The Washington herald., 1910-08-19
REPUBLICANS FEEL
GLOOM IN CAPITAL
FOreSee Split in Party and
Roosevelt Nomination.
HARRISONS DEFEAT RECALLED
Old Guards I'm Washington Freely
Express Opinion that OrsanIzatIOn
Faces Worst Condition Since 1892,
When Democrats Forced NOmina-
ton OF Grover Cleveland.

Republicans in Washington who have
an interest in the national success Of
their party freely express the opinion
that the organization has not been in
such a desperate condition since the
gloomy period Immediately preceding the
nomination and defeat Of President Har-
rison. Each day the situation takes on a
gloomier aspect from the Washington
viewpoint.
Republican leaders now foresee a split
In their party and there is not one IN
ten Of them but believes that Roosevelt
Will he a candidate for the Republican
nomination in 1912
Whatever the outcome OF the fight In
New York may be. Republicans here ex-
pect that the rent In their party will be-
come nationwide. and that even if
Roosevelt's friends fail to prevail in the
State convention over the organization.
his friends in the West and Middle West
will taks up the fight for him. and It
situation may be created similar TO that
IN 1892. when the Democrats throughout
the country forced the nomination of
Grover Cleveland down the threats OF the
democratic organization IN New York.
which had declared for Hin and which
protested to the very last against CIeve-
land.
Would Impair Chances.
Such a situation would impair the
chances Of Republican success In 1912
There ane large number Of Republicans
who believe that President Taft could be
renominated even If Roosevelt Is a can
didate. just as President Harrison was
renominated in 1892 over the very for
midable opposition which was conjuring
with the name of Blaine.
But the Republicans who take this
view OF 1t feel that the very thing that
happened 10 President Harrison in the
national election that followed would hap
pea TO President Taft The disgrunue-
ment following the disappointment Of
Col. Roosevelts enthusiastic followers
would probably lead to the defeat OF the
Republican national ticket.
Among the developments that have ac-
centuated the gloom Of the Republicans
Is the result I'm California, which was
surprise 70 the insurgents themselves
While the insurgents expected 10 carry
two or three Congressional districts. they
had very little hope Of nominating their
candidate for governor. They told Chair
man Lloyd. of the Democratic Congress
sional Committee. when he was in Cal
nornia recently that they did not hope
10 nominate Johnson.
The defeat Of Representative Duncan
f McKinlay is a blow TO the admins
tration. as well as TO the Republican or
ganization in the House and 70 the Re
publican Congressional committee.
Blame Political JOnnhs.
There IS a growing demand here among
Republican politicians that certain alleged
political Jonahs be cast overheard. Most
Of the Republicans ascribe their troubles
in Kansas and California and in other
parts Of the West TO the close relations
between President Taft and Speaker Can
non, and TO the retention Of Secretary
Ballinger in the Cabinet. The cry for
reorganization" is being taken I'D here
by Republicans who are classed ordi-
narily as regulars
Representative LOngworth's anti-Can-
non declaration gave much comfort to
this class OF Republicans, and was seized
upon as rather significant. coming from
so close a friend Of President Taft.