Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-13
Accusing the Labor and Negro
Vote Against Taft.
MAY DRAFT THE PRESIDENT
No Doubt of His Sincerity of Decli.
nation of Candidacy.
SITUATION MAY COMPEL HIM
No Unanimity of Opinion That He
Is Only Man Who Can Save
Republican Party.

Third term talk among republicans IS
growing more persistent every day. In
exactly the same ratio Of the increasing
suggestions that Secretary Tafts cleo
ton may be endangered by disaffection of
the labor vote and the negro vote is the
growth of the statement that President
Roosevelt may have to be drafted to save
the party. though the assumed negro hos
tility at least is based upon what Presi-
dent Roosevelt and not Secretary Taft has
done. This appears to be encouraging
the sentiment, which is daily finding ex-
preston among politicians, that in the end
Roosevelt may be forced to the front II
the impression becomes fixed that Sec
rotary Taft will be weak candidate be-
fore the people.
Without question. the idea is being con-
stantly fostered and disseminated that
Secretary Taft has aroused the antago-
nism of the labor vote throughout the
country, and of the negro vote in states
where il is power. Senator Foraker
has publicly announced that he intends to
make an issue at Chicago of the action
of the "lily-white' faction of republic
ans in the south in discriminating against
the negro voters in the organization. The
administration and the federal oficehold-
ers will be held responsible for this sit
uation and by inference Secretary Taft
Will Dc Charged as dCCcSSOEJ.
Accusing Labor Vote Against Taft.
The letter which was published in Sun
days Star from Mr.. French of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor in New Hamp-
shire indicates the efforts which are be-
ing made in labor circles to arouse hos
tility to Secretary Taft. Politicians de-
clare that IL these two movements assume
considerable proportions and the dimen-
sions can be demonstrated TO the leaders
at Chicago 1t might be possible to prevent
the nomination OF Secretary Taft on the
first ballot and lead to a conference among
the leaders from the various sections.
Politicians are beginning to ask each
other what would be the most probable
outcome OF such a discussion, taking into
consideration the presence in the conven-
tion of the Roosevelt and Taft element
in the party. They say that once the
proposition should be established that
Secretary Taft might not be elected.
would not the inevitable alternative be
that there was at least one man In the
opinion of an enthusiastic faction of the
convention who could be elected-Mr.
Roosevelt? Every ofhceholder and office
holders friend in the convention could be
depended upon. 1t is said. to spring to his
feet and shout loud acclaim Of that
proposition.
Practical politicians hereabouts, do not
entertain for moment any doubt that
President Roosevelt would accept if nonni-
nted in such circumstances. They give
the President credit for sincerity In his
statement made on election night two
years ago that he would not be a candi-
date for or accept another nomination.
At the same time most of these cynical
old political wirepullers say they realize
the limitations of human nature. and
most Of them declare their doubt that the
man has not vet been born of woman who
could resist a situation of the kind afore
described.
# Not Taft, Then Roosevelt.
$50 it seems to turn out" said friend
OF one of the "allies" at the Capitol today.
that everything Is working toward the
proposition that II they don't take Taft
they may have to take me- Well. that
seems to be rather an empirical PROPOSE
ton. Is it not being put forward as in
the nature Of threat to drive republicans
into the Taft column
There is not by any manner of means
unanimity Of opinion among republicans
in Congress that President Roosevelt is
the only man who can save the republican
party next November. Some of the vet
Grams in politics are OF opinion that II the
democrats should slip cog and for once
fail to do the wrong thing at the right
time" candidate and platform might be
chosen which would make it a question Of
considerable doubt whether Mr.. Roosevelt
should turn out to be the savior of his
party.
However opinions vary upon this ques-
ton. In the current political gossip of the
day one can hear a great many varieties
of views expressed. They are all interest
elusive at this time may make their pres
emf atiOn oYcrSa ble from 6ay tn day