Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-01-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
trrom our Regular correspondent

WASnlNd uN LIE IEHs
(rrom our Regular correspond enl.)
Washington, D. c., Jan. 25.-Thomas
F. Sheehan and Elk Senator James
| Smith, the former from New York and
the latter from New Jersey are in
| Washington endeavoring to organize
an anti-B Bryan movement in anticipa-
tion of the Democratic leaders visit
here this week OF course they fully
appreciate the futility of attempting
to beat Mr.. Bryan in the national con
ventlon. but their object is to inspire
so many of the party leaders with a
want of confidence in Mr.. Bryan that
they will all appeal to the distinguish.
} ed Nebraskan, either to stand aside
for time in the national convention
and permit the party to get together
, behind some other candidate, or to
J eliminate himself now so that the par
, ty may concentrate it's enthusiasm ON
, some other candidate. Mr.. Sheehan
, and Senator Smith both declare that
} there is not the slightest possibility of
Mr.. Bryan's Carrying either New York
or New Jersey and they are unable to
figure out a victory without these two
important states. These anti Bryan
workers have received some encour-
agement but not enough to make them
very sanguine as to the success of their
mission. However, MIR. Bryan will be
here himself later in the week and
then 1t will be possible to see how
the proposition strikes the man who
is generally accepted to be the certain
candidate of his party in the coming
presidential battle.
The sensation of the hour in Wash
ington is the letter which Secretary
Taft has addressed to the Chairman
of the New York Republican County
Committee and which constitutes SO
novel and perhaps subtle move in
the political game that even the Dem.
ocrats have stopped to observe the re-
suits on the Republican side of the
garden wall. MIR. Taft urges Mr.
Parsons, and his many other friends
in New York" not to press his inter-
ests as against Governor Hughes and
declares that it is bis policy not to
make contest in any state which has
favorite son. somehow the Hughes
people do not seem to be altogether
pleased at this magnanimOus course
on the part OF Secretary Taft. Nor is
that hard to understand, for the large
maj ority of the Hughes people in New
Y ork have not been at heart for
Hughes but against Il oosevelt and bis
pulicies. They were preparing to vote
once for Gov. Hughes in the national
convention and after that to last New
York's IS votes for whatever reac
tlonary Candidate made the best ter ms.
The action of Mir. Taft knocks their
little game on the head. Tney are
discredlted. Only The real Hughes
people and the Roosevelt people will
be aDle to go as delegates to the con-
ventlon and the professional politicians
of the Odell stripe are utterly routed.
There are some people who ale won
dering if Mr.. TafL's uOte is not saying
in Effect, you states with favorite sons
just hold your ground with your 7O4
votes, all told, while go out and cap
ture the other 7O4 votes In the cOnven
ton.
1t is not surprising that President
Roosevelt, who has always been an
ardent advocate OF taIlff lefolm,
should be little thintkinned under
the allegation of Senators Foraker,
Dick. GaIIinger and other of the gang
who opposed the Railway Rate bill,
roLage to promote the nomina ion of
Secretary Taft. The President is seri.
ously contemplating issuing a state
ment describing the ciTcu instances un-
der which be made every appoin tment
which has been sent to the Senate since |
the political game became interesting. |
OF course the Senators are play ing |
politics" as hard as anybody, but tn q |
while he realizes that, dis.
likes the allegation just the same
Democrats throughout the country
should not be too much encouraged
by the reports sent out from Washing.
ton to the effect that Senator Bailey
has a. financial bill which be will off or
Is substitute for the Aldrich bill and
that be Is seeking to have his measure
adopted by the Democratic Caucus
The truth. is that Mr.. Bailey never
thought of springing his bill until
here had appeared in the Texas press
ZONE severe criticism of bis course in
scquiescing so promptly to the Aid.
.ich measure, and even now he has not
even formally introduced his measure,
which by The way, is an old one, into
;he Senate. Mr.. Bailey is talking ,
bout the bill for political effect in bis /
,tate. but it is a safe guess that he p.
las no intention of abandoning his
oyalty to Aldrich and his measure
As for a caucus. Bailey was one of .
hose who did most to prevent one,
Mr.. Teller of Colorado, ably seconding
ais efforts.
II any proof were needed to show
that in the opinion of the high protec-
tionists any man is a traitor who sug-
rests lowering tariff schedule, that
proof would have been afforded by the
Senate this week. The President sent
in his message asking that certain ad.
change in the tariff law
be made, changes which be and all
sincere men who have examined them
regard as essential to justice. Imme
1iately there was Juror in the Senate