The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-01-23
Politicians Have Already
Started Campaign Four Years
Ahead of Election.
PECULIAR COMBINATION OF
CONDITIONS THE CAUSE
Two Men Whose Names Are
Linked With Presidency
Are Abroad.
BY RALPH M. wHITEsIDE.


! BY Leased Wire TO The Tribune
, WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-For the
first time IN the history of the United
| States national campaign has started
| practically four years ahead of the cleo
| ton. A peculiar combination OF condi
tions has made this the case bat strang
er still, two OF the men whose names
are linked with future possibilities are
at present in the jungles of foreign
lands-Tbeodore Roosevelt In the wilds
of darkest, Africa, shooting lions and
elephants, and William Jennings Bry
an in the soitudes of South America
eXpounding principles, absorbing Latin
| American political ideas and issuing
random bulletins which may or may not
have to do with 1912.
| Clearing House for Ideas.
The conference Of the governors here
| this week came at a psychological mo-
ment and it made Washington the clear
ing house for presidential ideas. But
I wish it distinctly understood that not
single governor so far as | know
made din open statement as TO the sue
ccssor of Mr., Taft. There seemed to be
a tacit understanding, sort ofpolitical
| free masonry which made plain talk
unnecessary
The governors who assembled here
constitute body or statesmen who will
exert a dominating influence upon the
selection of candidates. Generally
speaking, thcv are broad men-meu of
energy and with ideals as well as ideas,
They have the respect of their people
and several Of them whose names are
| household words have the respect of tho
entire nation. Each governor was will
| ing to talk but not about the next presi-
dent. Among themselves they dis"
cussed irrigation, extradition, centraii-
Zation, mining, women S suffrage,
drama, divorce, con nservation. waterways
improvement, cost of living and many
other things.
Would Not Talk Politics.
Governor Harmon Of Ohio was will
\ ing TO speak of the increase N prices.
but not the next president. Governor
Shafrotb of Colorado would talk Of con
servation and irrigation. but when |
! suggested that~the west ought TO have
| representation at least in the vice -presi-
dency he assumed an abstracted air and
| fell mute. Governor Saunders dehv-
] cred an ardent discourse TO me on the
necessity of having swamp lands drained
III his state, but when | suggested that
! the south wanted n show in the nation
III politics. he veered to the need OF har-
Dor improvements: Governor Brown of
Virginia expressed deep and abiding
interest IN the good work Of guberna
torIal conferences, but was silent upon
national politics; Governor Wilson of
Kentucky was willing to deliver
lengthy homily upon the needs of un;.
form laws and the immense growth OF
Kentucky, but even failed TO respond
to the question of tho next president.
And thus ii ran lnterminably.
Activity Beneath Surface.
Bnt underneath the surface there was
activity. Many of the men who were
present at the governors conference
have been mentioned in the past few
days for the high office of president,
The declaration of Governor Hughes
that he would not be candidate to
clause that he would not be a candidate
for the presidency. But as the Repub-
lican party is In bad way IN New
York following graft disclosures. lead
ers believe that unless Governor Hughes
does consent TO be q candidate, that
the commonwealth viii swing INTO De
mocracy.' As nearly as / can figure IT
out the potcntialities on the Democratic
side are Governor Harmon of Ohio. Gov
ernor Marshall of Indiana aud Mayor
Gayuor OF New York City the last
uamcd of course, not being here. Gov
ernor Shafrcth has many supporters
throughout the west who think he IS
due for higher things: Mr.. Shatroth
served several terms IN congress and
proved himself man for. his people
Texas has been clamoring for represen-
tation. which leads to the belief that
Senator Culberson may aspire TO the
vice.presidcncy. Senator NewlandS or
Nevada is another legislator who Is
spoken of for future honorS. Another IS
Senator Gore Of Oklahoma And now
we again have the name Of William
Jennings Bryan, for it happened that
coincidcnt with tho conclave of the
state executives the story came out OF
the west that Mr.. Bryan would accept
another nomination.
Position of Taft.
President Taft has announced that
he would have pledged measures cn'
acted no matter whether II annihilates
his chances for another term or not,
which shows that he already has hls
mind made UP. President Tart is pow
tho vortex of three movements, each OF
which bears upon presidential .posSlhlll-
tics. First OF these is the insurgcnt
fight: second, the Balinger- Pinchot
with lis many ranuficatlous;
third, is the legislation planned and
urged by him as the result Of the last
Republican national platform.
Aside from President Taft, Colonel
Roosevelt is always available timber.
so far as certain ardent supporters are
| am waiting daily Tor Sen
ator Jonathan Bourne to launch new
series of his t'Second elective term
homilieS for which hc is justly cclebrat-
ed. Governor Wilson has been men
toned.
John Hays Hammond Figures.
There is another name looming high
4. -. t, Il nv
pf Representatives james 1awney OF
NJ MinncSnfa, tho man who VIII likely