Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-02-08
From Washington.
TCoreypondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.l
rrrIs. n n Eahrnarv

Washington, D. O., February 8.
They call themselves the "allies"
now. That is the name adopted by the
boomers of Knox, Fairbanks, Common
and Hughes for the presidential nomins-
ton. Out Of the mass of conflicting
reports from the republican state con-
yentlon at st. Augustine, Fla, on
Thursday, one fact stands forth that
there has been set on foot we'll de-
fiued. we'll planned combination among
the boosters of the favorate sons TO carry
their war in to what has hitherto been
tagged Taft territory. The result OF
the FIRST skirmish is In doubt. "Allies
captured florida regular state conveu-
ton. Office holders bolted. Two sets
Of delegates Ia state and congressional
conventions" Thus reads a message
received by one of the Fairbanks man.
ayers here The Taft folks continue
10 claim that theirs was the only real
convention, and that il was the anti
Taft men who bolted. According to
press reports, both conventions we're held
10 the same hail at the same time. 1t
will be left for the republican national
committee and the committee on creden-
tisls of the rational convention to I'M.
rayel the tangle. There will be similar
scraps N large number Of States. As
the national committee makes up the
temporary rolls for the convention, both
"sllies" and "Tafties" have begun 10
work on the national committeeman
Representative Burton, chief Taft
boomer 10 Washington, is out In q
statement claiming that 20 of the COM
mitteemen are already pledged to Taft,
while 26 are doubtful. He comedies
only eight to the Opposition" The
"sllies" went about their work in the
South very systematically. Each of the
anti-Taft candidates had men ON the
ground days before the Florida conven-
| ton met. These men labored shoulder
| to shoulder, and even if their conven-
ton should not be held to be the legal
one, they certainly did succeed in stir
ring up lively muss, and one that in
| the viewpoint of. Washington politicians
generally, is bound to have its efec;
IN other southern States. The plan o!
the "allies" is to have each of the State
conventions, outside OF the favorite son
States, send uninstructed delegations to
Chicago. From now on, 1t is the field
against TAFT.
Reports from Chicago that President
Roosevelt may attend the Republican
National Convention there in June, are
viewed among political leaders here
merely rs the astute work of the
"barker," paving the way for a later
announcement OF the many attractions
that may be seen Gin the big tent" and
thus aid in the return to hotel men OF
the bonus they subscribed TO secure the
great assem- lsge. That William Ii.
Taft will be "Among those present, "
there is little doubt. He will likely have
resigned his cabinet post before that
time, But not even the yeriest tyro in
preside niial statecraft here will stand
sponsor for the suggestion Of a possibil-
ity that Roosevelt could be induced to
take personal command of the sdminis-
tration forces although 1t is admitted
on all sides that as precedent breaker
and precedent maker, he occupies the
highest pinnacle. No President has ever
attended q national convention, although
man nominated for that hiRh Office
has been present at the tine. R1o'evels
WAS al the Philadelphis convention thal
selected him as McKinley's running
mate, but he was then Governor Of New
York, and was forced into the vice pres
idency against his will. That the Presi-
dent will be potent factor IN the conven-
ton is no question. He will be there 10
spirit but not in the fish.
Neither house of Congress. was in
session today.
John Junghan, Is years old, of SI29
Brightwood ave., was accidentally sho,
by his brother Michael, 8 years old, this
morning. 1t is not known how serious
his condition is.