The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-12-22
TO DOWN CHARLES TAFT
Combination in Ohio in senatorshlp
Contest.

CONTEST
Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 2l.-Ehorts |
are under way to combine all the riy-
ais of Charles p. Taft for the senator
ship on plan to prevent a Republic
an caucus. Should this plan succeed |
the contest for Senator Foraker's seat
will be long and stubborn and the
brother of the presidenteleet probab-
ly would be defeated in his ambitions.
This plan has It's chief backing
among the Foraker men and some Of
the miner candidates Efforts are be-
ing made to draw into it Representa-
tive Theodore h. Burton, the chief
rival of c. p. Taft and Gov Harris.
The latter has stated that he believed
a caucus was best where no candi-
date had been named by the state con
vention Many of Mr.. Burton's
friends are urging him to enter a coal
ition but he will not commit himself
Mr. Burton is believed to have come
to Columbus prepared to fight against
a caucus but is said to be doubtful
now because he has gained strength
since his arrival, and now believes
that he has lead over Mr.. Taft With
the hope Of beating Mr.. Taft in the
caucus, he is saiG not to be so sure
that a caucus would be a bad thing
He wishes to postpone the question
for while to see If he cannot get
votes enough to make it safe to go
into one.
Some members hesitate to oppose
caucus because not to have one
opens the door for the Democrats to
take hand in the Senatorial election
by throwing votes to one of the Re-
publican candidates. The general be-
lief, however, is that the Democrats
would consider it bad politics for them
to vote for any Republican, especially
as to do so would violate the in
structions of the State convention to
vote for ex-Goy Campbell. Cover
nor-elect Harmon might not be en-
thusiastic over Democratic effort to
defeat Mr.. Taft as he handles all Mr.
Taft's private legal affairs and also
is one Of his very closest friends.
It came out today that on Dec. 70
Mr. Burton had a conference with
Harry NJ Daugherty in Washington
The Columbus candidate was quoted
in New York yesterday as saying he
would defer until he reached home
his final decision whether to get into
the fight 1t is noted by the polti
cans as signifcaL that be declared in
the New York interview his belief
that Mr.. Foraker was the ablest man
in Ohio for the Senatorship.
Those who favor an anti-Taft Goa
lltion say that there need be no prior
understanding as 10 which candidate
was to be the beneficiary Of H. Alb
sence Of any understanding. too.
would justify the denials of Foraker
and Burton that either Of them is in
alliance with anybody Il is believed
now that there are votes enough in
sight to defeat the caucus plan II all
the candidates except Taft would
unite to do It..
The Taft men are holding fast to
the caucus plan, indicating their be
lief that they can control it, but are
at sea as to the time to have IT, They
are said to have abandoned the plan
TO have it called for Jan 2. the day
the Senate and House organization
caucuses will be held They probably
will favor holding It the first part Of
the week following Charles p. Taft
will be here tomorrow and will per
sonally direct his campaign
There is much talk TO night over the
report published in c p. Taft's Gin.
clnati Times.Star that ex-Goy. Myron
T. Herrick has been picked by Judge
Taft to be Secretary OF the Treasury
since the offer OF that portfolio to Mr..
Burton has been withdrawn. Mr.. Bur.
ton still insists that he and the PresI.
dent.elect are on the friendliest terms
but the Taft forces hold that Judge
Taft is vexed at what they call the
tricky performance OF the Congress
man.
II is well known that Mr. Ierrick
IS for c. p. Taft and he is already be-
ing talked about for a candidate for
the senatorship to succeed Mr Dick
In 1911.
Senator Forakers fight Is being
made under the direction OF his for.
mer private secretary, Charles l..
KurtzC n diplomat and clever politi-
elan.
| LAG Are ON IeTuAstfc