Fergus County Democrat., 1909-11-23
TROUBLE when
teddy COMES
Large Financial Interests Are Pre-
pairing to Prevent Stampede to
the Strenuous One.
BUYING NEWSPAPERS
Concerted Effort Will Be Made to
"Muzzle" Press of the Nation
Will Never Work.

Washington, Nov. 18-Seasoned
politicians are looking forward to an
internal conflict in the republican
party in the next three years tha
may rend the organization, accentuate
the conflict between "radicalism" and
so-called "reactionary tendencies" and
possibly elect a democratic president.
The far-seeing politicians in the
republican national organization af
feet to believe that Mr. Roosevelt will
return from his African trip charged
with political possibilities, that he
will be welcomed by a noisy popular
following which may seek to carry
him On the crest of great radical
uprising into the White House again.
Will Combat Him.
But the most interesting feature Of
a possible situation is the knowledge
that there is we'll organized move
ment in business circles to combo,
any popular move looking to the re-
investment of Mr.. Roosevelt with
presidential honors. There can be no
possible doubt that powerful financial
and transportation interests allied
with certain important political in
terests in the republican party have
determined to prevent Mr.. Roose-
velts return to power. In carrying
out their plan money will not be
spared.
Subsidized Press.
Plans for subsidizing newspapers
and newspaper writer's, for the out
right purchase of important news
papers, the influence Of which for geo
graphical reasons may be desired, and
organization down to precincts, have
been laid. There is reason to be-
lieve that the conrol OF one or two
large newspapers has already been Sc
cured, and there are indications that
at least two or more great magazines
have been taken over and carefully
sterilized to render them incapable OF
future radical tendencies such as have
characterized them in the past.
latt Safe and Sane.
President Taft's administration is
not all that is desired by the Inter
ests." 1t is admittedly an improve
ment over Roosevelt's from the view
point of the safe and sane" business
or corporate interest. But Mr.. Taft
has program Of corporation legis-
lation that does not present pleas
ing prospect to the monied class. Be-
sides, his popularity is admittedly on
the decline, especially in the west and
middle west If the next house OF
representatives. should happen to be
democratic, as now appears to be
probable, it will serve to still further
impair Mr.. Taft's availability as the
republican nominee for 1912. One ol
the presidents closest official advis-
ers, who was in the Roosevelt admin
istration, declared day or two ago
discussing the prospect, that if the
next house should be democratic ii
would mean the nomination of RooSe.
velt.
How Taft Feels About 1t.
President Taft's friends are moi
unmindful of what is being ferment
ed by the Roosevelt partisans They
are viewing the growing movement
askance. While President Taft ha.
not expressed himself to anyone or
the subject, SO far as can be learned
he probably takes the view expressed
by one of his cabinet officers thi
week, who declared that he did no
believe former President Roosevelt
could afford to permit his name to b.
used against Mr.. Taft's reelection
since President Taft was put int,
the White House by the activity O
President Roosevelt and his unspar
ing use of the federal patronage
But it is known that the president
friends are taking nothing for grant
ed. They will be on the alert and
is expected that President Taft
friends will combat any movemen
to deprive him of a denomination
The outcome of such a struggle it
admitted, would be doubtful.
Undoubtedly Mr.. Roosevelt woul
have behind him more noise an
shouting, but it is a question whethe
in the final analysis he would have tn
votes. AS between the two me
President Taft would probably
able to command the support of tn
commercial and financial interests an
he would have the great federal ofhc
holders organization extending I
every rural route in the Unite
States and responding from the r
motest corner of the United States !;
it did little over a year ago to non
inate Mr.. Taft, whenever Frank l
Hitchcock, sitting at the head of II
postofhce department in Washingto
touches the button.
Converting Newspapers.
But the movement in financial al
commercial circles to prevent the r
turn of Roosevelt to power is not Il
incidence of the threatened Roos
velt-Taft strife. 1t has more ia
reaching purpose. Undoubtedly the
is growing feeling among the gre
interests that politics should be co
trolled in the interests of busine