The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-05-29
President Taft Is Neutral in
The Senatorship Fight But
The 6. o. P. Waters Look
Very Stormy.
BURTON Is REPORTED
TO FEEL MUCH SIGHTED
Distribution of Patronage
Throughout Ohio Is Said to
Have Made the New Sena-
tor PeeviSh.

tor Peevish.
Washington, May 29-President
Taft has adopted an attitude Of abso-
lutte neutrality in connection with the
senatorial fight which already has be-
gun In Ohio. 1t developed today that
Senator Dick, whose term of office
will expire on March 4, 1911, called at
the White House and asked the presi-
dent plainly what his position would
Buckeye state next year.
The president replied he would keep
his hands off, Then the president
was asked II his brother, Charles P.
Taft of Cincinnati, would be a candi-
date. 1t is the belief of the president
that he will not again be an aspirant
for senatorial toga-
Thus already Ohio is looming up as
the great political battlefield Of the
present administration. Besides elect
ing successor to Dick, the voters of
the state will be required to name a
successor to Judson Harmon. the pres
reelected that will mean he will be
formidable candidate for the democrat
ic nomination for the presidency. And
If. with his success, the republican
party should be so unfortunate as to
lose control of the next house OF repre-
sentatives, condition would be pre-
cipitated which might affect President
Taft's chances of securing renomina-
ton, and in any event would mean a
terrific fight over the electoral vote of
the state for the presidency.
Republican Affairs Bad in Ohio.
The republican situation in Ohio is
bad. There is no real party leader.
A disposition has been manifested by
numerous factions, to get together. and
as the campaign goes on. determined
efforts in this direction will be made.
Naturally the president is one toward
whom many politicians Of the Buckeye
state look to adopt the role of Moses.
Half dozen of them have been here
| during the last few weeks for the pur-
pose of consulting him, but SO tar as
| results are concerned, nothing appears
to have been accomplished.
A good deal of feeling has been Gre
ated because of the failure of the pres
ident to recognize Ohio in connection
| with important federal appointments.
| It is true the president has disposed Of
! five local offices. the majority Of which
were presidential but this is not even
considered a sop by the hungry. He
has indicated he will consult both SEN
ator Dick and Senator Burton in the
distribution of federal patronage.
Dick appears to be satisfied. but
Burton is not. and it is known the lat
ter has been considering the advisable
ity Of issuing a statement saying that
he must not be held responsible for
any federal appointments that may be
made. This would be an extraordina-
ry thing to do and probably would not
lead to good feeling between the presi-
dent and the junior Ohio senator. Bur
ton. feels, of course. that he owes moth.
ing to Taft in view of the support the
president gave to the candidacy Of his
brother in the convention which elect
ed Burton. His relations with the
White House are friendly enough at
the present time. but it is unlikely
that they ever can be Of that warm
character which ought to be the case II
the party in the state Is to work har-
moniously for republican success.
| Foraker May Help Dick.
All Senaor Dick desired was that
the president should be neutral in the
senatorial struggle. It is true that he
and Burton come from the same Sec
ton, but Dick does not consider this a
bar to his continuance as one OF the
representatives Of the Buckeye state
in the upper house of congress. II the
president should get behind his broth.
er, that would mean a row akin to that
Of the celebrated Kilkenny cat affair
which would be most injurious to sue.
cess at the polls In November next
year.
All information that has come to
Washington indicates that Brother
Charlie will not be a candidate, but
there always is the danger that he will
be and certain amount of apprehen-
sion among Dicks friends that he will
shy his castor into the arena at the last
4 moment. Julius F1eischman and Mich
olas Longworth are both regarded al
latent candidates. ad Myron T. Her.
rick ought not to be overlooked. MOL
is it at all impossible that ex-Senato.
Foraker will appear as an aspiran1
should 1t develop that Dick cannot sue
coed himself
That Foraker deliberately woult
press his candidacy next year is moi
considered likely In view Of the way
J In which Dick fought for his re-elec
ton. Whatever Foraker's faults may
be that OF disloyalty Is not among
them. Like all strong men, he be
!. lieves in standing by his friends.
]. Would Like TO 8e INDICATED.
II Foraker. of course, IL not through
with public life IL he can help 1t. Nat
], uYally. he wants vindication. Hi.
, friends tell him he can secure 1
|. through service once more as COVER
nor. He has not made up his mine
. that he will be candidate for the re
publican nomination for the governor
: ship. Should he do % It viii be in
terestinx TO sec the attitude the presi
dent WIN adoul 5-------- - - -