The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-21
Republicans Are Uneas oy out.
 Ohio and Indi,
HARMON IS HARD TO BEAT
Wade Ellis Wants to Be Governor of Ohio and James Watson Would Like to Become the Same in
 the Hoosier State.
BY WATTERsoN sTEALEY.

"Gi Go00tN . EALEIs
 Washington, December 20-(special. J. The precarious political outlook from a republican viewpont in both Ohio and Indiana got a few minutes of considera- ton around the White House today Two callers were Assistant Attorney General Wade Ellis, who wants the re- publican nomination for governor in Ohio, and ex Representative Jim Watson of Indiana, who was for many years one of tho leaders in the Fairbanks -Hemenway-w Watson combina- tion of Indiana republicans. MT. Wat son ''got his' over a year ago when as candidate for governor on the repub- lican ticket he was defeated along with nearly every other republican candidate voted for in the state except President Taft
 It was bad year in Indiana for re- publicans and about the cnly man left out of the crash was Senator Beveridge. It was also pretty bad in Ohio, where Harmon, democrat, was elected governor and the name of Taft carried many re- publicans through who would otherwise have been defeated
 The President is told from many direc- tions that things look bad in both places now and that local representatives in each state are Respondent and pessi- mistic- The Ohio republicans would be glad if 8 political star of the east should guide them to deliverer from com bined democrat rule and assure them victory all along the line
 Mir. Ellis is willing to take chances on being elected governor against Judson Harmon who would be nominated by tha democrats as his own successor. If he should win he would stand a good chance of being the democratic ssandard bear CT for President in 1912 Republicans admit that he has made a good gov ernor. one of the best in years It is going to be a hard matter to get a re- publican candidate for governor wbo can win against him.
 President Taft would not give away the identity of Santa Claus to 6-year- old caller today. The youngster was Henry Gordon McMorran, grandson of Representative McMorran of Michigan. The youngster has had ideas of his own
 
 tical as to the benevolent old citizen and wanted to find out first hand from Pres ident Taft Representative Smith of Michigan promised to give him the op- portunity. Accompanied by Mir. Smith and his grandmother, Mrs. McMorran, the juvenile doubter was introduced, to the President He proceeded with grea. sang froid to ask the President about old Kris Kringle.
 Well, my boy" said the President, If you get all you ask for Christmas morning, won't that convince you that there Is a Santa Claus?''
 The youngster was somewhat stunned by this counter question of the Pres ident but was willing to admit that if he got al he wanted it would unques- tionably be a point in favor of Santa Claus in his mind.
 Horace H. Lurton of Tennessee was today confirmed by the Senate as an associate justice of the supreme court of the United States. There was no opposition expressed and the appoint ment went through as a matter of rou- tine. It is expected Justice Lurton will take the oath and sit on the supreme bench when the tobacco cases come up for argument January 3.
 The opposition to Judge Lurton, be- cause of his advanced age and supposed obnoxious labor decisions, flattened out since tho last session of the Senate. The progressive republicans who composed the opposition, examined tho decisions and found them less objectionable than heretofore believed. It was decided to offer no organized antagonism and no senator saw fit to take up the matter personally.
 The fact that the democratic sena- tors were in favor of confirming Judge Lurton' was the determining feature in the situation. Most of the,n were pleased with the opportunity to get a democrat on the bench at this time. believing it is important, in view of the numerous im- portant cases in which the constitution must shortly be construed with reference to the conflict between state and federal powers over commerce.