The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-17

The concern among Ohio Republicans
over the party schism in that State IS
spreading to prominent Republican lead
ers in other parts of the country.
Grave fears are being expressed that
unless some compromise is effected be
tween the warning factions, Ohio will be
found in the Democratic column on next
election day. Many of those who are cry
ing for harmony are friends Of Secretary
Taft. but the administration adherents Of
Secretary Taft's candidacy appear to be
anxious to continue the fight for the elm
ination of Senator Foraker from politics,
without regard TO the consequences on
the party al large.
That Secretary Taft is in the lead for
the Republican nomination is conceded by
party leaders who are opposed to his
course. and under present conditions
would prefer to have some other man Sc
lected as the national standard bearer.
Some OF the Taft workers are so nned
with confidence in the ultimate victory OF
their candidate. however. that they are
showing a disposition to walk rough-shod
over the old Wheelhorses Of Republican
Ism, who for perfectly honest and consist
ent reasons will not approach Mr. Taft
with any proposition for party harmony
SO long as this disposition is demon
strated
The effect upon these leaders of the no
quarter policy of Mr. Taft's friends has
been to make them redouble their efforts
10 keep the TAFT following from getting
control OF the Republican national con-
vention. to be held in June
see Move for Harmony.
Those who are hoping for harmony
have found a ray Of hope in accounts of
what took place after a dinner given in
4lr Tafts honor at the Arlington last
Monday by the Republican members of
the Ohio delegation in the House of Rep
resentatives. The dinner developed into
an experience meeting. and some OF the /
Ohio Representatives did not hesitate to /
express fears that if the Taft-Foralger |
fight was continued, not only would sew
eral Republican Congressman be sue
ceeded by Democrats, but the State might /
east its electoral vote for the Democratic /
Presidential electors.
Mr.. Taft, in response to these pessi- |
mistic views, made some frank remarks.
He acquitted President Roosevelt of re-
sp0nsibility for the refussI of Mr.. Taft
g..
Foraker suggested by Senator W. Mur-
ray Crane last April, 1t has been gen
orally understood that Mr.. Taft was pre- /
vented from bringing about harmony in /
the Ohio camp by the refusal Of the Presi- /
dent 10 agree to any compromise ar |
rangement. but Mr.. Taft declared al the /
dinner that il was he alone who declined /
10 sanction the proposal that ne be in 1
dorsed for President and Foraker for /
Senator. He did SO, ne explained. be- /
cause he believed that the Presidency
and the Senatorship were separate and /
distinct and should not be associated in
any political deal
Pays Foraker Compliments.
Mr. Taft took occasion, however. to
say some complimentary things about I.
Senator Foraker He paid high tribute
TO the Senator, declared that he liked him /
personally, and that he could never for
get that it was Senator Foraker who.
when governor of Ohio, had given him /
his start in public life by appointing him
a judge Of the Superior Court in Gin
cinnati- Those present, a considerable
number Of whom have a feeling Of warm
admiration for Senator Foraker. were
much gratified over the manner i'm which
Mr.. Taft spoke of his rival, and since
then some of them have been hopeful that
the bitter party battle may be ended and
both factions work together for victory
at the polls in November
There We're other intimate secrets Of
the Taft campaign told at the Ohio dele
cation dinner in honor Of the Secretary
Of War. and among them was this: That
Charles p, Taft of Cincinnati. the can
oidates S brother, who has led the fight to
eliminate Senator Foraker. was more
than willing last spring TO arrange a COM
promise with the Foraker forces.
Take Diverse Views,
interesting developments are expected
soon IN connection with the charge nj
Senator Foraker that Fedora patronage
IS being distributed in OniO to obtain
support for Secretary Taft It is under
stood that President Roosevelt has been
urged to keep sending to the Senate the
Of Taft adherents selected
for appointment to offices in that State
In the hope that Senators Foraker and
Dick viii defeat their confirmation.
This plan. according to those who ad-
yocate IT. viii have the effect of stirring
40 feeling against Senator Foraker
among his own people. The Foraker ad-
lerents are smiling broadly over this ar
sument They hold that the rejection OF
such nominations viii have quite the
contrary effect, in that it viii show the
power of Senator Foraker, and will create
lnimosity against President Roosevelt
md Secretary Taft. on the ground that
hey are. attempting to split the Repub-
lean party in Ohio worse than il is split !
low.