Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-14
CAPITAL CHAT.
Continued from Page One.)

tIicl VIII come tue Strlte to see which
one of their number shall win. In the
course Of two or three months it will
be pretty well settled probably and
then, as of old, all Republicans will
fall in 3nd support the man the con-
IentiCn dominates.
1t all indicates the splendid spirit
within the party. Men want TO think
for themselves in the matter and pick
The best man. In the heat of the con-
yeutiCn they say things about this
candidate and that candidate which
will be forgotten soon after the con-
vention has nominated tho man.
Nearly everybody is looking New
Yorl1Wards now and then to Gov
Hughes who is keeping very much ou1
OF the active controversies that stir
the Washington President makers
He has not been saying much. since
he declared his candidacy, but there
are reports that he is getting ready to
say something more. He has praised
the President but disagrees with hin
on some points and resentS that the
President is trying to prevent his NOM
ination. 1t has been intinatcd that
he might soon have a thunderbolt that
would make the windows of the White
House rattle.
However much this makes the poll
teal world Of Washington vbrat"
with mOrsels of daily gossip it is
hardly expected that those two dis
tinguished Republicans will seriously
clash. Both are men of high charlc
ter, striving for practically the same
ideals of government and, in all essen
tial things. are i'll accord. They may
strive vigorously against one ;,lrtf, -,
as far as matters bedding ~ 10 a
presidential nomination gre concerned,
without breaking amy iances portend-
ing division in the party.
Their. are now really two rival head
quarters in town and the political Wis
itors to Washington are turning their
steps toward one or the other of them
The one is in Secretary Taft's offices;
the other is in the Office Of Senator w.
Murray Crane. of Massachusetts. at
| the Capitol. The field of candidates,
excepting possibly Gov. Hughes, have
| managers at the Capitol, within ear
shot of Senator Crane, who is the adj
| wiser of them all and who keeps in
| touch with most of the important
movements. Both sides have many
| men travelling to and from about the
| country, sounding the sentiments of
| communities and helping along ar
| rangemcnts for the holding Of con-
ventions where delegates are to be
| chosen.
The first clash came in the Florida
! convention the other day, when Il
| rlnnp convention was held. which
| means, t;.at lhrre will be coateSting
| d"leg.iti,ns ii ten men each from that
! state before Tho next National con-
vent;on Washington hears very con-
! fitting reports as To- whether the TAFT
| or ai,ti-Tafi delegates were the reGu-
| lars Eut trained observers from each
! side we're pre sent and detailed reports
| HAY. been brought to Washington :oi'
future reference whenever the Rcpub-
| lican Natiraal Comrnittce is ready to
| enter upon its task OF making up the
| temporary roll Of TIE convention.
| Such contentious are easier in tn"
! South tE;tl cl4nWhere, because the Re
publican. party is in very great
minority there. It's voters comprise
| but few V hiie men. most of
| whom AZ. ,i.iic. Holders or as
| ujrants for oliceS- and the rest
| arcr negroes. Therefore the pros
| peut i; for q series of very tui bu'cnt
conventions in that section and upon
the outcome Of the conventions anu
the subsequent decision OF the Repuh-
lican National Committee as to which
are the regular delegations. much will
depend as regards the nomination. If
b., Tat laIa declared the
regular delegates Mr.. Taft will be
given a great advantage in securing
the nomination. If they are not de-
| ciarcd the regular delegates nc VIII De
| at a great disadvantage.
| 1t is I, question whether the country
outside of Washington is as muc'l
| absorbed IS people here are. about
what is going on. Usually the country
gets interested in political contests
| much later than d. the Washington
politicians. Fer politics is largely the
| business; Of II big class of residents
| in Washington. whereas the country
! outside of Washington is much more
| Interested III something else and takes
! up politics only when the time has
come Io- its decision To be registered
| ami fn- Washington to be Informed
/ what the country wants done here.
! The period Of Congressional speech
making on political topics. however,
| has hardy begun, because everyone Is
more interested in The tactics of the
| industrious and determined campaign
ers There is vet plenty of time for
the spcechmaiiing and Congress even
tually will talk politics till the country
| +i,-l, Womb fond IN -
thing else
| Adjut;,nt General Farnham has
! been in Washington several days on
| business connected with the National
Guard of Maine. His many friends
here We're pleased To see him. He is
| one Of the most efficient and pOpula,
men in the service and no man Of the
Civil War had better record than he.
! Hon George Is. NenpnlSton and wifi
! of Boo.hb Harbor have been here
several days. They have made a
pleasant trip through the South. Mr.
Remission is in fine physical condition
| ard does not apppar to be a day Older