New-York tribune., 1908-02-13
THE RESULT Nv OHIO.

The result of the Republican primary cleo
ton in Ohio can surprise no one reasonably
familiar with political conditions and tenden-
cies in that state. The Tribune asserted SIX
months or more ago its belief that on any test
of strength between the Taft and anti-Taft
forces the former would win decisive victory.
We welcomed the calling of a party primary IN
which popular sentiment could make ltselr Ieit
and the issue mistakenly raised by Senators
Foraker and Dick could be disposed OF by
direct appeal TO the rank and file or the party.
That issue Is now disposed of. and the Repuo-
Iicans of Ohio have indicated as plainly as pos.
sible that they stand by the administrator anu
its policies and favor a unanimous lndorseihehl
of Secretary Taft as Ohio's choice for the fresi-
dental nomination.
The Significance of the verdict be made
clear only by retelling some recent poiiucHi ms
tory Mr.. Foraker's opposition to MIR. Iaft
grew ont of the railroad rate bill fight in the
I-nited States Senate In 1906. The senior ONO
Senator stood out to the end against the hep
hnrn measure and was the only Republican
Senator and the only member of the ONO oeie-
cation in Congress to vote against IL. 1 he oh'o
Legis!ature-one branch Of 1t Repuoilcan anu
tho otber branch Democratic-had by prac-
tjcallv unanimous vote requested hlm 10 sup
nort the Hepburn bill. He chose, hoWeVer-as
was his rght-to disregard the opinion OF per
ninp-fGnIDS
turning to Ohio he secured in the fall OF 1906
onalifed Endorsement of his attitude from the
Renublican State Convention which he con-
troIIad with the aid of his Senatorial colleague
The two Senators were encouraged by the alii-
hipuous and evasive action OF the Dayton coh
yention TO think that the party had condohed
their failure to support the adfnlhlsuauoh
policies and when Mr.. Taft. as a prohouhceo
advocate Of those policies, entered the heid iaSI
vear as candidate for the PRESIDENCY 'hey
felt impeiled to contest with him the cohlroi
of the Ohio delegation 10 the itepu"lo"ii va
tionaI Convention. oo
-r1, rrrybuna felt that the convention of 1906
had misrepresented the sentiment of the state
and that on direct issue between ME- ialt
and the Senators the Republican voters OF onio
would sustain Mr.. Taft 1t became e'luthI
early last fall that both the politicians ana tne
nuhIic were disposed to accept Mr IaIt aS Univ
choice for the Presidency, and every develop
ment of the campaign since then mas srehs'n
ened him and weakened the Sehatofial opIoo
ito, The neopIe of Ohio realizing that Mr.. Taft
was in every way eligible as candidate Tor the
Presidential nomination and amply Justhed III
ho,i,,, 10 secure It. while Senator Foraker 5
chance WAS infnitesimal. naturally resented at
tamnts TO hamper the Secretary or war III MS
own state as narrow and ungraclous. ouiei
states had shown spirit OF cordlail'y III eup
nortjng their most eligible favorlte sons anu
Ohio did not want to be put in the posltion Oh
churlishly denying a united delegation TO thor-
! oughlv deserving home candldate- lie oiaAei
T;l-- onnosition therefore melted away 1t was
IN fact. predestined to collapse. and the most
ordinary political prudence would have warned
+bo to senators against the folly Of their e1-
pertinent 49, ,,u.i,e,
We cannot believe the rumor from Nashlhs
ION that Mr. Foraker and MIR. DICK lhtehu u
organize rump state or distrlcl COIN 'en'ioi,s % anu
| -, oon+actino DELEGATES to the national con-
rantion They have been thoroughly beaten az
fer fair fight and ought TO realize that he-
nublican sentiment in Ohio Is overwhelmingiy
! AGAINST them. The American people love
| SQUARE fighter and cheerful loser. Inc TWO
| Senators owe it to the party which mas repeat
| edly honored them to accept It's Sefdic' WI'nou'
| effect the clearly expressed wishes of ohios s
| Ranrhlican voters.