Evening star., 1908-01-31
Plans of Both Managers for
Late Conventions in South.
OBJECTS DIFFER WIDELY
Former Hope to Gain in Other Sec'
tions to Affect Delegates.
MR.. F0RAKERs TRUMP CARD
Holding Back Report on Brownsville
Investigation for Its Effect on
Negroes in That Section.

Up to a certain point the plans OF
the Taft and anti-Taft managers as to
the southern vote in the republican ma
tional convention are Identical. Beyond
that they are widely different.
The point of agreement Is In somewhat
late conventions in the south. The anti
Taft managers are desirous of deferring
conventions because they cannot hope to
do anything now in that section. and be-
cause they are hoping that change will
come in affairs. either through luck or
accident, or as a result of some mission
ary work they are doing.
The Taft people. feeling that they have
everything we'll in hand in the south, are
purposely requiring their leaders down
holding of conventions.
Purpose of Taft Men.
Their purpose appears to be COM
mendable one, according to inside in
formation received from men from that
section. They want to secure a large
lineup of delegates from other parts of
the country before they call upon the
south to get on the wagon. The conclu-
sion has been reached that the country
Will not relish the nomination of a man
jority of the votes from states that give
electors to the republican ticket. Briefly,
the Taft leaders hope first to secure at
least half the votes from the west, east
and north. Then they. feel they can ask
tie south to do business with enough
delegates to control affairs. 1t is pointed
out that Harrison was nominated the
second time by the southern vote and dis
aster followed.
The Taft people also have in view
q hn norly-
bad policy to have the southern states
tumbling into line during February and
March ahead of other states. They
know that, backed by the federal Of
easy to bring about almost immediate
conventions in the south and the cleo
tion of Taft delegates. But that would
look as if the big stick had been waved
and the boys at the pie counter made
to deliver in hurry. That would be
bad politics. Besides. it is hoped to
give the southern men an object lesson
concerning Taft strength by showing
them how western and northwestern
states are falling in line. Unless the
Taft plans go astray there will be COM
Portable string Of states on the list by
April. The number of votes landed Will
be large enough to impress the emotional
southerner as we'll as others above the
Mason and Dixon line. Then is when
the net will be cast for the southern
fish.
Foraker's Trump Card
Senator Foraker and the anti-Taft peo-
pie understand the motives of the Taft
leaders and feel that they will be able to
checkmate the opposition. Senator For
aker is holding back the report of the
Senate committee on the Brownsville af-
fair because he feels sure that it will
arouse the negroes In the south. force
them to run over the white offlceholders
and take charge Of conventions. electing
anti-Taft delegates. In fact, the white
off1ceholders realize that it will be diff
cult to hold the negro in ir he is again
aroused on this question. 1t is now we'll
known that the Senate committee that
investigated the Brownsville incident has
been ready to report for some time. but
Senator Foraker has been absent i'm Ohio
a great deal and he Is not ready for the
repory to come out. The report. through
democratic support. will put the blame
upon the negro soldiers. Senator For
aker knows that but a strong minority
report will be submitted. and this report