The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-01-12
Washington Letter.
Congressional News Bureau,

One month ago practically all OF
the interest in the presidential situa-
ton was centered in the coming
Democratic National Convention and
who would be the luck y candidate to
pull down the plum. Four weeks
ago the inevitable and almost GER
tain nomination of President Taft
was conceded even by those of his
party who were not his supporters
and many Republicans high in the
councils of their party openly as-
serted that his nomination spelt de-
feat and also that the nomination of
LaFollette or any well known Ioro-
gressive leader would end the kme
way. Today the political horizon
presents different aspect. The
people have sent messenger to the
leaders to reform them as to popular
sentiment and now the African Jun
gle hunter and the Theodore of
Rough Rider fame looms up a con-
spicuous figure. 1t is believed by
many that the tour of Senator La.
Toilette through Ohio, Taft's home
State, was a preconcerted plan on
the part of Roosevelt and the pro.
gressive leaders to drive away from
the president his own people and to
demonstrate to him in his home
State the fallacy of his candidacy.
From the secret information made
public from time to time by Clifford
Pinchot, the presidential right
hand bower, and the attitude OF
Garfield and many others of the
prominent progressive Republican
leaders, it would Seem that MIR.
Roosevelt has again cast his anchor
to the windward and has trained his
guns upon his old home-the White
Home. That Roosevelt is one of the
shrewdest politicians of the day can
not be denied; that Taft is no poll
tician at all his presidential record
gives evidence; but what will be the
outcome even the most far-sighted
political prophets cannot prophesy.
Taft. though troubled and restless.
refuses to begin open warfare against
his old time friend and sponsor and
Roosevelt declines to commit him.
self as to what he will do. He has
placed himself in a very prominent
and strategic position in the eyes of
the country and it is the opinion of
the writer that he is only waiting
tor developments before his voice
will be heard. If he believes that
even though rendered the nomina-
ton he will be defeated he will
gracefully declare himself out of the
race and may assign his reason 4or
80 doing to his opposition to 81
third term tenure rule. Then aa 81
il Mr.. Roosevelt is. confident of IA
election if nominated and the q =
ditions are still unfavorable for tlJy
reelection of Mr.. Taft he will an
nounce himself the chosen prophet
to lead his party out of the wilder.
ness. Hele the political genius of
Teddy shines with brilliancy
and lustre that dazzles and con-
founds. The fact that no Demo-
cratic candidate of those thus far
mentioned for the presidency has
swept the people off their feet or has
hypnotized the party leaders makes
the situation in the Republican
party even more complex. The is-
sue still hangs in the balance and
the slightest OF events may tip the
scale. Some presidents are born,
others are the result of factionaism
in conventions, but be as it nav
time will tell.
1t will no doubt be a surprise to
many to know that the old home of
Francis Scott Key, the author of
the Star Spangled Banner, which is
located in Georgetown, n suburb of
Washington, will soon be torn down
unless through the patriotism of
some good people it may be saved.
The owners of this building have
said that if they do not get Sl5, 900
for 1t that it will be torn down in a
few months and a business house
built on its site. A memorial asso-
citation was organized few years
ago to buy the old building by pop-
ular subscription but in the last few
weeks they have abandoned the at
tempt. For what reason it WAS