The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-05-22
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gen.
eral Topics from
the Capital.
May 10, 1908.

HOuS6 udS T6dCu6u kuCCcSSIul
conclusion and after adopting a
Sc of resolutions, somewhat
broad in character but not the
less demOnstrative of the earnest
ness of the participants, the Gov
ernors have adjourned and most
of them have left for their re-
spective homes. That the con-
ference will he productive of good
seems assured. 1t has at least
served as most useful inter
change of opinions and ideas
and has awakened the leading
men in practically all of the States
in the Union to the great import
ance of conserving the natural
resources of the country that NOT
only this but future generations
may profit there from to the full.
While the sincerity of purpose
of the conferees was not marred
by politics aud all seemed only
too ready to cooperate with the
President in those worthy objects
which he laid before the confer
ehce, the meeting was not with
out Its political features. When
obliged to leave the chair, Pres.
ident Roosevelt called Governor
johnson to preside over the meet
ing, and the nimble witted Min.
nesotlan made an excellent use
of his opportunity. His coming
to ashington aud the ability
with which he presided over the
conference, gave increasing i'm
petus to his Presidential boom.
On the other hand, the growing
intimacy between Mr.. johnson
and j. j. Hill, President of the
Great Northern Railway, gave
force to he rumor long circulated
in Washington. that the Mime
sofa Governors political aspira
tions are being backed by the
railway magnate and tlnancier.
Some Of Mr.. Bryan's best and
truest friends in Washington now
deplore the fact that the distin
guished Nebraskan did mot profit
by the example of Secretary Taft
and instruct his advisers not TO
contest the instructions for John
sou in the Minnesota convention.
Experience has taught that moth
ing which MIR. Taft and his
friends have done so completely
served to take the wind out of
Governor Hughes sails as his
letter to Representative Parsons
in which Mr.. TAFT begged that
his ..numerons friends" in New
York would not oppose an in
sfructed Hughes delegation from
that State. Every one loves
fight, and no one more so than
the average American. The fight
which Mr. Foraker was making
in Ohio on Taft has made
Taft famous throughout the coun
try, and his final victory thrice
valuable as a political asset. Per
ceiving that were b to fight
Hughes in New York, the result
would be equally valuable TO.
Hughes, Taft withdrew and lett
Hughes fighting in the air. The
success of Mr.. johnson i'll Mime
sofa. according to certain shrewd
Democratic politicians. WI as
almost equally certain, and had
Mr.. Bryan withdrawn and merely
said that it was quite proper that
Minnesota should give compli
mentary vote to her own Gov
ernor and he would not oppose
it, the "Joknson Victory in his
own State, could not now be
heralded throughout the county
as a great victory over Bryan.
There is no question but that
johnson is gaining strength in
the Southern States. and Senator
Simmons, of North Carolina,
claims that there will be suffi
cient opposition at Denver to pre-
vent the nomination of the dis
tinguished Nebraskan on the first
ballot, and after the first ballot
it will be any mans race. The
Bryanites are just as confident as
ever, however, and the wise polit
ical prognosticatoE has closed
down for repairs, while he waits
developments within the Demo
cratic fold.
The reports that reach here
from New York Indicate great
and pernicious activity on the
part of William Randolph Hearst,
who seems set in his determine
tion to do everything to prevent
Democratic victory. although
his special animus is against Mr.
Bryan, who he claims, repudiated
him four years ago. Mr.. Hearst
still cherishes an overweanlng
am bition to be President, and Is
he has no hobby but politics and
an unlimited purse with which
to further his ambitions, he is
/ factor to be reckoned with. His
present aim is to make Mr.. Bryan
othar raUular namocratif