New-York tribune., 1909-01-01

ments of interest. Wade H. Ellis had returned
from Augusta, Ga. where he went to advise
President-eleCt Taft of the exact situation IN
the state Mr. Ellis brought reply from the
Ohio candidates brother. Advices had been re-
Ceived at Augusta from Washington 10 the eff
feet that President Roosevelt was alarmed lest
the fight between Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Burton
would give Senator Foraker a chance for re-
election. The interest of the President in the
situation. therefore. was intense. In spite Of
this however. il Is said that President-elect
Taft sent word that long the friends Of his
brother believed he could win the Senatorship
he desired that they stand by him. At the same
time he advised that if the cause seemed hope
less he would not have anything done that
might inture the party in the state.
TAFT RELUCTANT TO WITHDRAW
MI Taft with the assurance. his friends say,
81 thirty-fye votes as against thir4,-efgbt
claimed for Mr.. Burton vas reluctant N With,
draw and announced at noon yesterday thar the
hsht would be continued Late in the afternoon
diter haNlng dismissed all OF the state leaders
however he took five-miIe walk. accoupanied
pF Joseph Garretson. the managing editor
Ni'itihnatl newspaper When he returned
10 MS rooms in the Neil House he had deter
mined 10 get out of the race and LET the organi-
zauon leaders have their way. Mr. Garretson
SousAt a conference with Mr. Burton. It lasted
until midnight An agreement was reached hut
1t was not final until to-day when George B.
Cox. leader Of Cincinnati agreed to deliver tne
votes of Hamilton county 70 Mr. Burton Mr.
Cox. although the preverbia! political enemy Of
the Cleveland Congressman declared over the
long distance telephone that having pledged the
votes to Mr.. Taft he would do with them as
the latter desired
Mr.. TAFTS STATEMENT.
Mr. Taft issued the following statement this
forenoon:
My candidacy from the beginning seems 70
have been misunderstood. I have been repre-
sented urging my own personal ambition at
the expense Of Republican harmony and sue
cess. The imputation Is unjust but that Is OF
no moment now. The cause OF it shall exist no
longer. l yield the personal ambition for the
accomplishment Of better and more important
things.
1 have been a sincere and consistent Repub-
lican all my life. l have served my party and
the people of my community as a member OF
the Legislature of Ohio ana Of the Congress Of
the United States 1t was my privilege to be
General Assembly of this state. stood for the
authority of party judgment as formed in pub
lie sentiment and expressed in party caucus.
when John Sherman was sent 10 the Senate or
the United States.
have long had ambition to be a Senator
from Ohio have sought this great honor without
reliance upon the popularity or prestige Of any
other man. and especially without any expecta- =
ton that my motives would be misinterpreted
or nv personal desires would endanger that har
monv among Republicans everywhere which Is
so essential TO the success Of the incoming na-
tional administration
Conditions have now arisen which impose a
higher duty upon me than the qualification Of
any personal ambition. Il is clear that pro-
Ionged contest for the SenatoTship would divide
the Republican party Of Ohio. and am not will
ing TO be in any way responsible for such di
vision.
Although it does not appear at present that
anv Ca ndidate has enough votes to win caucus
nomination and though many Of my friends
insist that ! can and will be elected put these