The sun., 1909-12-09
OHIO MENAT THE WHITEHOUSE
LUNCHEON AND DINNER THAT
SUGGESTED Politics.

Charles =. Taft, Herrick and vorys
were There-Nstien That n Gov.
Harmon Is NEGLECTED. re May Become
Democratic Candidate Ter President.
WASHINGTON. Dec. s.--President Taft
had some guests at iancheon aud at din
nor to-day whose presence suggested
politics. Ths Presidents brother. Charles
p. Taft OF Cincinnati. Myron +. Herick
OF Cleveland. former Governor OF Ohio,
and Arthur |. vorys OF Lancaster. who
managed the Buckeye State end Of Mr..
Taft's campaign, happened In about the
same time. Charles p. Taft said be-
merely dropped in" and his brother
wouldn't let him stop at a b oteI: MIR.
Hcrriok got into tho Executive Mansion
so mysseriousty that no one knew IL for
long time. and Mr.. vorys said he did not
know the two others were in Washington.
IL Is not long. however. before the
Republican party In Ohio will have TO
name men for three important positions.
just now there isn't any chairman OF the
Republican State COMMITTEES. no one has
been selected for nomination as the party's
Gubernatorial candidate, and Senator
Dick. whose term will expire in 1911, hasn't
received the endorsements OF every one.
especially every one at the White House
to-day.
The President. Il is known. is not par
ticularly fond OF politics. but there are
elements In the Ohio situation which COM
pei him TO take keen interest. Judson
Harmon. the Democratic Governor OF
Ohio. In likely to become the nominee OF
his party again. He 10 regarded asa
strong man and has been declared even
by Mr.. Taft himself. to have been a good
Governor. Therefore he 10 giving tho.
Republican leaders something to think
about.
There is widespread opinion that IL
Mr.. Harmon is reelected Governor Of Mr.,
Taft's own State he will become the
candidate OF the Democratic party for
the Presidency In 1912. There has bcen
much talk along this line, and while Mr..
Bryans hen on the candidacy may not
have been satisfied by his three success
sive defeats there may come a time when
he will refuse TO run. With the death OF
Gov. johnson OF Minnesota. one Of the
men who might have received that nomi-
nation. Harmon's chances for the Demo
cratic nomination have increased de-
cidedly
Ohio Republicanlsm has not recovered
fully from the fights which racked it IN
the last few years. The faction OF former
entirely. and u the Presidents brother
decides that he wants the toga now in
the possession Of Charles Dick the robe
Of peace which now reposee over part OF
the faithful OF Ohio PROBABLY will be torn
still more. It was pointed out to-day, In
view OF these circumstances. that 1t was
up to the Republican leaders 60 get busy
with Ohio. The Republican party will
have to select a very strong man TO run
against Harmon, whose advantage has
been increased through the fact that he
Ia a Presidential possibility. Charles p.
Taft doesn't want the Governorship Of his
State. or at least he didn't not very long
ago. He is said to be anxious to enter
the United States Senate. Ex-Gov. Her
rick, those who know declare. 10 NOT
likely to be the man. From what is said
here James r. Garfield. former Secretary
Of the Interior and son OF the late Presi-
dent OF the United States. stands better
chance than anybody to be chosen a.
Harmon's rival for the Governorship.
Among politicians the opinion prevails
that IL the Republicans should fail to garry
Ohio in the Gubernatorial free for all
President Taft would be placed in an
embarrassing position politically. The
Legislature which viii choose q successor
20 Senator Dick will be elected early next
year. and therefore IL behooves the lead
srs 90 start to work at onoe. A luncheon
in the White House might be made q
fitting place.
According to those who understand
tho Presidents attitude no 10 disinclined
to take an active part at this early day
In the campaign for the selection Of a
Republican candidate for Governor OF
Ohio.