins. Of Butte, Mont. at the New VIII
lard last night
The politicians would naturally be
somewhat taken aback and chagrined. as
would many other people who have It all
summed up that Secretary Taft couldn't
be beaten with a sledge hammer: but, out
side OF those persons and some who write
political news. no one would be partieu-
larly amazed.
The politicians are more or less con-
WINGED by the number Of delegates to the
convention pledged for Mr.. Taft, while
the writer's. as a rule. are won over by
these same figures and by the opinions
OF the politicians; consequently both sets
OF men may be easily fooled by the people
themselves.
Certainly the people are not naming
the next candidate, but the delegates to
that convention are not yet ready to for
get that when all the shouting is over
they must go back to their homes TO face
the people.
Roosevelt sentiment is TO be found all
through the West, and In many unex-
pected quarters in the East. even IN New
York State. popularity supposed 20 be the
domicile Of Wall street and Mr. Roose-
velts most bitter enemies.
Even some Of the politicians must be
aware that there Is only one man who
stands an overwhelming show 70 win out
next fall over William Jennings Bryan.
and that man is the President II IS all
very well TO say that Mr.. Taft can swing
into line the voters Of the old days. but
it is a great question as 10 whether OF
not he can really do II.
Mr.. Bryan will surely be the nominee
OF the Democratic party. unless Mr..
Roosevelt is selected by the opposition.
and then It is possible he viii take the
nomination. since there can be no other
man who would stand any show at all
before the President. who has become
the idol OF the American people in few
years
Unless Mr. Roosevelt does take the
nomination this country is bound 70 see
a campaign not equaled in many years
because Il has aroused the interest OF
more people. and there are more voting
men who want 20 register their beliefs
by the ballot than there have been in
many past campaigns which have follow
ed the times Of prosperity or do-noth-
| ingness."
The story from Chicago that the Re
publican convention cheered for ten min
utes when the Presidents name was men
| toned reminds me OF a test 70 which a.
boy witness was once put in a case that
was trying years ago." said r. F.
Hoster Of Pittsburg. at the Arlington.
last night
Ten minutes counted out, YOU know. is
a long time. a very long time and un-
less you hold a watch It is mighty hard
10 guage the passage Of the seconds ac-
| curately
The boy 10 whom I refer was an i'm
portant witness in a murder case, in
fact. he was the son OF a woman who
was killed. supposedly by a certain man.
| who was. Of course. the defendant in this
case
The chain Of evidence was about COM
plete. except that this boy had seemingly
been present all the evening. with the
/ exception. possibly OF a minute or two.
In which the crime had apparently been
committed All indications. however.
pointed TO the lapse Of about ten min
utes, during which the person who com
mitted the deed was alone with the
| woman.
AT last the boy was called 10 the
| stand and requested TO account for the
time which he had previously said he had
spent out Of the house. When questioned
he said that he had gone out 10 draw a
bucket Of water from the well After
more questioning. he increased the time
Of his absence. and admitted that il was
Just about ten minutes
well. 10 prove his story It was decided
that he should be timed for ten minutes.
so every one was made 10 keep silent
while a watch was held on the boy and
the seconds reeled or, while the court
. room hung expectant. all realizing that
the event OF the test would be momentous.
AT last the boy. after what seemed g
week, or at least several days. remarked
10 the Judge:
Wei. I guess I've got the water about
drawed'
IT lacked just about twenty seconds Of
the ten minutes"
For a city that IS on a great river.
Washington seems 10 take less interest
in aquatic sports and amusements than
most big communities in the country, .
said Frank c. Droop. Of New York, al
the National last night
The Potomac is not surpassed by many
rivers in the country surely not by any
that are At for pleasure purposes in the
scenery that crowds its bankss below the
= Capital; yet, the people DO not seem tC
enjoy it TO such extent as they should.
New York lives half on the water
the other half by it. in summer. at least
on summer nights. Chicago IS iOnd OF
its lake front. as is nearly every other
city on a BODY OF water worthy Of the
name. Washington does take some pleas
ure in its river. but not enough &c be
noticeable 10 strangers.
1T is doubly strange. for the reason
that Washington is a prosperous city, az
all times comparatively wealthy, since the
majority Of it's population have good and
steady incomes. and since its workers DC
not have the longer hours OF the COM
mercial centers.
But for some unknown reasons. the
people here do not turn out nightly 70 get
the breezes Of the open water. Perhaps
they all prefer baseball or tennis, or, per-
haps. outings on the waters Of the Po-
tomac are not appreciated"
Il think that if there is one man who Is
ENJOYING the Chicago convention to q
superlative degree. it is Charles P. Taft