The National tribune., 1908-06-25

in mind when they voted to hold the
convention there. The expenses of the
Denver Convention will hardly exceed
$4,000 or $4,000, which will leave
enotigh to open headquarters and to
keep them running with a good quota
for many weeks.
The Spcllbinders.
Campaign managers have been put
ting less and less reliance on speakers
in recent years and more and more on
careful advertising and newspaper eX-
ploitation of issues. 1t was Secretary
Cortelyou who inaugurated successfully
the practice of using advertising space
in newspapers and magazines. None the
less there is every prospect of much
speaking in the campaign now just
ahead. One of Mr.. Bryan's close friends
here said recently that. if nominated,
the Nebraskan intended to get right
out into the fight at once and TO keep II
up all Summer and Autumn long. As
speaking is his strong suit he will prob
ably be able to set the pace in that re-
gard for the Republicans.
Secretary Taft's running mate, Mr..
Sherman, will probably be the chief Re-
publican stumper. 1t has become almost
a custom among the Republicans to put
the Vice Presidential nominee out into
the country on a special train that he
possible and arouse enthusiasm among
the greatest possible number of voters.
Mr. Roosevelt eSsayed that role in 1900
and Mr.. Fairbanks in 1904. Secretary
Taft stated the other day that he had
not decided whether he would go on the
stump. Few Republican nominees have
done so. The most notable exception
was Blaine, who made a whirlwind
tour much like the tours that Bryan
made 1896 and in 1900.
Speaker Cannon promises to be one of
the star Republican attractions on the
stump this year. He plans to make his
usual tour of close Congressional dis
tricts because he is seeking a reelec-
ton as Speaker of the House in the Six
tieth Congress. incidentally he will do
lot of talking for the benefit of the
National ticket
There has been much gossip about
Gov. Johnson, of Minnesota. who is a
very attractive stumper, going out on
the circuit for the Democratic nominees.
1t has even been suggested that he
might be nominatde for Vice President,
which would make him doubly influen-
tial in speaking roles. In any event the
two parties are likely to be matched
very evenly in their leading oratorical
champions.
VIII the President Go on the Stump:
There is much speculation as to how
ing to take in the campaign. He has
now left Washington for the Summer
and will be at his Summer residence at
Oyster Bay till about the beginning of
October. Up to the time of his depart
ure he could not have been more active
in Secretary Taft's behalf. While earlier
suggestions that he was trying to use
the prestige of his great office to dictate
the name of his successor were most
stoutly denied and denounced, before
the Chicago Convention was over such
statements were openly admitted. There
was no effort whatever at concealment.
If the President cares to continue his
efforts and try to help Secretary Taft to
an election he cando much. 1t is likely to
come down to question whether many
Republicans in the Middle West are
loyal enough to the party and have suffi-
cient confidence in the President to take
his word as to the prospects that Taft
as President will be satisfactory to turn
out and support him by great majorities
at the polls. The Washington politicians
believe that President Roosevelt Will
leave nothing undone to keep these Re-
publicans in line. not so much because
of any serious doubts about the Secre-
that Secretary Taft should enter the
White House with the prestige of most
generous support from the voters.
Predictions are made in well inform
ed quarters that the President himself
will go upon the stump before the Sum-
mer and Autumn are over and make a
series of three or four speeches for the
Republican candidate. Such a course
would be contrary to the traditions and
practices of the White House, but
Mr.. Roosevelt has been engaged in
smashing precedents ever since he was
elected. Before his time it was regarded
as impossible that n President should
leave the mainland of the United States
during his term of office But President
Roosevelt went to Panama and was ac-
tually off American soil for a number
of days. Some of this time, to be sure,
he was on board United States war
ship, which is legally regarded as
American soil. but none the less the
President disregarded the precedents of
his predecessors in Office.
With the Presidents departure from
Washington most of his Cabinet officers
have done likewise and only two or
three of his official family remain.