Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-02-12
tBy Walter weliman.) }

(By Walter Wellman.)
Detroit. Feb. 4.--Mlchlgan is for
Taft. OF tho twenty-eIght delegates
from this state 10 the national con.
ventlon at least twenty will be for
the Secretary of War. The remain
ing eight may be for him also-in-
deed. the probabilities are that they
VIII be, but until the situation de-
velops little further they cam II
be regarded as certain. The four
delegates at large and most OF the
district delegates will be instructed
for Taft. An effort II making 10
secure a unanimous delegation. and
nnless something goes wrong II Is
probable the effort will succeed
No one now denies that Michigan
IL a Taft state. There Is no serious
opposition 90 the Taft programme
No open work IL being done for
other candidates. The people and
the politicians regard the outcome
as already detcrmlned-tha the
vote or the state II for Taft. The
only question IN whether two or
throo districts are 10 stand out
against the general viii and wish OF
the Republicans OF tho common
wealth.
Although some exceedingly clever
politics IN bohalf OF Taft marks the
recent history OF events here. the
silent. tho compelling fact Is the
trend OF public opinion. n In cor
cedei by every one. even by men who
favor other candidates. that great
majority OF the Republicans favor
Taft. The strnegth OF this sentl.
ment among tho masses. rs In ohio.
and many other states. has made u
eaay for those operating practically
and looking after aaiffrA 10 secure
results. These men are so well sat.
isfied with what has been done tina,
they are now virtually resting on
their CARA Their work In done. All
they need 10 do In the future Ia 90
watch two or three districts whore
the results may Eiill bo regarded a.
IN doubt.
When we come 10 look closer into
the character of this public opinion.
and tho gcnenis OF Il. We find some
very interesting and suggestive
facts n the case of Michigan IL
typical of public opinion generally
IN tho West. we here get auRe 40
curate and Instructive Que 60 the
earrent tread OF thought among thc
American people on national affairs.
The development OF tho Tart
movement IN Michigan may be as
oribed 10 two distinct phases OF pub.
lic sentiment;
The first IL the helF6t among /
business and professional men that
judge Taft would make strong and /
steady President They admire hla
character and his services. Many of
them especially the lawyers -ane |
laweyrs here aa everywhere are lead.
eFs in poli,ics have met him aud /
formed their estimate Of him a. close
range
These are the men who have TAX
ga hold and given their time aud
energy 20 tho Gauss Taey are for
the mosi part men who believe IN
the Roosevelt policies. broadly
speaking, hot they look upon tho
President hlniself with varying de.
Erees of approval They ate dis
eFimlnaiiyo Ia their applause. ana
their praise Is often accompanied hy
qualifying additions Some would
b. giad "a have Roosevelt himself
the candidate again. Others are bit,
terry opposed % any such proRosal |
between them. and embracing por.
haps the majority og this class. are
those Who Nant the Roosoven work
carried on but want d carried on
IA . more Quiss way out of sc0rcs 4,
of similar expressions in this line
that have rearhed my ears the foi. Z
olving may ho settled as Up,oah IA
= believe ia What h called Ro0se-
veitism belieYo We should So GA q
sEying "a make corporations obey
lhe Law, tfylnE "a panish TaseallU IA
Irying ~ make railroading aud n.ir
aance m0re houvst. trying 60 siop 4
Wan sireei from sying up sfe eoan. I
lfy's money "a ns gambling sghemes. h
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