The Washington herald., 1908-05-19

WIN there be a preliminary test OF
strength at Chicago between aduninistra-
ton men and anti-administration men,
or the progressive Republicans and the
reactionaries?
This Is a decided probability
The man chosen by the Republican Ma
tional Committee 70 open the national
convention IS essentially a conservative.
He stands for conservatism and has uni
'formly opposed, though not always sn
the open, the radical or reform policies
Of President Roosevelt
In administration circles bis selection Is
clearly recognized as an anti-administra-
ton movement.
It would not be unprecedented on the
part Of the convention itself TO reject
the temporary chairman named by the
committee and elect a man Of its own
choice TO sound the convention keynote.
Gen. Powell Clayton. nominated under
similar circumstances for temporary
chairman. was once turned down and a
Mississippi negro, John R. Lynch, chosen
in his stead. Theodore Roosevelt was a
member OF the convention that established
this precedent
Would ROut Reaetionaries.
Ardent administration men are deeply
displeased, not to say ahronted, by the
selection of Senator Burrows. and not
a few Of them yesterday indicated their
readiness, If it were deemed advisable,
10 give battle TO the forces represented
by the national committee Immediately
upon the opening OF the Chicago eoRven-
ton. They are of one opinion as to the
result of such a battle-that the reac-
uonaries. or conservatives, would be
routed completed and the party thus
shown 10 be IN full sympathy with
Roosevelt and his policies. They argue
that such test Of strength would be
helpful TO the nominee of the conven-
tion-doubtIess William Howard Taft
in giving evidence that the party. as
represented IN convention. favored no
backward step.
A remarkable turn Of the political wheel
has tended 20 draw q line between the
administration men and the Taft men.
though both are working to a common
end. While the selection Of Burrows for
the temporary craftsmanship is obviously
displeasing in administration circles, and
no secret Is made Of the fact, many OF
the Taft PEOPLE are accepting il philo-
sophiCaily, and showing no soreness
whatever. It is taken for granted that
this subject was discussed By the Presl-
dent and Mr.. Taft yesterday
A Bit of Bad Politics.
A Republican Senator from the North
west. himself a most influential man and
a delegate to the Chicago convention, said
yesterday that the action OF the subcom-
mittee Of the Republican National Com
mittee in choosing Senator Burrows. for
whom he entertained the highest respect
was quite inexplicable. As a political
play. IN his opinion, It was sure 10 react
against the Allies, and make the Presi-
dent stronger than before. He regarded
ii as regrettable in the extreme on Tafts
account, as nothing worse could befaH
the 0hioan than 10 be nominated for the
Presidency by q convention not in full
sympathy and accord with the admins
tTati0n. The party must rise or fail on
the record made by Theodore Roosevelt.
In the opinion OF this Senator, Roosevelt
Is to-day the biggest Republican asset,
and TO permit the convention to
be opened by a man out of sym
pathy with his policies would be the
height of folly, and. in HIS opinion,
might tend to invite disaster in Novem-
Der. He did not hesitate to express the
opinion that the administrations real
friends would be more than justified in
setting aside the choice OF the national
committee and substituting temporary
chairman Of their own liking.
RfdicuIed by Senator scott.
Senator Burrows insists that the honor
came TO him wholly unexpected. Senator
Scott, although warm in his approval Of
the selection, ridicules the idea that he
is individually responsible for il. He
points TO the fact that the subcommittee
is composed OF seven members, and that
in the very nature Of things one member
could not dictate such an appointment.
He says that the entire subcommittee
came to the conclusion that Senator Bur
rows was eminently the man upon whom
the honor could be fittingly bestowed, and
one from whom most capable and i'm
partial service could safely be expected.