The Washington herald., 1912-02-07
THE POLITICAL PROCESSION
By FRANCIs D. GEssNER.

I ~NNAAN
President Taft would have been inter
ested had he witnessed a little swearing
In function at Cincinnati the other day.
remarked Hugh Nichols. the Harmo
manager. at the willard. ana he explain
ed:
Prescott Smith took the oath as
judge of the Superior Court, OF whicl
both President Taft and Gov. Harmol
nave been members. Judge smiths oatl
was administered with a Bible presente,
oy Judson Harmon when he was on tn
bench The old Bible was destroyed II
the court house riot. and Judge Har
mons father. a preacher. sent new on
to be used for administering oaths ans
for reference.
On the ny leaf in the handwriting Of
GOV. Harmon is the statement that WIN.
lam II. TAFT took the oath as Judge or
certain day succeeding Judson mar.
mon. who had resigned. This same Bible
mas been used by each succeeding judge
smith being the latest. and the good book
Is highly vailed by the court. I may be
pardoned for remarking that It may be-
come more famous as the Bible which
mas had to do with the official, oath OF
two Presidents. and II Judge Harmon Is
elected President this year we will bring
the Superior Court 5IpIe on 10 De useu
in his Inauguration ceremonies, although
II VIII be taken back to Cincinnati,
never fear.
The Superior Court OF that city has
had many notable judges. several Of them,
besides Taft and Harmon, having been
considered OF Presidential caliber in other
years. Gov. Hoadly, who was a Demo-
cratic governor and much discussed for
PRESIDENTIAL honors by the Democrats,
was on this bench. and Senator Foraker
Ike Harmon, served and resigned to
enter active practice and active politics
Alphonso Taft, father OF the President,
was one Of the judges years ago, and he
would have been a Presidential candidate
mad he won the nomination for governor
in 1879"
The Roosevelt Boomers.
Administration people in many States
have had the confidential tip to look up
the political records or those who are
most active in the Roosevelt agitation.
This Information. once collected, may be
put forth in sudden and thunderbolt
fashion at a time when Il win do most
good.
The private argument OF the Taft peo-
pie Is that most OF the vocIferous Roose-
velt boomers have been disappointed can
didates for Office or have been disregard-
% IN the matter of appointment for
others. A notable instance is Edwin
7ims, OF Illinois. who has been active |
md who would be reappointed United |
States Attorney. President Taft did not
approve his conduct OF the office and
named a new man. Then came the Sims
eloquence for Roosevelt. Others like
Ormsby McHarg and Walter Brown. of
ohio. failed to reach what they demand
ID and they hastened to announce the
wonderful regard OF the people for
roosevelt. Every Republican Senator and
iouse member loyal to Taft can point
,ut the disappointed ones in the different
states, and the list when made up will
% long one and tells its own story.
Cannon's Democratic Opponent.
Uncle Joe Cannon merely tilted his
igar a trihe more toward his right ear
Ihen he was told that a Democrat named
rank 7. o'Hair had planned to become
lmous as the Democratic candidate for
ongresS in the Uncle Joe district.
o'Hair lives. at Paris, IN Edgar County,
nd is eager TO achieve dlstiction. be-
iuse brave enough TO run against Can
On in Presidential year. The Uncle
De district, in the general smash-up of
Iings two years ago, remained remark
bly, steadfast, and gave the Speaker
yer 1000 plurality. He has reason to
Cpect a much larger plurality this wear
ld only smiles when told Of a Demo
at who seeks the nomination.
The last Democratic nominee In the
innon district was William L. CundIfr.
ID he indicates no desire for another 4
y at II. Uncle Joe has had nineteen
rms in the House. a record never
lualed, and he promises to round ont
even half century OF Congressional
rvice.