The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-11
WILL TAFT NOT Be
IN THE RUNNING /?
Gloom Envelops White House
Because of Defeat in
Illinois
WILL PRESIDENT BE
ASKED TO WITHDRAW:
Rumors Grow Stronger That
He Is Learning He Has
No Pos. ible Chance
for Reelection
BY JAMES J. MONTAGUE.


WASHINGTON. April io.--Not only
did the result OF the Illinois primary
fatten the Wilson boom completely.
but 1t has set Republicans seriously
TO thinking about a substitute for MIR.
Taft as @. o. p. standard bearer.
1t is now conceded on all sides that
Mr.. Taft has no chance whatever of
reelection. His defeat in Illinois. where
he tuned for help to Lorisner, has
proved that even the corporations can
not help him. Indeed. his alliance
with the interests that Lorimer repre-
sents undoubtedly added To the over
wheiming vote by which he was re-
pudiated. Senator Cullom admits that
his vote. for Lorimer killed his chance
Of reelection to the Senate. Mr.. Taft
has proba bly, discovered by this time
that being tarred with the oLorimer
stick is no more helpful to a presi-
Dental candidate than II is to a sem
atorial candidate.
The gloom that pervades the White
House tonight is deep and dark
purple. Two cabinet members admit
ted this evening that the news from
Illinois had been IL fearful blow TO
the President.
Taft in Black Hunor..
Mr.. Taft himself Is said to be in
one of hts black humors. He cannot
have failed to hea + the talk that is
going round as to his successor as "a
candidate He is determined TO stay
In the game. and as he knows little
Of real politics he Is at a loss as to
how he shall defend himself when
the attack from inside his own faction
begins.
f.,- f.a L, nu
not been asked to withdraw from the
race But the demand will come with
one more such slap asst hat Of the ILL.,
nois Republicans.
Already the party leaders are talk
ing about a compromise candidate
The buxx about Borah, that was heard
un~nth ago, has risen to a murmur.
...u may grow audible at the White
House almost any day.
VIII II Sc Borah?
Borah has the confidence Of the
progressives. though he is reactionary
on enough issues to satisfy the people
that are behind Taft He is one of
the most aggressive opponents OF the
recall of judges II is believed that he
would get all the support that is now
behind Taft. and that he would be
acceptable To enough progressives TO
assure him the nomination.
His State Idaho. has only eight
votes In the electrical college. so his
election would be by no means as
easy as his nomination.
Keeping Taft in the fight means
surely that the progressives will not
vote the Republican ticket in the fall
Taft has aroused deep bitterness
among them by his almost every off,
tial act. Moreover, his manager,
Mckinley, in the methods he has en-
eloyed in counting delegates, has sue
ceeded in raising up an ennity that
nothing can remove.
The Taf,-Mckinley Club. that was
meant for Roosevelt. hit every pro-
gressive East and West. and there
can be no compromise save by put
ting both Taft and Mckinley out oil
the running.
The setting aside of Mr.. Taft. even
at this stage OF the proceedings. is moi
as difficult as 1t looks. The New
York delegates will go to Chicago
tied up with stronger than recon-
mendation. The astute Barnes would
not permit the Presidents name To
be put on the primary ticket
Barnes wanted to be sure. to be
able to stand. His delegates were
chosen.
Will Jump Like Rats.
!, The. solid South will, 1hs. broken by
Ia detection in North Carolina. and
the pitiful collection OF steam rolled
Office houleds from other Southern
states, will jump off the Taft wagon
like rats II they think there Is any
danger Of his defeat.
Against the instructed Taft dele
gatos will be bowling crowd OF
Roosevelt boostehs from the Yves,
the IS delegates from Illinois, and
the great crowd of Chicagoans who
helped TO defeat Taft at the primary
polls. The latter will not be delegates
but they will be In Chicago when the
convention Is held. and no politician
undertakes the effect OF hostile
Icrowd In a convention city