The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-12
Opposition to Taft Is Disposed
to Help Nominate Him
In Order to Head Off Possible
Third Term Stampede.
LOSS OF THE HOUSE
Also Is Feared in Case of q Big
Convention Fight.
Plan to Take Care of Most of
the Other Candidates.

washington. May 12.-Republican
leaders In congress are now working
earnestly ON plan to prevent any
break at the Chicago convention thar
might disrupt harmony and endanrer
success at the polls in November. Com
Ierences have been held at both ends
OF the capitol among such men as SEN
ators Aldrlch, Hale. Allison and Crane
ana Representatives Payne and Sher-
man OF New York, Tawney of Mime
sofa, jenkins Of Wisconsin, and Smith
OF Iowa In fact meetings of xmal
groups from this list have been of al
most daily occurrence for more than
a week. They have been directed to
one end-a nomination on the first bal
lot OF william II. Taft. While no
dennlte result has been reached they
believe their. efforts will be successful
MOST OF the men figuring prominent-
ly In this movement were numbered
against Taft early in the campaign but
party policy and the necessity for har-
mony, winch has been manifested on
the Republican ranks since the disas-
trous results of the Blaine-Conkling
feud has awakened demand that per-
sonal desires be subordinated to the
will of the majority. That the effort
OF the group of leaders back of the
harmony movement have not been bar
rem OF results is indicated by the fact
that to number of the conferences
have been called such men as Senators
demenway, Penrose, Cullom, Hopkins
and Depew and Representatives Par
sons and Vreeland of New York, Bou-
tell and Mann of Illinois, Burke and
Dalzeil of Pennsylvania, Watson and
Lands Of Indiana and others who are
backing the candidacy of Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks, Speaker Cannon, Sem
ator Knox or Governor Hughes.
No attempt was made to disguise the
fact that the real impetus to such
concerted movement in the interest of
Secretary Taft is the refusal of
Roosevelt sentiment to be snuffed out
and the danger of such sentiment
| spreading to an extent that might be
difficult Of control at Chicago At the
same time it is said the movement is
not hostile to President Roosevelt who
admittedly occupies the position Of
| command in the Taft forces. He has
can come of the renewed calls for lfs
denomination which have been made in
Texas, Utah and California as he Is
prepared to reject any proffer of sup
| port no matter how extended.
The uttermost limit of endeavor of
| the Republican leaders who are striv-
| ing to harmonize party differences is tu
eliminate ali candidates for the nomi-
nation except Secretary Taft. but 1t
is not anticipated that all of the can
position. Supporters of Senator Knox
particularly are said to oppose the plan
and one of the other candidates is hold
ing out so strongly that there is no
the same time there are leaders in
Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and
New York who are parties to the
movement with the knowledge of the
favorite son candidates from those
states.
The selection of Secretary Taft as
the beneficiary of harmony action Is
made because of the fact that he is
the only candidate who has sufficient
| instructed votes to promise an early
nomination. The argument of the
| harmony faction is that if Taft should
| fail to secure the nomination on the,
! first ballot and the allies were able to
| hold out against him, it would mean
| a convention contest of many ballots
| These leaders have little doubt that in
such a contingency the Roosevelt
| third term sentiment would threaten
a stampede and though they have III
| tie doubt that the president would not
hesitate to squelch any proposition
! looking to his denomination. the effect.
| of such a stampede can only be sur
| missed The possible dire results upon
the campaign for the election OF; the
candidate, whoever he may be, is one
of the arguments used to draw the So,
called allies into the harmony pro-
gramme.
Republican leaders concede that
their majority in the house is likely to.
be materially reduced at the fall elec-
| tion and they fear that unless all fac
tions are brought together before the
| Chicago convention they might lose
| their majority altogether. One of the
| side plans being discussed ravorably Is
| the denomination of Fairbanks as vice
president on the ticket with Secretary
| Taft which, they assert, would remove
Indiana from the doubtful column
| and make it safely Republican. 1t is
believed also that with the Republic
| can forces solidly aligned, Secretary
| Taft would easily carry Illinois. The
| thermometers are willing to concede
Cannon's reelection as speaker by
Republican house. There is a move
| ment on already to bring about the
denomination of Mr.. Hughes as gov
I ernor of New York and an effort will
/ be made to bring Secretary Taft and
Senator Foraker together. which 1t is
| thought, would make Ohio safe.
| No efforts have been spared to keep
these plans confidential but there are
| too many persons cognizant of the
! prorramrne for secrecy to be main
| tanned Frank H. Hitchcock, who Is
| the Taft manager in Washington and
| is directing the greater part of the
secretary's national campaign. has
had numerous conferences with
various Republican leaders interested
| in the programme and United States
| District Attorney Jos. b. Healing of
| indianapolis, political manager for
/ Mr. Fairbanks, has been in Washing
| ton several times recently and mas
| conferred with the same leaders.