The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-02-20
TURNING TO TAFT
Secretary Gaining Everywhere-At-
tack Made on Him in this State, and
Some Comments on the Subject.

The time when Kentucky must
choose her candidate for President
is near at hand and interest in
Judge Taft, the probable choice is
becoming greater. There is little evil
dence of anything except Taft senti-
ment any where among the people,
but some of the professional politi-
clans think they see a chance for
themselves in boosting Fairbanks.
Rich men are trying to beat Taft
and Roosevelt, you know.
There seems to be no doubt that
Taft will sweep the country and
there Is no reason why Kentucky
should be on the losing side. Wash
ington politicians concede that he is
sure to win, and there is now good
ground for believing that he can be
nominated on the first ballot.
The following editorial from the
Lexington Leader expresses so we'll
the attitude which this State should
take that The Citizen copies it:
Kentucky Republicans will be callel
upon to choose between the sons of
two neighboring States in determin-
ing their presidential preferences and
selecting delegates to the National
Convention which meets in Chi
cago next June, Vice-President Fair
banks, of Indiana, and Secretary of
War Taft, of Ohio.
There is a kindly feeling among
the Republicans of the Old Common
wealth for their neighborS Of the
Hoosier State, who have given asylum
to several of the political refugees
who have been driven out of Ken
lucky by the executive and judicial
tyranny of the last eight years. This
sentiment which does credit to the
hearts of Kentuckians. led to an
early declaration of not a few Ken
tuckians for lndlana's distinguished
son for the Presidency and under
ordinary old time political conditions
we have little doubt that the party
generally throughout the State would
have been willing to see their del
egates vote for Mr.. Fairbanks.
The situation is unusual, however,
and the Republicans of Kentucky
must consider other things than
sentiment. The problems of Pres
ident Roosevelt's administration are
the issues upon which the Republican
party must appeal 20 the country,
and any wavering or turning back
means overwhelming defeat in No
vember beyond shadow of a doubt.
The district and State conventions
must blaze the way so that when the
National Convention meets there will
be no question of how it stands or
whom it will nominate.
There is undoubtedly a strong re-
dictionary element in the Republican
party that would turn back from the
course mapped out by Roosevelt and
undo all that the administration has
done to curb the power of predatory
wealth, bring incorporated law break
ers to the bar of justice and secure
a square deal to all the people. This
corporation element scarcely conceals
the fact that it would prefer the tri-
umph OF Bryan and the Democratic
party to the continuation of the Roo
sevelt policies, depending upon Re-
publican senate. in which it is strong
ly intrenched, to restrain Bryan more
effectually than 1t can a Republican
in the White House pledged to the
continuation of progressive policies.
The candidacy of Judge Taft upon
a progressive platform. supporting
the Roosevelt policies, has arrayed
the entire reactionary element
against him and the plan of campaign
is to run "favorite son" candidates
in as many states as possible to keep
them from going for Taft on the
ground OF local pride Mr.. Fairbanks
was a candidate for President in
good faith before this program of the
reactionaries took shape but he has
failed to develop a strong support
anywhere outside of Indiana, taking
no account of the sentimental feel
ing for him among Kentucky Repub-
licans and his candidacy is now gem
orally accepted as fitting happily in
to the "favorite son" movement by
which In Llama. Illinois, Pennsylvania
and New York are to be kept out of
the Taft column and used as a bases
for common warfare against the pro-
gressive element throughout the
country.
Vice-President Fairbanks has made
a clean, dignified campaign for the
Presidency, during the last four years.
and has been recognized as a Presi-
Dental candidate ever since the Nc
Kinley administration. His corpora
ton connections of a busy career at
lcsntinueA en- sixth PAeel