The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
Letters Encourage His Eff
fort to Break the Solid
South" "
CONTINUES WORK
ON HIS SPEECH
Inspired by Magic Night, the Big
Candidate Waltzes-Plays Golf
as He Awaits Bourne
BY JAMES HAY, JR.

HOT SPRINGS, Va. July 17-Anti-
Bryan Democrats are making grist for
the Taft mill every day, according 10
hundreds of letters which the Republi-
can candidate is receiving here
These letters declare that their writers
are disguised with the nomination Of
Bryan. that they abhor the Denver
platform, and that. in revenge for the
manner in which Bryan and Organism
have been forced upon them. they VII.
support the Republican ticket at tn
polls next November Some OF the let
ters predict that Maryland, Kentucky.
Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia
will 90 Republican
While Mr. Taft IS gratifed as a result
of these letters. he is not confident that
their predictions viii be fulfilled In the
case Of Georgia, he believes that there
the wish Of the disgruutled Democrats is
father 10 their thoughts Of Republican
victory But in Tennessee. North caro-
Ina. Kentucky, and Maryland, the Re
publicans are determined on a hard
hght. Both Mr.. Taft and his advisers
think they have a-Chance 10 swing any
one or all Of these four States into the
Republican electoral column.
To Break Solid South.
To break up the solid South is one
Of The fond ambitions of the Republican
party Of this campaign. and the leaders
have made up their minds to do every
thing in their power to accomplish tais
end. Mr.. Taft in his speech at Staun-
ton on his way here from Washington,
referred 20 what a good thing ne thought
II would be for the country II the
..Solid South" could be broken.
Although signatures on the letters or
the disgusted and disJointed Demo
Gratis have not been made public. Il u
~
come from all parts OF the country
The Republican politicians are not prone
to put too much reliance IN them, Lor
they point out that every election there
are Democrats who go over TO the Re
.publicans and some Republicans who go
10 the Democrats. Thc chief VIsue in
the letters is the evidence 10 the Re
1ublicans that the Democrats have be
gun their campaign by losing some OF
their strength, in spite of their conf
dent assertions Of victory at the polls.
Boils Down Speech.
The candidate spent all this forenoon
IN the hard work Of condensing 1000
words into $500. He wants his speech
Of acceptance 10 be within the $500
word limit. and he was dismayed yes
terday to find that he had dictated II
50 that it contained 10000. Today he IS
boiling II down
This afternoon he VIII have his game
of golf with George Ingalls,, who gives
him a handicap Of one stroke 70 the
hole.
Last night Mr.. Taft waltzed Sud
denly without warning. the spirit Of
romance took possession Of him and
led his restless feet into the maZes or a
waltz II all happened because it was
a magic night Outside lOomed the
black shadows Of the mountains
touched with silver here and there by
the rising moon
Through the windows came the sum-
uner breeze laden with the perfume Of
roses. Beautiful women. the lOveliest
IA the South prOmenaded wide verandaS
or danced in the ball room. Every
where was the light laughter Of youth
The star-studded sky was like fairy
Mr.. Taft Waltzes.
Just as the candidate was noticing all
these things and reminding himself that
love and life we're fair. he heard the
sound Of flutes and the call Of the
vioIins. The ball room became a place
OF enchantment from which waved the
purpIe .pIunes Of revelTy and happiness
Ii was then that Mr.. Tart. carrying his
2gO pounds as lightly as a Wlnd-blOWn
feather. hurried into the bali room,
bowed like a knight OF the Olden, golden
time and prayed from Mrs George
ingalls, the pleasure OF a waltz The
favor was granted, and the two danced
70 the Merry Widow waltz.
Senator Jonathan p. Bourne is ex-
pected here tonight. He will see Mr..
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