Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-14
Many Republicans Do Not Believe
He Can Be Elected.
0lD PARTY HEN ARE suLKING
Congress No, Inclined to Carry Out
Roosevelt Policies or Help Admin
Observation-Disclosures Entering Cam.
palsn with no Heart in Their Work.

1t Is TO be assumed that President
Roosevelt Is going 10 have absolute
control of the Republican national
convention and that Mr.. w. j. Bryan
Is to control and be the candidate OF
tho Democratic national convention.
the campaign next fall will have an
unprecedented pauclty of material for
stump oratory, and of issues to ac-
centuate.
II the nomination of Secretary Taft
Is permitted by the Republican lead
ers, their action Will be In the nature
OF surrender in despair the belief
on their part being that the Demo-
Gratis VIII win the election. The Re-
publican convention of Mr.. Taft as
the administration candidate with Il
cloud of doubts and apprehensions
which may be recognized as warn
ing of defeat. Regardless of instruc-
/ ton, II Is entirely probable that a
national convention assuming respon-
sibility for its party will hesitate 10
make nomination under conditions
of encouragement as to the result of
the election. and II Is not yet safe
TO assume that Mr.. Taft's nomination
is guaranteed. II the administration
controls the convention. no 'reac-
tionary" can be nominated. and IL the
doubts rs TO Mr.. Tafts strength in
the election should be impressed up
on the convention. the only alterna-
tive In the abandonment of his nomi-
Roosevelt. Opposition to the admin
istration is already practically hone
less. and indications nre that In the
final struggle all OF the anti-adminis-
tration Influences will he exerted TO
compel Roosevelt's nomination. Ac-
0uiesccnce by tho administration
forces In the nomination of Mr.. Taft
as proxy for the President would be
Significant OF q spirit of hopelessness
and authorization of n party dcfeat.
Tho Republican leaders in Congress
arc not honcful of success in the COM
ing election under administration
domination. bnt they do believe that
Roosevelt himself would be stronger
re- candidate than would be anyone
named bv him. Defeated i'll NIL efforts
to control the convention. their only
hone of marty success In the election
will he in making Roosevelt the can
didate.
Congress Furnishes Few lssues.
Tho present Congress-. contrary to
all the experience of past Congresses
on the eve of national election, has
contributed practically nothing TO the
approaching campaign. Mr.. Roose-
welt having undertaken to dictate par
ty policy. to direct tho course of Con-
gress and to determine who shall be
nominated to succeed him in the
White House. the Republicans of
Congress have left to him the respon :
sibility of taking care OF the campaign
to come. Party loyalty counts for
something and the majority In Con-
gress is compelled. reluctantly. to
make a show of sustaining the admin
istration and trying to carry out its
policy; but the congressional leaders
Iof the party have followed slowly.
with reluctant feet and scowllng
faces. the cratic course set for them
by the President. Everything that
has been demanded OF Congress by
Mr.. Roosevelt Inns been undertaken
by the Republican Congress with III
grace and but thinly yelled opposi-
ton. Tho record OF the session win
furnish very little material for Re-
publican campaign book giving the
text for stump oratory.
Roosevelt Must Run Campaign.
The main issues OF the campaign
must be those made by Mr.. Hoose
volt himself, and the principal cam
paign literature that can be sent out
to the country under congressional
frank must consist of President
Roosevelts own messages which have
been read from time to time to the
Senate and House of Representatives
There Is no heart or spirit in anything
that has been said or done by the Re-
publlcans OF this Congress affecting
national politics. The Presidents
recommendation have been listened
to with irritation and In the main
given pcrfunctory consideration with
an air of WEAKNESS.
| The employers liability bill de-
manded by Mr.. Roosevelt to clrcum-
vent tho decision OF the Supreme
Court has been passed. Little else
that he mas demanded, however, haE
yet been actually accomplished. The
currency bill passed by the Senate
|, is in precarious condition In the
| House. Tho anti-injunction bill Is
apparently hung up. The political
play over the Brownsville matter Is
of doubtful termination. The in
creases of appropriation are slowly
and reluctantly granted. the appro-
Driation bills being far behind and
serving as obstruction to other leg
islation.
Many Hearings. Little Done.
The interstate commerce commits
sion and the judiciary committee OF
the House have been deliberately lis
tening to hearings without any APP
parent cagerness for action. Pro-
tracted hearings are usually the re-
course of Congress for the avoidance
of action on things demanded. Album
dant hearings have been given upon