The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-06-04
President Has Determined to
Act the Part of the Dicta-
tor at the Next Republican
Convention.
DIPLOMACY TO TAKE
PLACE OF STRENGTH
Faction Which Supported
Sherman at the Last Con-
vention Still Gives Its Sup
port to James"
tNational News Association

tNatlonal news ASSoclatiOnv
Washington, June 3.-Following in
the footsteps of his predecessor, Theo-
dore Roosevelt, President Taft has de-
termined to act the part of dictator
at the next Republican convention.
In the case of Roosevelt, the big stick
welded it's force in behalf Of William
Howard Taft for the presidency and
the issue was successful. notwith-
standing great deal of opposition. In
the case of Taft diplomacy will take
the place of force, the issue being the
selection of vice-president or rum
ming mate for Mr.. Taft in 1912.
At the last convention, Roosevelt
and Taft opposed the selection OF
James Schoolcraft Sherman for the
nomination, but were
unable to stem the tide in his favor.
The same forces which controlled the
destinies then hold the balance OF
power now, and are just as strong for
Sherman for a second term, should the
Republican ticket, headed by Presi.
dent Taft, be the choice OF the party,
as it was in the stormy days OF 1898.
From present indications, 1t is gath.
cred that. should President Taft at
tempt to dictate to the leaders OF the
party successor to Sherman, the
issue might cause great flare back
against him, in his attempt to obtain
the denomination.
Hammond 10 Anxious.
The gossip originates from the close
friendship of President Taft for John
IYar II = l..S
position to Sherman as a running
mate in the next campaign. Ham
mond, it is known, is very desirous OF
becoming president of the United
States senate, having made bid for
it during the campaign of 1908. when
his candidacy was announced at Chi
cago.
Since those days, Hammond has
made himself solid" at the White
House, being one of the closest OF the
Presidents friends. The President
has reciprocated Mr. Hammond's
friendship in numerous ways, the lat
est was the appointment of Hammond
as special ambassador of the United
States to the coronation of King
George of Great Britain. Still greater
honors, it is believed. the President
intends to show his friend by making
him his running mate in 1912, IL it is
within his power to do so.
According to political gossip, this
will not be an easy matter for Pres
ident Taft to do. for the possibility
still exists that Mr.. Sherman may run
again for the vice-presidential nomi-
nation, Notwithstanding his quoted re-
marks of some months ago that he
did not intend to become a candidate
again. Then too, the progressive
wing of the Republican party have q
candidate of their own whom they
would like to see either as President
Ior Vice-President, Senator Albert S.
Cummins, of Iowa. Cummins, how
ever, has little relish for the Vice
Presidency, his ambition being to be-
come President. Other places on the
Republican ticket are not to his lik-
ling, he preferring to remain as Sen.
ator from Iowa. rather than to ao,
cept any other berth short OF the pres
idential nomination.
To Have Fight.
Even President Taft's friends admit
that they will have a most determined
fight on their hands at the next ma
tional convention. The standpatters
are not over-enthusiastic In offering
second term to President Taft, being
opposed to him for many reasons, and
in this respect are quite as vigorous il
their opposition as the insurgents.
Consequently even at this early
date, Taft's friends and enemies are
getting together and some talk Of com.
promise is drifting around. Hence. it
| is whispered that Senator Cummins
! is the most likely man to be selected
as a. compromise candidate for vice
president, although the place is not
one that he would desire.
Therefore the road will be opened
| for the selection of John Hays Ham
mond as the candidate.
Since his candidacy for vice-presi-
| dent in 1908 was announced, Mr.. Ham
mond has been booming his Qualifica-
tions for the office increasingly, and
now, having the backing of Presiden.
Taft and following in his own state.
Massachusetts, it is likely that he
will be prominent figure In the next
presidential campaign.
Mr.. Hammond's friends are conf
dent that he will make respectable
showing in the Republican convention.
| He is at present president OF the
League OF Republican State clubs. tho
membership Of which has affiliations
throughout the country. and he has
done much TO keep that organization
alive especially In = financial way