The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-05-04
By Ernest G.. Walker.
Mail Special to the Advertiser

(Mail Special to the Advertiser)
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The mag |
nanimity of President Taft toward his |
oldtime rivals in the Republican party |
is not escaping the notice of Washing
ton politicians. He seems disposed to
take care of about everybody who en-
tered the lists against him for the nom
nation. First, of course, he took care
of Secretary of State Knox by giving
him the Office which he now holds. Not
that Mr.. Knox, then Senator, was es
pecially to have the place. He would
have been content to serve in the SEN
ate, as he had already had cabinet
honors. And about the same time the
President, then President-elect, struck
hands with Speaker Cannon, another
of the candidates for the Presidential
nomination at Chicago. No two men
ever worked more in harmony during
session of Congress than President
Taft and Speaker Cannon have been
working during the last month. They
are in perfect accord. There is moth
ing the President can offer Speaker
Cannon, who holds the position second
only in importance and power to the
President s Office, although rated in
rank as second to that of the Vice Pres
ident.
President Taft and Governor Hughes
of New York made their peace during
the campaign. Nobody worked more
effectively for Taft IS election than did
Governor Hughes. But, of course, the
President can offer no Office to Governor
Hughes that would be at all attractive
to him as compared with the chief ex-
ecutive of the largest State in the
Union. But the Governor comes down
to Washington occasionally now and is
on intimate terms with the White
| House. He did not enjoy such relations
with the White House prior to March
| 4, and when he came to Washington
| during the last administration it was
| solely because of necessity or because
of a summons from the President, and
| he got away as soon as he could. lie
was invited here on some social occa-
| sions where he would have touched ell
bows with President Roosevelt, but al
ways declined those invitations when
he could. President Taft was no
sooner in Office than certain Washing
ton people learned that Governor
Hughes would be glad to come here on
certain social functions, to which he
had been declining invitations, All of
which was looked upon as significant.
The most obstinate of all the allies
was former Vice President Fairbanks.
He deeply resented the methods ~
which President Taft was nominated,
and he never did get over his resent
ment at methods that were used against
him. But President Taft has been tax.
ing pains to placate even the former
Vice President. Some of Mr.. Fair
banks closest political and personal
friends fell outside the breastworks in
Indiana. They were Senator James
Hemenway, his campaign manager, and
Representative james Watson, who was
defeated for Governor of Indiana
President Taft has offered both of
them good fat Federal offices which
they have declined. He has, in fact
offered two or three different offices to
Mr.. Watson, who is staying in Wash
ington, although his term as a mem
Der of the House has expired. One of
these was the Governorship of Porte
Rico. He offered to make Senator
Hemenway, who was succeeded by 1
Democrat, Minister to China, at $4,000
a year, which place will soon be ele
waited 70 the rank of Ambassador al
$4,000 year, But Mr.. Hemenway
also declined.
Thereupon President Taft has taken
| the name of Mr.. Fairbanks under con
sideration for the ENTHUSIASTICALLY Il
the Court Of st. James. Mr.. Fairbanks
is on the Pacific Coast and will soor
start for a tour around the world, hui
/ Ambassador Whitelaw Reid probably
. will not quit at London for year, ant
there is plenty of time for Mr.. Fair
] banks TO accept the Office if he will