New-York tribune., 1908-05-06
SURE TAFT WILL WIN
PRESIDENT is CONFIDENT.
Inactire on uTice-President-4mus6d
by irresponsible attacks.
from The Tribune Bureau J


WASHINGTON, May 5.-Persons who have dis
cussed politics with the President recently de-
clare that he is not only absolutely confident OF
the nomination of Secretary Taft at Chicago. but
that he is equally confident that the Secretary
will be elected; that Mr.. Roosevelt has even
described the election Of Mr. Taft l 70 100
shot II is the belief OF the Executive that not
a single vote will be cast for himself in the
Chicago convention 1t is probable that the
Utah delegation will be instructed to vote for
Theodore Roosevelt. but in the opinion OF the
President long before the name OF Utah is called
in the roll OF states Secretary Taft Will have re-
ceived between 500 and $50 votes. more than
enough TO nominate. and he thinks that before
the ballot is announced all the other states IN
Guiding those with "favorfte sons VIII have re-
quested that their vote be altered so that the
nomination will be made by accIamatiou-
II is further asserted on the best OF authority
that the President. while delighted with the
success which has attended the candidacy OF
the man whom ne regards as above all others
fitted for the place. and in most completes
sympathy with the policies for which ne has
stood. is doing absolutely nothing which can af-
feet the selection OF the Vice-Presdentlal can
didate and is not even discussing the merits or
dement's Of the men whose names have been
suggested as good running mates 70 Mr. Taft-
Neither is the President doing anything toward
influencing the details OF the convention the Sc
lection of temporary officials, etc He IS per-
fectIy satisfied 10 leave these matters 20 the
rtv leaders confident that they viii exhibit
the utmost wisdom in making their choices
There have been intimations in some quarters
10 the effect that the President had written this
or that message to Congress. made this or that
appointment Wiz. view to promoting his own
popularity and even 10 preciDitating a stamPede
for him at Chicago. but such intInaIlOns come
entirely from irresponsible sources, and they
afford the President no little amusement as evil
dences Of the chagrin Of those who AZ heart
hate his poIicfes and Who ind themselves 50
badly defeated in their efforts 10 checkmats
them that such sagacity as they normally ENJOY
= leaving them The idea that Mr.. Roosevelt q
conducting a deep dark intrigue 70 obtain a
nomination which he could get by merely
gesture of assent which. indeed he would have
had had he not put his shoulder 10 the "heeI
and insisted that il must go elsewhere does not
anneaI strongly 10 men Who are really familiar
with the situation and especially the inner
workings of the party and 10 the President.
whose methods are always the most direct pos
sibIe the idea presents merely a specimen Of the
extraordinary vagaries possible 10 the human
mind
one Of the most determined advocates 'f ths
nomination Of the President has been Coionei
Cecil Lyons. of Texas. and 1t has been Only 'y
reculfarIv delicate handling and the exercise OF
+ra utmost diplomacy that colonel Lyons mas
baar led 10 see that Mr. Roosevelt could not a.
ren- another nomination. But eveR-~t'sst- -nas
been ACCOMPLISHED. with the result that COionei
LYONS will cast the solid vote of Texas Tor the
Secretary of War.