Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-02-18
Tells Burkett and Hammond He Must
Not Be Considered.
NEBRASKA SHOULD BE FOR TAFT
Congressman Pollard Says President
Used Same Language to Him.
FIELD AGAINST THE sECRErAIY
Opponents of Roosevelt Seek 90 Sc
cure Large state DELEGATIONS
Through the Booming
of FavOrite Sons.
(From a Staff correspondent.) }

Z
| WASHINGTON. Feb. H-(special Tele-
gram.)-Hardly had news OF Ross L. Ham.
mords selection for collector Of internal
revenue been noised about on Saturday
when out of his secluslon Mr.. Hammond ap-
peared In Washington and registered at tho
Raleigh. When Mr. Hammond went away
from Washington, which has been his head
quarters for the last three weeks or month.
he made his headquarters at the National.
but with good fat job in sight he thought
that it warranted moving a peg higher up
on Pennsylvania avenue. for the National
is at Sixth and Pennsylvania avenue and
the Raleigh is six blocks nearer the Treas
ury department and as 1t is with the
Treasury department that Mr.. Hammond
will have to deal hereafter, he probably
! thought It the part of wisdom to get as
near the commissioner OF internal revenue
as possible.
This morning Ser ator Burkett presented
the collector-to-be to the president and in
stead of a perfunctory interview, which is
generally accorded candidates for office, be-
cause the president has not hours enough
in the day to give an extended interview to
his numberless callers he took the senior
senator from Nebraska and Mr. Hammond
into an inner room, where Nebraska politics
were discussed to a fare-you-well. The
president bore down upon the proposition
that Nebraska must be lined up for secro-
tary Taft and was emphatic in his declara-
tion that he must not be considered In con
junction with the presidency. This. in re-
lation to the action OF Lancaster county
last week. He left no doubt upon the minds
of Senator Burkett or Mr. Hammond as
to his wishes for Nebraska and he requested
the two gentlemen to see to It that Me-
braska send a delegation unqualifiedly in
favor of Secretary Taft to the national
convention.
At the termination OF the interview with
the president, Senator Burkett presented
Mr.. Hammond to Commissioner of Internal
Revenue Capers This DONE the Fremont
man paid his respects TO the members of
the Nebraska delegation and left this after
noon for home with $500 year job as a
result of his visit to Washington. It is ex-
pected that Mr.. Hammond's name win be
sent to the senate tomorrow.
What President Desires.
Congressman Pollard was at the White
house this morning and held a long confer
ence with the president. On being asked
what he had to say concerning the action
Of the Lancaster county convention in in
structing for President Roosevelt for a
third term Mr.. Pollard replied:
IT have just read full account Of the
convention. It seems that the supporters
OF the present administration are divided
between the president and his secretary Of
war, Mr.. Taft. Under existing circum-
stances it seems to me there ought to be no
question as to the attitude Of the party m
Nebraska. 1 have talked with the presi-
dent many times about the presidential
situation and have repeatedly urged him
to simply remain inactive and that the
country would unquestionably renominate
him. He has invariably and repeatedly
| said that his published statement immedi.
ately after his election three years ago,
which was recently repeated. expresses his
position clearly and honestly and that no
| trusted the party would accept his state
ment without. question. From my CONVEX
sations with the president am convinced
that under no circumstances will he accept
the denomination for a third term. He Is
very strongly OF the opinion that the pre-
cedent established by George Washington
at the expiration Of his second term ought
not to be set aside.
"The president has repeatedly told me
that his only desire was that the repub-
lican nominated to succeed him should
be man thoroughly in sympathy with
his administration and that the policies
he has inaugurated should be prosecuted
vigorously until finally written into law
Secretary Taft has been the Presidents
closest adviser and counsellor. He has
contributed more than any other man in
the cabinet TO the success of the Rooss-
welt administration--in fact he is part
of 1t. The president hiss a wider ac-
quaintance among public men than any
man in official life today He is In a bet
ter position TO judge as TO who is best
! capable of perpetuating the policies OF
his administration than anyone else. The
fact that President Roosevelt is giving
his faithful support to Secretary Taft
and his repeated declination to become a
candidate for denomination ought to be
| sufficient for all those who are at heart
in favor of the reforms ne advocates.
Field Against Taft.
IF 1 thought the president would ac-
cept a nomination for a third term 1
would be most heartily in favor of his
denomination. Being convinced in my own
mind, however, that he will not, l think
It is bad policy for those who believe
in the president to comPlicate the situa-
tion by sending an Instructed delegation
to the Chicago convention for him. A
careful study OF the situation here in
Washington convinces me that there Is
a determined effort being made to NOM
mate an tra-conservatiVe or reactionary
candidate. Nearly all those states that
have a large representation in the ma
tional convention have favorite sons whom
they will support for the presidency. The
one making the best showing will likely
receive the support Of the others. In
view of the fact that the field is united
against Mr.. Taft, who alone stands for
a continuation Of the policies of the pres
ident. It seems to me that all the friends
Of the administration ought to rally TO The
support OF Secretary Taft"
Bill for ResHrvey.
Representative Kinkaid has secured the
passage through the house of his bill pro-
viding for a resurvey OF four townships
In his district. two townships in Cherry, one
in Holt ard one In Sheridan. This bill
is made necessary because OF imperfect
original surveys, the lines being 30 mac
curately run that settlers are at loaz