The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-01-10
FRIDAY. JANUARY 10. 1908.
Ohio and Taft.

On Feb. II the free and unterri-
fed Republicans OF Ohio, says the
New York Globe, are to declare
whom they prefer as a presidential
candidate. No brace caucuses, no
packed convention, no boss manipu-
lation or dictation by professional
politicians, but an open primary.
Each Republican, uncoerced and I'M
watched, his political weight as great
as any other Republican, viii mark
a ballot, practically in his own door
yard, Indicating his choice. In
many states there have been primar-
les as to governors and senators, but
this is the first application OF the
principle to a presidential candidacy.
1t is obvious that what is called the
characterization OF parties is making
progress. In Ohio counties and parts
OF counties are the political units.
The next step will naturally be the
statewide presidential primary. In
time 1t is not impossible that prcsl-
Dental nominations will be made at
nationwide primaries.
That the Taft managers have
adopted such a method of settling
the Ohio result proves at once their
candor and their confidence. They
are not relying on Darkroom confer
ences or combinations, nor do they
fear the people. Being human poll
ticians it may he assumed that they
you'd have avoided such a test &C.
they had any fear as to what judg-
ment the appealed to popular Caesar
would give. They could have cas-
lily avoided such a plebisclte II they
had so elected, and at the same time
have secured a solid Taft delegation
from Ohio. 1t is an open secret that
Senator Foraker has been cunning
for the presidency in the hope OF
bringing down his reelection in the
Senate. He thought the situation
was one that demanded a trade. and
as the Taft managers held aloof from
dickerlng he his done what lay n his
power to exert pressure-to make 1t
appear that Ohio was seriously divid-
ed as to the presidency. The sena-
tor, assuming that politicians first
duty is to himself is not to be blam-
ed. His peace overtures have been
rejected. concourse of circumstan-
ces has forced him back to the wall,
and he has had no option except to
raise all the row he could.
Many signs indicate that on Feb.
II Secretary Taft win win a sweep
ing, victory. This will lie mainly be-
cause of his own merits. but partly
because Of the supposed dement's of
Senator Foraker. Ohio is Justly
proud Of the fact that she has fur
nished so many presidents to the ma
ton. The state would like to add
another name to the list. A year ago
the opportunity 10 do so began to
open-Secretary Taft was everywhere
hailed as the man most fit 10 succeed
President Roosevelt. Under these
conditions Senator Foraker saw fit to
launch a rival presidential candi-
dacy. His closest friends admitted
that he had not the remotest chance
OF succeeding. 1t is not strange that
Ohio opinion quickly reached the
conclusion that either he was merely
endeayering to play the role Of dog
in the manager or was seeking TO
force n trade concerning a matter
which It is the business of the legls-
lature OF Ohio and not OF Secretary
Taft to decide. Thus it was that the
Ohio Republican committee. although
chosen. at time when Senators For
aker and Dick we're in undisputed
control OF the Republican organiza-