The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-03-02
Interesting .Review.Of I
Presidential Possibilities

Naming Theodore Roosevelt as the
strongest candidate the Republicans can
nominate, what is styled candid and
cold blooded survey OF the present poll
teal situation" is being widely circulat-
Ell from New York in a pamphlet entitled
"A Democrat, LaFollette, Taft or Roose-
Welt" While the author refuses to re-
veal his name, on the ground that he can
anonymously be most frank and fair con-
corning the candidates, of whom he per-
sonally knows nearly all-some OF them
very well" he Is believed TO be leading
member of the bar, who was one OF the
moving spirits in the opposition to
third term for General Grant in 1876.
Politicians, who are specializing with in
terest on the source of this mysterious
screed, are inclined to believe that 1t in
dictates a rising Roosevelt sentiment
among professional and business men
here. who are generally endorsing its
opinions and appear not altogether in the
dark as to its authorship.
Harmon Underwood and Wilson with
floss, Dix and ONeal are all treated in
the analysis of Democratic presidential
possibilities that is made in the first
pages of the pamphlet. That Ohio has
been given an efficient, economical and
sound administration by its governor and
that Underwood may go very far II ne
can teach his followers in the House OF
Representatives both discipline and COM
mon sense" is asserted. Wilson, though
impressive, is characteri ed as "trOu-
ble-dinder," and the author declares his
belief in the story that publishing
house, though Colonel Harvey deliber-
ately started the Wilson movement to
help sell it's stock of books by the former
Princeton President.
That the American people, "disapoint-
ed, jaded and eXasperated by the exhor-
tations the denunc.at.ons and the legal
turmoil of the last eight years, would
embrace, from sheer WEAKNESS, any no
minee the Democratic party was likely
to offer them,' is asserted as the mean
ing of the prevalent prophecy by Repub-
licans that the next president will be "a
Democrat" The present Democratic
campaign is said to have not got far
enough along to show that the spell Mr.
Bryan has cast upon the Democracy is
unbroken," while intellectually the De-
mocratic party's faith in Mr.. Bryan, or
the fear of him, is a species of fetch
worship" Nevertheless, it is noted that
most Republicans feel that they have
no easy task 10 win the next election and
that they must present their strongest
candidate to be successful"
LaFollette, Taft and Roosevelt are set
dsputably the only three persons gen.
orally considered as possible candidates
for the Republican party The former
is characteri ed as having much which
passes for eloqueLc &c in the market
place. The author says that he does not
know the Wisconsin senator and that
those who d., say he Is "a much more
sober and powerful person. and has ac-
tually accomplished more valuable
things than he had supposed to be the
case. He adds that he cannot see how
LaFollette can possibly me nominated
or elected by the Republican party.
President Taft is the natural candidate
of his party and has been a conscientious
safe, and on the whole, good presi-
dent it is stated, after review of his
administrative acts That the President
does not seem o be sure of that fact
himself and has been travelling or
campaigning again, all over the country,
explaining, defending ana almost apollo
81 ing for what he has done winding up
by expire ss.ne a doubt as to his own cleo
ton is SCI down as the main difficulty.
Taft has the respect but not the enthus-
iasm o. the people, the writer says and
adds that lit is no. pleasant 10 appear
to crit.'i e large honest, loyal soul
for whom you feel respect, but / have
endeavored to tie candid, to see things as
they are. and We a;e discussing politics
and the STATE of public opinion"
As to Roosevelt taking a third term,
the writer states that he was one of those
who formulated the opposition to a third
term for General Grant and cannot recall
that at that time there was much said
about the danger 90 our institutions in a
third term. Washington never declared
against a third term on any public
ground ana Jefferson refused it only on
the ground OF veGriness and age, il is
pointed cut. 1t is added, what has all
this to do with Roosevelt, a man in the
prime of his years, ten and twelve years
younger resDeGt.v ely than Jefferson and
Washington at Their retire ment, sound
life, temperate in fortune, habits and
everything except oc2as'o 1ally in speech"
RooscveLs position about the Judi
ciary has Been very much misrepresent-
ed It IS ass artcd he has never declared
for what is known as the recall of the
Judges and his complaints of a certain
line Of decisions w,re only such as every
lawyer has made in his line Objections
relating to his last administration have
now been largey ameliorated, the writer
believes, and business men who COM
planned most bitterly then have found
themselves no better off under his sue
cessor. Il have heard some important
men, even in Wall Street. wonder whe-
Their Mr. Roosevelts work of enforcing
the law, and making everyone understand
that it must be o5eyed having been COM
p.eted, he could not now be trusted to