Evening star., 1908-01-18
ACUTE STAGE OF CRISIS
Serious Alarm to Republican Repre-
sentatives.
THEY FEAR LOSS OF DISTRICTS
What the Duty Of Candidate Is.
What Has Been Done-Not
His Fault.

reached such an acute stage. as to cause
serious alarm to republican representa-
tives. who fear the loss of some congress
ional districts in the next election. Sena-
tor Foraker is aware of the situation. but
claims that 1t is not his fault. He gave
out statement last. night outlining his
attitude in the contest. The statement
was ELECTED by the kindly reference which
Secretary Taft made to Senator Foraker
in speech at a banquet last Monday
night. The statement follows:
Il am not surprised to learn that Sec-
retary Taft spoke kindly of me, for We
have been friends for many years. / am
surprised however to learn that he alone
is responsible for the failure of all the ef-
forts that have been made by Senator
Crane of Massachusetts. and others to
bring about an adjustment of differences
and restore harmony to the republicans OF
Ohio. good many people will feel more
kindly toward President Roosevelt than
they have been feeling recently after hav-
ing read the Secre.ary's statement.
But as to the statement itself. | have
always supposed it was the duty of one
aspiring to the honors of a party. par
ticularly its highest honors, to help COM
pose its differences. and thus add to Its
strength against the common enemy.
nave never OeIOTe neaTu OF any one SPEAK
ing of such action as a deal or a bar
gain of reprehensible character. Without
meaning to criticise Secretary Taft. !
feel that he either misapprehends the
character and purpose Of the suggestions
that have been made to him. or that for
some reason he has impractical views on
the subject
What Has Been Done.
What Senator Crane and others sought
to do was precisely what every other
state convention does when it nominates
a state ticket. Using Ohio for an illustfa-
tion, if the convention should nominate
a candidate for governor from the north
ern part of the state. It would in all
probability take the candidate for lieu
tenant governor from the southern part
of the state. The state treasurer and
other important officials would be dis
tributed in like manner to other sections.
In the same way the different classes
and nationalities composing the party
would be representative old soldiers. the
German population. the negroes. and SO
on, to the end. would all have. In SO far
as possible, fair representation on the
ticket
II never heard of any body condemning
such practices; but, on the contrary, ]
supposed that all recognized their neces-
sity. In other words, such an arrange
ment, or agreement or whatever you
bargain or a deal between individuals,
for 1t is not in any sense an individual
or personal matter: but. on the contrary,
something the party, does on party re-
ut was for this reason that l an
nounced publicly, when harmony propo-
sition was proposed that, If such was
the wish Of the republicans Of Ohio, no
one WOULD support seerstary ~, Tart Tor The rhe
Secretary answered that he would not &C.
cept the support OF the republicans OF
Ohio for the presidency II coupled with
an indorsement OF me Tor the SenaioTsnip.
At the same time. it was given out by
the Secretary's managers and friends that
must be eliminated.
why He Must Be Eliminated.
"Just why, has never been specifically
stated: but in a general way we nave
been told that the reason for elimina-
tion is that I have differed With the
President on some questions that have
been called upon to consider as senator
won't stop to speak Of them. except
to saw that all l did was within my
corceded rights as senator and IN ac-
cordance with my sense of official duty
If a. senator be not allowed to speak
and vote as his judgment and sense OF
duty require. but only as some one else
dictates, then the Office is without honor.
and one agent may as we'll hold 1t as
another.
..The overtures for peace we're made by
mutua, friends for the sake OF harmony,
without any request or even suggestion
from me- Nevertheless. I gave prompt
and cordial acquiescence, not for any
selfish reasons-for l had no desire again
to become a candidate for the Senate,
and long before these troubles COM
menced had made that announcement to
nv friends-but because / felt 1t duty
u agree to what seemed to be the desire
of the party and calculated to strength
en- 1t.
When Taft Rejected Peace Offerings
when Secretary Taft rejected all these
peace offerings, had either to run away
like a poltroon or to resume the contest
The resulting situation is disasreeable,
but do not regard myself as responsible
for it. Moreover, in view OF the facts l
have given, ! could not. Ii l so desired
take the Initiative as to any new peace
negotiations, or even consider or talk
abou. anything of the kind on my own
motion until Secretary Taft or some one
speaking for him should lead the way.
And from all 1 hear. nothing of that
kind is likely to occur. 1t may. there
fore, be regarded as settled that the con-
test will be fought out to the end. Be
yoni this you must excuse me from max
ing any comments.
COMMENT BY OHIO MEN.