The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-17

sure thing that Colonel Roosevelt can get majority of the Chicago convention. That he will get most of the so-called progressive states in the west seems all together probable, but the big states in the east and middle west will be needed and in these the sentiment seems to favor the President Colonel Roosevelt may pick up a few delegates in New York; Pennsylvania Ohio, New England, Indiana and Illinois, but the bulk of these votes, the way things stant now, will go to Taft. And the President will get some votes from west of the Missis- sippi, too. Altogether the situation as it stands now indicates MT. Taft's nomina- ton.
 What effect this fight will have on the republican chances of success in the gen eral election no matter who is elected is another story.
 In the democratic convention it looks as though there would be at least seven candidates voted for on the first ballot. Those who are practically certain to get votes are Wilson of New Jersey, Clark of Missouri, Harmon of Ohio, Underwood of Alabama, Marshall of Indiana, Foss of Massachusetts and Baldwin of Con necticut. There may be others.
 On the second or third ballots the con vention will settle down 10 business, with the first four real contenders for the prize If there is a deadlock which looks now most likely 1t may be any one of half dozen who will break it. In this connection William ]. Bryan should not ha o1 bo ct1tr nf southern men into the race opens up a regular pasture full of dark horse pos abilities. smith of Georgia or Culberson of Texas either one are of presidential size. The Georgia senator specially would make a splendid>campaign.
 One thing is certain the Baltimore con- vention will be one of the most interest Ing political gatherings we have had in this country for a good many years
 House democratic leaders have made up their minds to strike at the appropra- tlon Tor the travelling expenses of the President They propose to lop. off the s25,ooo which the President is now al- lowed by law to enable him to travel about the country.
 The democrats will do this on the ground that the appropriation was al- lowed by Congress to enable the President to get in touch with the people, but that it was not the purpose of Congress to give the President money whereby he could prom <c the purposes of his own renomination.
 The democrats propose when the uies- ton of appiopriatings the. usual sum comes up simply to omit to make that appropriation. It Is likely there will be sharp fight over the question. but as matter of fact the democrats have the whip hand. If they insist on the sum being left out it doubtless will be left out. Moreover it will not be easy to get the majority of the Senate to vote to restore the item in view of the feeling of many af the Senate republicans toward the administration.
 One of the reasons why the democra ts in the House are not eager to make the appropriation for the travelling expenses of the President is that if the money Is allowed for the next fiscal year Ys can be used in the coming prediction cam paign
 One d4 the amusing features of the presidential campaign is campaign document issued by the Taft managers. It is.an estimate of the President con- tained in letter written by Colonel Roosevelt. then the chief executive. to Conrad Kplirs. Of Helena. Mont. In that letter Mir. Roosevelt said:
 The true friend of reform, the true foe to abuses. Is the man who steadily per ,'everes ains srighting wrongs, in warriug on abuses. but whose character and trainip are such that he never promises what he cannot perform; that he always d little more than makes good what he does organise. and that while steadily advancing, he never permits himself to