The Washington herald., 1908-05-22

Will Taft be able % hold IN line the
delegates instructed for him whose seats
are not contested. and viii a majority Of
the contested cases BE decided in his
favor?
Upon an affirmative answer to these
questions depends his nomination for
President by the Republican national
convention at Chicago.
Nobody disputes the fact that the Sec
retary Of War is far and away in the
LEAD. His success is generally expected.
But it IS not as yet altogether a fore
gone conclusion.
TIE talk Of renominating 5 Blosevelt
will not down. It comes now every day
from quarters entitled 70 a hearing. The
number Of Republicans who believe that
It would be the part Of political wisdom
TO renomlnate the President. In that his
election would be a certainty, is not de-
creasing. but probably increasing. AS
Congress nears adjournment and men,
bers turn their thoughts homewaTd. with
hard campaign confronting them. and
more or less doubt as to the outcome,
they are disposed 70 forget grievances
treasured up against Roosevelt and see
in him the one man who. il nominated,
would prolong their political lives beyond
peradventure.
Nobody questions that Roosevelt would
win. Everybody has a doubt. pronounced
or concealed. whether Taft could win.
Not so much Importance Is attached TO
the negro disanection as formerly. be-
cause Of the belief that this vote can
easily be handled; but the fact that
union labor is unfriendly toward Taft
continues 10 cause much concern. and
there are deep misgivings touching his
ability to carry BIS own State. owing to
the family row that, temporarily. at
least, has torn the party asunder. Then,
beyond this element Of uncertainty, not
to say weakness. the fact that Secretary
Taft. even within a month OF the con-
ventiOn. is without a popular enthusi-
astic following causes additional appTe-
hension. The administration OF office
holding methods employed TO secure
delegates have been most effective, but
there is more or less fear of what is
termed "a forced nomination" The So
called allies are citing political history to
emphasize the danger of it.
Would Theodore Roosevelt accept Il he
should be nominated? In spite of asser-
tions TO the contrary. it is the belief of
Republicans Of high degree that he would
find himself in duty bound 10 accept
Having steadfastly and stubbornly re-
sisted all efforts to make him a candi-
date. having twice solemnIy assured the
country that he was not, and would not
be a candidate, and having used every
proper means IN his power TO bring about
the nomination of the man he regards as
most available and best fitted to lead the
campaign-if, after all this, the conven-
ton should set aside everything that has
been done and persist in naming him, he
would, Republicans declare, accept the
action as a call from the country which
he could not patriotically disregard.
Ehe PRESIDENTS Son-in-iaW, the hon
Nicholas Longworth. has not hesitated to
tell his colleagues in the House that Mr..
Roosevelt would unquestionably reject
the nomination and refuse to run, but
regardless of this direct assurance the
opinion just given is strongly adhered to.
Win the instructed delegates be true
to their pledge? VIII they stay put?
Speaking of them as a whole. this is ex-
eeedingly doubtful. It is almost inevita-
bic that no inconsiderable number of them
will utilize an opportunity on the first
roll call TO put themselves on record as
favoring Roosevelt as first choice. 1t
need not be surprising if breaks in in
strueted delegations be announced before
the convention assemblies. Such breaks