The Washington herald., 1908-08-10

Reports that come to Washington con-
cerninE political conditions in the West
are OF a mixed character, but calcuIztors
find them without great menace to the
Republican national ticket even where
the turmoil Of local factionaI politics Is
strongest
Washington IS a sort Of clearinghouse
just now for political prognostications-
Developments IN any locality are prompt
" registered by the political seismograph
in this city Were it not for local trou-
bles in several States the Republican
leaders would not evince material concern
as TO the West. As it is. they believe the
ills that nettle the general body polite
in West Virginia. Ohio. Indiana. Iowa,
Kansas. Wisconsin. and Tennessee viii
be cured n month
Senator Scott OF West Virginia. was
In Washington a few days ago. He and
his colleagues have plans made looking
20 the adjustment Of Republican troubles
IN that State and the withdrawal Of the
boiling Republican nominee for governor-
In Ohio the situation continues unsettled
Considered Bad Politics.
The apparent discrimination OF Sse
Vorys faction 20 eliminate Senator Fora.
kers is generally denounced by IeafnE
Republicans as the worst sort Of politics.
One of Charles P Taft's friends made
the statement this week that Mr.. Taft
would not be a candidate for Senator TO
succeed Nr- Foraker But there were
reasons. this politician explained why
M Taft was not making his decision 10
keep out % the squabbie public at this
time.
NOrys' candidacy IS not taken seriously
by the Taft managers. Senators Foraker
and Dick would not take any preventive
measures against IT. but the report OF
Charles P Taft's candidacy cccasioned
some uneasiness. It can be stated posi-
lively. however. that az the proper time
Charles P Taft viii give the friends OF
Senator Foraker satisfactory assurances
Wisconsin for Taft.
One Of Senator L. FoIlet1e's political
Iieutenants was n Washington yesterday.
He is closer 10 that statesman than any
other politician in Wisconsin He de-
elares that La Toilette viii carry wIscon-
sin for Taft
He cannot afford 10 have the state
90 Democratic this year said the Wis
consin man Ia Toilette is locking to
the future He expects 70 travel far fl
the direction Of the Presidency in the next
four years. He could get nowhere by al
lowing his State TO 90 Democratic this
year
The great danger 10 the Republican
ticket IN Wisconsin this year. according
to the authority quoted above. is Isaac
StepheusOn's candidacy for reelection 10
-
reach the Senate. was chosen to I'll
SpOoner's Unexpired term by the induI-
gence OF the la Toilette organization
He promised not 70 Be a candidate for re-
election. but plunged into the race again
and Is now fighting the Ia Toilette ma
chine II he wins on the heels Of the ac-
ton OF the Chicago convention in throw
ing out La FOllette's platform IL might
turn the so-called Progressive Repub-
iican' vote away from the regular ticket
II the -Progressives@ prevail IN the
State primaries they viii have every in
ducement 10 line Up for the whole Rspub-
lican ticket.
Radicals Strong in Kansas.
The victory OF Bristov over Long IN
Kansas indicates that the radical wing OF
the party Is still dominant but the effect
Of the victory IS even more favorable for
Senator Long had won As a rdle. the
political observers hold. IL IS the radicals.
not the conservatives. WHO bolt the ticket
when they fail TO get what they want
The Kansas radicals have something 70
fight for now
The Io-,s situation is improving. Rep
resentas IS Hepburn and Hull. who are
now in Washington. both insist that the
vacancy in the Senate 10 be fought for
will b an additional incentive for ener-
getic work in both factions. aad more so
becaus OF the certainty that the strength
OF tie two factions IS 50 nearly even as
% give both sides something TO expect
from the election Of a Republican legis-
lature.
Indiana is the bIOw-hole in the Re
publican srmOT. An Indiana of7cehoider
who ranks next TO g Cabinet officer re-
turned 20 Washington last week after a
trip through the State He expressed the
opinion that If the election were held to-
day the Republican State and legislative
ticket would be defeated The RepUbli-
can national ticket, he declares, is 500
votes stronger than the State ticket. on
account Of the prominence given to GER
tain local issues. notably local option
One Southern Weak spot.
In the South the Republican outlook IS
better than it Fa- ever been before in q
national elec IN except as TO one spot
Tennessee. A bitter facJional fight be
tween the element headed by Representa-
tive BrC rnlo.g and that engineered by H
Clay Z g : seriously compiicatins mat
ters. T, republican State tickets may
be nJrl1rated- 8Ir- Taft is very strong
with business and professional men IN
the tate. and might reasonably hope for
the electoral vote If the factions would
bury their troubles
Georgia is perhaps the most contestabIs
territory in the Southern States One OF
the Democratic Representatives IN Con-
Sress from that State. who was in Wash
iugtOn last week expressed tie opinion
that Taft would get the electoral vote
OF Georgia but il is only fair 10 say
that the member is q well-known anti
Bryan Democrat.
A man who is prominently identified
with the business department Of one Of
the big Democratic newspapers put il
thus
Georgia Democrats are sick and tired
OF Bryan; Roosevelt could have carried
the State sure; TAFT may DO 50"