The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-10-02
TWENTY-FIVE CENTS PR MONTH.
On|V Near Enthusiasm
For Candidate Taft


coast
Quite naturally it is a point u in
terest-did the Haskell episode hurt
Mr.. Bryan? These demonstrations in
Cincinnati-and they were repeated in
Toledo, Detroit, Columbus and many
other cities-were coincident with the
excitement over the Haskell matter,
while the whole affair was pending
and before Haskell had been forced
from the treasurership.
Foraker and Taft.
d have had time to note the effect,
and without hesitation affirm that
while some harm was done, it was
immensely less than seemed for a time
would be caused; and that the dupli-
city in connection with the Foraker
affair did the Taft cause infinitely
more harm.
Restating it briefly: After the fight
in Ohio and Taft's winning the deiega-
ton, Foraker ceased the battle. sent
his compliments to Mr.. Taft, the re-
publican managers arranged for Fora
ker to appear in public at Toledo. be-
fore the Grand Army meeting, they
shook hands in the presence of the
people, declared they were friends,
and Foraker was scheduled to speak at
20 or more important Taft meetings.
Then came Hearst's letter reading, and
only then did the president-not Mr..
Taft-discOver a letter alleged to have
been written months before, in which
it is claimed Taft refused to compro-
mise with Foraker.
/ hope 1 will be permitted to say in
this article that this incident contains
what theolOgians call internal evil
dences" of being a political play. The
whole nation knew Taft and Foraker
had made up, and that before Hearst
revealed the smell of Oil directly ap-
piled by Archbold, all Of the Taft
managers were willing that their can.
didate and Senator Foraker should
work together.
1t will be remembered that at the
Toledo meeting, Senator Dick of Ohio
ended the love feast by saying that all
that was necessary was to elect Fora
ker again to the senate to make the
affair perfect.
Absolutely no disclaimer came from
the Taft people; the whole event was
hailed as a harbinger of peace in Ohio,
and therefore of success for "the
ticket"
Drove Last Nail.
/ believe that it is the opinion of the
eastern press that the president drove
the last nail in the coffin in which was
buried Mr.. Tafts hopes of appearing
before the people as an independent,
self governed man, and raised alOft a
notice that he personally rules the
whole republican party and will do
what he will.
No word of protest has come from
Mr.. Taft; no intimatiOn that he would
like to demonstrate his ability to telf
his views, and none will deny that he
could tell them if he would, even
though it be without grace of orators
or pleasant establishment
The effect carefully considered and
gauged by reading and talking with
men on both sides. is that either Mr..
Taft is regarded as using the presi-
dents cloak of popularity under which
to enter the White House, or he is
actually unable to define his policies,
and is as some of his opponents claim,
merely the presidents creature.
Had Judge Taft really indorsed the
presidents action, it seems likely he
would in some manner have indicated
it. This he has not done.
1t is noticeable that if Mr.. Bryan has
leading issues to present he does not
ask some friend to offer them; he goes
to the people, in his own right and
with his own personal expression,
taking what hurt or help results there
from.
This I am sure the most of people
think is his strength. and the opposite
is l am equally sure Mr.. Tafts weak
ness.