The sun., 1908-12-29
AFl'SPLAASFOR THE SOUTH
THE PROBLEM OF SPREADING
REPUBLICANISN THERE.
Altitude Of substantiaI aIen OF the seuth
howard the Nsyement-Mr. sfafts
object is to Lift RepublIeanlsm In
the South Above the Omeeholaers.

The South have passed beyond mere
theory. The President-elect. when the
proper time comes. will back up his cam
paign expressions Of good will toward
the South with action
National Chairman Frank H. Hitch
cock is TO arrive tomorrow and he will
be called upon for suggestions as to prac-
tical ways and means of carrying Re-
publicanism into the South. John Hays
Hammond president Of the National
League Of Republican Clubs. will confer
with Mr.. Hitchcock. MIR. Hammond has
been here for week and has talked with
Mr. Taft on several occasions on this
subject.
Communications from many prominent
Southerners have come to Mr.. Hammond
and others interested in the management
of the recent Republican campaign sug-
gesting that they organize Taft clubs
throughout the South. Many of the
letter writer's are Democrats who are
sick and tired Of their party experience
in the Last twelve years. They say they
would never think. however, of leaving
the Democratic party for the Republican
organization OF the South. Yet they
boast they are Taft men and they win
be glad TO join and support Taft clubs.
This plan to establish Taft clubs through
tue South will be undertaken by Mr.
Hammond personally il he can see his
way clear to spare the time from his own
business enterprises. He will have his
National League OF Republican Clubs as
The league was not developed as fully in
this section OF the country as it was in the
Northern States.
Nlr. Hammond's interest in the move
ment Is purely service Of love, He has
said that he desired nothing at Mr.
Taft's hands. He took up the National
eague OF Republican Clubs in the same
sririt at the beginning OF the campaign.
and starting with practically defunot
organization he ended with more than
$500 cubs and an aggregate Of 100 900
members. The purpose OF that oreaniza-
ton was to reach the young voters Of the
country
While the slogan of the Taft clubs. II
would seem, will he taft for himself
they will furnish an opening wedge for
the spread of Republican propaganda in
the South.
1t 10 expected also that in counting
among their members some Of the sub
stsntial men in each community the way
will be opened for gradual elevation
in tone OF the regular Republican organi-
7ation. II is likely that several South
crners swho are interested in the Taft
movement will have talks with both Mr..
Hammond and Chairman Hitchcock here
this week. Schnell Smith. secretary Of
the National League Of Republican Clubs.
arrived to-day and win be here for the
conference.
Secretary Sheriff. of the Business Mems
League, an organization which did q
good deal OF work in the large cities in
the campaign. also 10 headed for Augusta.
MIR. Sheriff.. II is understood, believes
that his organization might be able TO
help. His coming is interesting, how
ever. as indicating that Mr.. Taft is ready
to listen 10 any suggestions and means
business. The Presdent-elect naturally
has taken no stand In regard to the plan
for the organisation OF Taft clubs through
the South, but with the movement once
under way 1t win Undoubtedly have his |
active cooperation.
The establishment OF Taft clubs as
medium for reaching the Southern voters |
will, however. be only q beginning Of |
the problem. The real difficulty Is to |
come over the question OF patronage |
in the South. Mr.. Taft. so his friends
say, realizes the necessity Of lifting the
P.nnhl;.-- zr~aat-lt;o,. In kha Qouth |
above the horde OF officeholders who
have been feeding at the crib for years.
At the same time he appreciates. it is
said. that there are worthy men in the !
organization in the South and that any
system which would ignore them would
work an injustice. Mr. Taft's friends
are emphatic, however. in declaring that
the Republican party Id the South is no
longer TO be run for the convention votes
which it win yield. but that there is TO
he real effort on the part OF Mr.. Taft |
10 put new and substantial life into the |
party and TO make party conditions
such that the South can vote as IL feels.
Some Of the Federal ofiiceholding crowd
are already suffering from chills and fever
over the prospect. Two OF them blew
INTO Augusta to-day aghast at report
that Mr.. Taft was going to look to Demo-
Gratis in the South for Information In re-
gard to his appointments. What the
'wo heard here was not quite as bad as
hat, but it was bad enough for them.
Mr.. Taft, IL was said. might be inclined
To accept the word of Democrat If he
was certain that the Democrat was more
competent and better able to judge.
Mr.. Taft himself. however. will probably
have something interesting to say on
this question OF Repubiicanlsm in the
South at the dinner OF the Atlanta Cham
her of Commerce on January Is. A COM
nittee from Atlanta called on him to-day /
and fixed the date Of his visit 10 that city.
Atlanta is planning to make IL memorable \
event. The demand for seats at the
dinner will be 50 great. it Is said. that
there is talk Of holding 1t in the Armory.
Mr. Taft will be in Atlanta from about
noon Of the 18th until 3 O'Clock In the
afternoon Of the next day.
Mr.. Taft said to-day that he would
al Guile bra. He will live with Col.
Goethals. Daily excursions win be made
from Culebra by Mr.. Taft and the com
mittee OF experts. Mrs, Taft will pToba-
blv company the President-eleot on the
trip Mr. Taft expects to DO on the 18th
mus a weak and the entire trim will con- !