Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-03-27
TAFT LOOKING
FOR MATE TO
MAKE THE RACE
VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
Is Searching Cabinet For
Possibilities

Washington, March 26.-With the
shadow of the presidential election APP
preaching President Taft is looking
over his cabinet with a view to deter
mining who among their number Will
be of greatest service to him in the
struggle for denomination.
AS the republican national conven-
ton draws near the voting population
is separating the sheep from the goats
in the group of presidential possibil:-
tiles, and in no less measure is PEes-
ident Taft. leaning upon his cabinet
members and others to discover who is
able to bear the most weight
Politicians concede that this year
will see one of the fiercest struggles
for political supremacy waged for de-
cades. Realizing this fact President
Taft is trying to intrench himself be-
hind formidable phalanx of support
ers, and to build up an organization
which will be victorious.
Those closest to the president seem
to consider James Wilson, secretary
of agriculture, as the weakest link in
the cabinet chain, by reason of the fact
that his vigorous advocacy of Canadian
reciprocity resulted in a loss for Taft
throughout the rural districts which
has long been Wilson's stronghold.
From political point of view many
statesmen consider that Mr. Wilson's
chief virtue lies in the fact. that he has
never done anything very bad, and has
by plodding faithfulness won his way
into the hearts of the agriculturalists,
but in:spite of this strength it is he
concensus of opinion that his stand
On reciprocity and the Wiley scandal
resulted in his forfeiture of a large
measure of public confidence.
AS lieutenant best fitted to handle
the machine end of the Taft campaign,
Frank H. Hitchcock, postmaster gen.
eral, is being relied upon by President
ing harmony out of the hydra-headei
mass of politics which the convention
will be. His experience as chairman
of the national republican commit
tee has given him such an intimate
knowledge of the inner workings Of
national politics that he will be able
to juggle the organization leaders
with singular ability. Mr.. Hitchcock
has the confidence of party leaders in
southern sections of the country, de-
spite the fact that his resignation as
chairman of the national republican
committee was in line with an avowed
policy of his to break away from ma
chine politics. Secretary of Com
merce and Labor Charles Nagel, who
is also national committeeman from
Missouri, is valuable asset to Taft,
being the controlling force which di-
reefs republican policies in his state.
The circumstances that Secretary Ma
gel is at present at loggerheads with
the German-American Alliance, an or
ganization which boasts the control of
100000 votes, has tendency .
lower the balance on the side contra
ry TO that in his favor
Attorney General Wickersham oc-
cupies a position in political affairs
which must annoy the administration.
The fact that he had no sooner en-
barked upon his political career than
he proceeded to read the progressive
element out of the republican party
deprives him. of a necessary virtue,
namely, ability to coerce the ultra
progressive element and swing it into
line, shoulder to shoulder with the old
guard. Also his "trust-busting" pro-
clivities have won him many an enc
my among business men.
The fact is that the Taft cabinet
taken as a whole, is not tower os
strength to the president in his strug-
gle for denomination If he would
throw Wickersham overheard the ship
would be considerably lightened.
Wickersham is a milestone about the
neck of Taft in his fight for political
existence.