The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-14
CHAPTER xLvu.

counted on generally when in power,
by the Republicans, to make breaks
or blunders when official opportun-
ity is offered as it is now in congress,
have certainly subjected themselves TO
political criticism by championing the
Sherwood dollar-a-day pension service
bill. The Democratic house came into
play pledged to economy The Sher-
wood bill as amended increases the
government annual expenditures
$500 600. To view it narrowly this
thin NAV have been intended as a bid
for Democratic votes and support from
the old soldiers and their relatives but
it can hardly be classed as such because
it goes to such extremes that it is
hardly practical or defensibIe- Thus
do the Democrats aid their opponents.
In the east Speaker Clark is charged
with being a stalking horse for the
Harmon boom. He denies it. Clark
is pretty strong ION his own hook,
weakened somewhat by his unpopular,
not to say dangerous, position on the
annexation of Canada. Clark has at
tempted to explain this by saying he
has been misrepresented- His explain
alton. however, has not overtaken the
original story and the still prevailing
understanding OF Canadian absorption
That Col. Roosevelt. is d popular idol
cannot be gainsaid. Yesterday at Bos-
ton 5000 people crowded and cheered in
front Of the meeting place Of the Har-
ward Overseers as the colonel came
out.
There ne is, Teddy. Teddy, Teddy.
our next president. good old Teddy
n
Roosevelt srinned. then laughed hearth
w as he made his way to q waiting
automobile. Men tried to slap him on
the back. and shake his hand. He
forced his way through, exclaiming,
Hello. hello, boys. How are you
aI1?" As the machine threaded its way
m Boston's State street. the crowd
cheered again and again. and the cause
of all the noise DOTTED his hat, and
laughed happily. Holy Smoke" ejacu-
lated the ex-president when he saw the
crowd. After comforting with several
progressive Republicans Mr. Roose-
Welt sanctioned the issuance of state
roent which includes the announcement
that he h 4 urged Governor Bass of
New Hampshire to speak at Progress
sive Republican meeting in Boston Sat
urday. The conference, it is declared
had no bearing on national candidates
There is a positive and distinct i'm
Drovement in business conditions and
prospectg in New York over the Oc-
tober situation. Mills are resuming.
Four-fifths of the wire factories are in
operation again. Big rail orders are
coming in from railroad companies.
steel construction and iron works are
becoming decidedly active at the low
prices existing.
The stock market is active at the
low quotations. Notwithstanding the
heId-in-check situation on account of
waiting for political actions, business
is being forced into gratifying activity
Taft is not popular just now with
Wall street or the interests. Does
that hurt him in the west? 1t ought
not to with progressiVes. The west
ern conservatives are uniting and in
creasing their confidence in President
Taft. whom they must believe has the
welfare of industry thoroughly at
heart and will do nothing to hurt it,
but everything to promote its healthy
development and progress.
There is an undoubted prevailing
opinion in the public NINA, Whatever
Roosevelt and Taft may think. that
the struggle for party leadership is
between the present and the former
president.
This writer does not believe this is
the individual situation between the
two. but is simply voicing a sentiment
he observes. LaFollette is scarcely
mentioned in Washington or New
York. He indeed shows signs of loss
of temper in the lack of political con-
sideration given him, even by insur-
gents. The Roosevelt sentiment
which the writer believes will never
he crystallized into his candidacy or
acceptance for 1912, has eclipsed La
Toilette and thrown him into the
shade, not to say discard
Taft, in the opinion of these "Remi-
niscences," is steadily growing in favor
and opposition to him is weak unin-
structed variety. Taft, it will be OBJ
served, is not antagonizing the Roose-
Welt faction in New York, for it is
killing off LaFollette and other Re
publican aspirants and not getting
anywhere, because Roosevelt takes the
dignifed and natural course that he
is not a candidate before the next
convention and urges his friends to re-
spect his position and begs them to
refuse to make any attempt to secure
delegates for him.
(Chapter XLVIII Tomorrow
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A BUSINESS BUGABOO.