The Washington herald., 1912-01-20
TAFT MEN AROUSED
OVER PROGRESS OF
ROOSEVELT BOOM

|
become aroused to the importance OF
counteracting the Roosevelt movement.
Two Developments Thursday apparently
Impressed the Presidents supporters as
significant These were the declaration
OF GOV. William Z. Glasseock. OF West
virginia. in which he announced that
Roosevelt Is the choice OF the West Vir-
ginia Republicans and the statement in
dispatches from st. Louis that the city
Republican committee had met and de-
clared for Roosevelt by vote of 10 to 10.
| II was recalled yesterday that the ST.
Louis city committee. four years ago,
took the initiative for President Taft in
lust such a resolution as that adopted In
favor OF Roosevelt yesterday.
But the significant thing to the Presl-
dents friends Is that the Roosevelt move
ment IS not one OF those sporadic affairs
without organization or purpose. They
now realize that the coloners promoters
are well organized and that they are
| planting their political explosives here
and there throughout the country with
time fuses attached to go on at the most
opportune moment for imprcssing the
country The spontaneous" character OF
these Endorsements Of Col Roosevelt ap-
pearing periodically Is gravely suspected
by President Taft's political advisers.
The ST. Louis incident has been referred
TO Secretary OF Commerce and Labor
Charles Nagel. who halls from St Louis,
for investigation and report.
Would Counteract Interview.
As TO Gov. Glasscock's interview heroic
measures were resorted to by the Presi-
dents supporters. Interviews with lead
ing West virginia Republicans were given
out last night which Indicate that Gov.
Glasscock. In his pro-Roosevelt interview
did not speak for all OF the leading West
Virginia Republicans.
For example. ex-senator Nathan Bay
Scott, one time a national figure In Re
publican politics, said;
II have not been in West Virginia in
several weeks, but on the occasion of
my last visit I found a very strong Taft
sentiment there. favoTinG the Presidents
denomination. I was greatly surprised
when the governors interview appeared.
and especially 1t the strong way in
which he put IL that West Virginia is a
Roosevelt State. The people Of West
Virginia have a strong admiration for
Roosevelt, and if he were a candidate
for the Presidential nomination that
would bring up the question as TO his
strength. But there exists strong
sentiment against a third term. as which
the great majority OF our citizens would
regard a candidacy on the part OF Mr..
Roosevelt. Although he Is greatly adj
mired and has warm friendships. yet his
candidacr for a third term would pre-
vent his getting the delegation, Of which
Mr.. Taft is assured
Then aud Vow.
he-cx-SenatOr's interview shows him
to nc more composed politically than
he was two weeks ago. Mr.. Scott met
two friends on the street on that occa-
sion and seemed mech disturbed over
West Virginia Dolitics. As the converse
ton Is recalled, ex-senator Scott then
said:
Two months ago President Taft had
no opposition apparently in West Nir-
Ginia. We all expected that our dele
gates would he instructed for him with
out a question. ! told the President az
that time that he was assured OF the
West Virginia delegates. But month
ago l learned OF some Roosevelt senti-
ment developing. ] say TO YOU, boys,
that the best the President can expect
from West Virginia is an uninstructcd
delegation
Presidgnt Taft's friends were pleased
Yesterday over the reassuring tone of
Senator Scotts later advices from West
Virginia.
Confirmation OF Senator Scotts latest
diagnosis was had yesterday from other
distinguished West Virginia sources.
Congressman James Hughes said:
Interview a Surprise.
Gov. GIasscock's interview gave me a
great surprise. There must be some
mistake about it-that Is to say. l don't
see how IT can be authentic. The situa-
ton certainly does not bear out the
statements West Virginia will send a
delegation for President Taft. The peo-
pie feel very kindly toward the President,
and MIR. Roosevelt is not even a candi-
date. | don't see why any such state
ment as that attributed to Gov. Glass
cock should be put forth.
State Chairman V. L. Highland sent
the following reassuring message from
his home at ClarksbuTg. W. Va, to the
Presidents friends IN Washington:
You can put II down just as strongly
as you like that the West Virginia dele
CATION will be for Mr.. Taft. The Re-
pubIlcans of the State generally favor
his denomination. and the sentiment of
the delegates will be responsive, to that
feeling. Col Roosevelt has many ad-
mIrers in West Virginia, but he is not
regarded as a candidate, and as a conse-
auence Mr.. Taft is assured of unanimous
support at the Chicago convention"
The promptness with which President
Tafts friends got busy yesterday TO
counteract the effect of Gov. Glasscock's
statement shows an awakening by the
Taft political advisers 10 the real serious
menace Of the Roosevelt movement
From this time forward, as these Roose-
welt movements develop in various parts
Of the country, they will be given treat
ment by Mr.. Taft's friends.
Taft's Friends ViEilnnt.
II is manifest that the Presidents po-
lItical managers do not intend 10 be
swept or their feet by the action OF To-
cal committees here and there or an in
terview appearing from time to time as
the result Of a well-organized plan to
stampede the country to Col Roosevelt.
II the Roosevelt movement makes prog
ress Il will be over the resistance that
WIN he oficered by the Presidents friends
at every point along its course, from
This timc until the convention meets.
Tho spurts OF Roosevelt sentiment will
mot be accepted by the Presidents friends
as unworthy OF attention, nor win they
he allowed 10 appear before the country
as rejecting any considerable popular
sentiment In the community where they
may appear.
Next TO the Roosevelt explosions In
West Virginia and Missouri, and the
echo In washington. the most interest,"
ing political development was the prog
ress OF the Cummins Presidential boom.
n A. iI,cely that the Iowa delegation will
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