The Washington herald., 1909-01-01
MR. TAFT YIELDS
SENATORIAL RACE
Other ASpirantS Also Leave
Field Clear to Burton.
WILL SURELY BE ELECTED
Editor Explains that He
Withdrew for Party Harmony, and
Foraker Pays Compliment to Rep
resentntive from Cleveland in Ten
dering His Withdrawal.

CpluAADuSr Onlo, Dec 3l--lSecauSc uc
demonstrated that ne completely domi-
mated the situation. all rivals Of Represen-
tative Theodore Z Burton for election
as United States Senator to succeed J. B.
Foraker to-day quit the race, and Mon
day he viii be nominated in caucus, and
on January z will be elected Senator by
the general assembly.
c. P Taft. his most formidable op-
pOnent, retired early in the day. Then
Senator Foraker quit. and Gov. Harris,
Warren G. Harding, Representative
Keifer. and DR.. G A l. Reed all with
drew. leaving the field TO Burton. The
settlement Of the present contest leaves
the ambitions Of several OF the leading
Ohioans up in the air.
Dick to Run Again.
Senator Dick. OF course, will seek 20
succeed himself two years hence. and
he doubtless viii find plenty Of opponents.
for there is no announcement that the
retirement Of Senator Foraker and c p.
Taft from the present contest means the
yielding OF their hopes TO go to the Sen
ate
Settlement Of the present contest was
largely due 70 W. II. Taft and to Presi-
dent Roosevelt. who sent word. through
Assistant Attorney General Ellis. that
the contest if continued might disrupt
the party. Roosevelt is said 10 have been
concerned lest a situation would arise
which would result in the return Of Sen
ator Foraker.
Mr. Tnft'S Statement.
In a statement to-day Mr. Taft said:
Il yield the personal ambition for the
accomplishment Of better and more i'm
portaut things. II is clear that a pro
longed contest would divide the Republi-
can party and am not willing 20 be in
any way responsible for such division.
Tribute to Burton.
Ny candidacy from the beginning
seems 20 have been misunderstood I
have been represented as urging my own
personal ambition at the expense Of Re
publican harmony and success The i'm
pUtatiGu is unjust. but that Is of no
moment now. The cause Of Il shall exist
no longer. I yield the personal ambition
for the accomplishment Of better and
more important things
II have been a sincere and consistent
my party and the people Of my commu-
nity as a member Of the legislature OF
Ohio and Of the Congress OF the United
States. II was my privilege TO be one Of
those who nearly forty years ago in the
general assembly Of this State stood for
the authority OF party judgment as
formed in public sentiment and expressed
in party caucus, when John Sherman was
sent 10 the Senate Of the United States.
"I have long had an ambition TO be
Senator from Ohio. I have sought this
great honor without reliance upon the
popularity or prestige Of any other man.
and especially without any expectation
that my motives would be mislnterpreted
or nv personal desire would endanger
that harmony among Republicans every
where which Is 50 essential TO the sue
cess Of the incoming national administra-
ton.
Conditions have now arisen which i'm
pose higher duty upon me than the
qualification Of any personal ambition.
II IS clear that a prolonged contest for
the Seuatorship would divide the Repub-
lican party in Ohio, and I am not willing
10 be in any way responsible for such
division"
In Withdrawing Foraker paid Burton a
compliment and said:
IF nothing more has been accomplished
a lesson OF lasting value has been taught
IN the demonstration that party organi-
zation IS powerful only when Il confines
itself 10 its legitimate business and du-
ties as the agency and representative Of
the whole party, and that Il loses its
force and power when il becomes a per
sOnal asset OF any individual
The secret OF the surrender OF the Taft
people is said 10 be their desire 70 retain
control Of the State organization as
against Senator's Foraker and Dick. Bur
ton. 1t is declared. really has been a big
part of the Taft Organizatio and in fact
led the first revolt against the control Of
the two Senators