The Washington herald., 1908-02-08

in December it was evident that il was
not controlled by the Federal admins
tration. The administration wanted Kan
sas City selected as the place for the
national convention. because In Kansas
City there was supposed TO be an over
whelming Taft sentiment But the com
nittee selected Chicago. and Immediately
there were loud cries from the adminis-
tration quarters of conspiracy" against
Taft. In the first flush OF their indigna-
ton the Taft adherents accused Secretary
OF the Treasury Cortelyou of having in
f1uenced the committee against their can
didate. While the disposition to say un-
kind things of Secretary Cortelyou Is not
as much I'm evidence now among the
Taft people, il is probably not due to
any change of feeling, but to that which
comes from recognition of the fact that
Mr.. Cortelyous influence In the national
committee did not end with his resig
nation of the Office OF chairman. A CCmbi-
nation of Cannon and CortelyOu might
have a deciding influence in determining
the attitude OF the committee in contests
between State delegations claiming seats
in the national convention.
Opposition II JubIIant.
The anti-Taft people here-and this in
Cludes all those who are not supporting
the candidate-are jubilant over the out
look They are claiming that of the fifty
four votes in the national committee.
Taft will have only twenty-three, while
his opponents win have thirty These
figures DO not include Senator Scott, of
West Virginia, whose allegiance appears
to be uncertain. In order to Offset the
claim OF anti-Taft managers. Represent
ative Theodore f. Burton, Of Ohio
among the foremost Taft supporters, gave
out statement yesterday IN which
twenty-three Of the national committee
men were claimed as uncertain and
three AS doubtful, while only eight We're
conceded 10 the anti-Taft forces, and
twenty were claimed outright for Taft
Representative Burtons division Of the
national committee follows:
For Taft-Aiabama, Connecticut. Florida, Indiana
Kansas louisiana Maryland. Minnesota MissIS
sipIa. Missouri, New Hampshire New Jersey, ONO.
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas. Virginia Alaska
District Of Columbia and Philippines-e0
Conceded 70 oprlstlon-ldah0. illinois, Kentucky.
Maine, Massachusetts, New YORK, Pennsylvania aud
West Virgnia-s
Doubtful-Arkausas, California, and South Da-
kOta-3
Uncertain as 90 where they stand-Colorado. Della
ware Georgia, Iowa, Michigan. Montana, Nebraska.
Nevada, North Carolina. North Dakota Oregon |
Rhode Island Utah. Vermont, Washington. Wisc1n-
sin, Wyoming Arizona, New Mexico, oklahoma,
Indian Territory, Hawaii. aud Porto Rico-3
Use of Patronage Anglers.
The activity of Federal officeholders in |
the Florida convention is expected 70 be |
merely a forerunning Of what will occur |
in other conventions in Southern States. |
The open manner in which the appointees
of the President worked for Taft and the |
emphasis which they gave to the admin |
stration's interest in the contest by bolt /
ng the convention when they saw that /
he opposition TO Taft was overwhelming. /
has resulted In some pretty plain talk |
that shows a thorough disbelief IN the /
Indignant denials from administration /
sources that Federal officials are being 1
used in Mr. Tafrs behalf
EX-Congressnan John G. Hawk. Of Ten /
lessee, a prominent Republican Of that /
State, is out with an interview predicting 4
hat there will be two delegations from
to the Chicago convention. one
IF which would be sent as protest
against the activity of Federal Office
holders % bring about instructions for
he Secretary OF War
No Dictation in Tennessee.
The people OF our State won't stand
.or this sort of dictation." declared Mr.
Hawk Federal authorities should call on
heir officers such as postnasters and
'evenue agents" Mr.. Hawk claims that
he number Of special agents had been
increased from 1856 in 1898 to 5000 last
year, and their pay roll swelled in that
ime from 81 l5oO,00O to 100000 Tell me
what this means, this unnecessary in
.rease in spies. detectives. and special
gents2' he asks What is the idea and
purpose of this unheard-of increase in
his kind of officials? Where do the civil
crvice rules and regulations come m. |
when Federal CfficeholdeTs are trying to
un the politics of your State? And why
ont somebody in authority call them
,n?'
Missouri is the next State to hold a
republican convention. There viii be "a
pirited contest there between the forces
[ the administration and those of other
andidates than Taft. Ii was said yester-
ay that while the State convention might
instruct for Taft, Speaker Cannon stood
good show Of capturing a large pro-
oruon of the district delegates.