Albuquerque citizen., 1908-02-28
POINT TO TAT 7
ON FIRST
BALLOT
Walter .Wellman Says Foes Of
Administration Fail to Sub.
Stdntidte Their Claims.
(From Record-Herald of Feb. 16.-
BY Walter Wellman.)


BY Walter Wellman.)
Washington, Feb. 15.-tSo great is
the probability of Judge Tafts nomi-
nation for president by the Chicago
convention that we are almost, If
not quite, justified in regarding it as
a foregone conclusion. There is also
a great probability that the nomina-
tion will be made on the first ballot.
The one element of serious doubt as
to the outcome lies in the possibility
of an upheaval for President Roose-
welt for a second elective term.
Fairly full and accurate informa-
tion as to the political situation in all
parts Of the country, secured during
my recent western tour and since re-
turning to Washington, strengthens
the belief formed two months ago
that Taft Is to win, but that If TAFT
for any reason Is not nominated the
president will be. ignoring for the
present the latter as one of those
vague possibilities which it is impos-
sibe to measure, the situation as II
has developed and as it is rapidly de-
veloping along certain lines, points
Enthusiastically to the nomination OF
Judge Taft.
That there is opposition to Taft
and TO the president we all know. L
have made diligent inquiries as to
the facts which led the opponents of
the leading candidates to believe he
can be beaten, and the result is not
reassuring from their standpoint.
Their claims do not stand scrutiny.
Their generalizations are strong but
their details are weak. When We
come down to the practical question
of votes which are to defeat Taft
these opponents cannot make salts
factory showing. 1t is not my buSi-
ness TO boom anyone for president. l
am not doing so. 1t is my business
20 ascertain the facts the best l can
and give them to my readers, no mat
ter what sort of outcome they may
indicate. When l ask the men who
are opposing Taft for statement in
detail of the base of their hope that
Taft can be beaten, they reply: 1t
is too early to give figures"
But in my judgment 1t is not too
early for figures. Public sentiment
and political action have already
gone so far that in a great part of
the country we know how the votes
are to be aligned almost as well as
months hence. President-makng is
our great national game, and every
four years we all delight to take a
hand in it. We read with avidity all
news that tends to foreshadow the
outcome, Having pretty good oppor-
tunities to- learn what is going on in
the country. 1 give the readers of the
Record Herald a summary of most
Trustworthy information gathered up
to this time.
Taft Stands Alone
For a clear understanding of the
situation as it is seen today, let US
look at the country geographically.
We have certain well defined political
areas. 4A
l. New England, six states, with
50 votes in the Republican national
convention.
.. The states with "favorite sons"
five in number (New York, Pennsyl-
vania, Indiana, Illinois and Wiscon-
sim, with 256 votes in the conven-
ton.
3. The south, or states almost GER
tainly Democratic at the election
(omitting Maryland and MssourD,
twelve in number, with 266 votes in
the convention.
4, The remainder of the north,
west and coast states and the terri
tories, twenty-three states in all in
Guiding Maryland and Missouri, with
3SS votes in the convention.
Total number of states 46; total
number of votes in the convention,
992; necessary to nominate, 497.
Now, II is a remarkable fact that
In all this great sweep Of country
classified under the fourth clause,
only one candidate appears to have
any considerable strength. lie Is
Taft, the one aspirant whose follow
ing up to this time has assumed a
truly national aspect.