Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-20
THE DOVE OF PEACE.
Towering Over Ohio Republican Pol
 itics-WiIl It Alight?

Washington, D. c., Jan ZO.-
 "Over the Ohio political situation is
 lowering the dove of peace. Wheth-
 CT it will alight or not remains yet
 to be determined, but the prospects
 are bright that it will"
 This important and significant
 statement is made by a prominent
 Ohioan who is in intimate touch
 with the Ohio senators. He is thor
 oughly cognizant of their intentions
 and desires and is convinced that
 the situation in the Buckeye state
 is clearing.
 No doubt exists in the mind of any observant politician who has
 been over Ohio that Secretary Taft
 holds the state sale.' My own opin-
 ion is that on test vote between Taft and Foraker the former would
 win by a ratio as great as 10 to T.. By some of the secretary's more en- thusiastic friends it is believed he would win by ? to 1.
 However that may be, there is no question that the two Ohio sena- tors have a powerful and effective minority in the state. In the pres ent circumstances, it will be prac- tically impossible for Secretary Taft to secure a solid and enthusiastic delegation from his home state to the republican national convention. Generally, by those who have can vassed the situation, it is thought that the delegation will be split and that Foraker will have from three to six delegates from Ohio in the convention. This is recognized by Taft's friends as particularly seri- ous,, because, while the minority in the delegation would be small it would be very vociferous and would be certain to make trouble in the convention.
 Last spring Senator Dick had plan to bring about a harmonious arrangement between the Taft and Foraker factions in the state. The matter was discussed in some detail. At that time proposition was made to Elmer Dover, secretary of the re- publican national committee-an Ohioan himself-to undertake the of Secretary Taft's He would not consider the proposition unless harmony could be restored in Ohio. Finally, the arrangements were completed for an amicable agreement and only the of Secretary Taft was needed to make it binding. When the matter was presented to him he threw the whole proposition into the air, refusing to consider 1t seriously. In effect. the proposition was that Taft should be endorsed for the and given a solid delega- ton to the convention and that For aker should be endorsed for re- election to the senate.
 With the refusal of Taft to such | an agreement. the fight began in | earnest and it has continued ever | since. The senators from Ohio know ! they are beaten, SO far as FOraker's | aspirations are con l serned, but while they may be de- feated this time they will live to fight another day.
 In these circumstances comes the . dove of peace. Already negotia- ions have been opened between the Taft and Foraker people looking to m adjustment of situation that is to all parties. The ne- yotiations were opened by the Taft ldherents and the likelihood is that hey may be carried to a successful ssue No definite conclusion yet has ,een reached. but the friends of 10th Secretary Taft and Senator Foraker, many Of whom have a deep concern in the result, are irging both strongly to compose heir differences and get together in the more optimistic quarters little iOubt Is expressed that in a short ime harmony will be restored in Ohio. Both Taft and FOraker. with n few days. have been saving com things Of each other. and is considered that the time now S ripe for harmony in Ohio with a ,Fr ssH sr