The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1912-03-27
ROUT OF Taft
A STANG PAT JOLT
tBy winfield Jones.)

Washington, March 27.-The rout of
President Taft in the North Dakota pri-
maries was severe jolt to>fiis man
ayers in Washington, and even they
privately believe that the result proves
that Taft cannot be elected if he is
nominated at the Chicago convention.
Roosevelt managers here emphasize
this idea and about the headquarters
of the democratic presidential candi-
dates emphasis also is given it. The
fact that on the basis of the first H.
900 votes in North Dakota from which
returns were had, President Taft got
about one n forty was the subject of
much fell, tation among the demo
cratic leaders about the headquarters
and at the capitol
Naturally, democratic asseyerations
were fervent that it wuold be good
fortune for the democratic party if
the presidents denomination was fore
ed on the public by Manager McKin-
ley and his lieutenants.
At the Roosevelt headquarters there
is frank admission that La Toilette car
ried North, Dakota, but whatever dis
appointment might be felt because of
this was completely over-shadowed by
the feeling that the lesson of North
Dakota as to the weakness of Presi-
dent Taft with the rank and file of
his party would not be lost on the vot-
ers from this time forth, and that it
would not be lost on the Chicago con-
vention.
"Is it possible" asked the Roose-
velt leaders, that the republican party,
with the North Dakota result before
it and the utter weakness of the pres
ident disclosed, is going to Chicago
next June and nominate man who
will drag the party down to certain
defeat?
The weakness of President Taft, it
IS pointed out by Senator Dixon and
by Ormsby McHarg, as revealed in
North Dakota, extends to many other
states In Montana. it is said, Presi-
dent Taft has even less strength than
in North Dakota. In Washington he
is as weak. So also in Oregon. Like
wise, in practically all the border
states Mr.. Taft has tremendous
tide of opposition from republicans Of
all factions and varieties.
The reputation Of President Taft
in North Dakota can best be inter
preted when It is recalled that in 1896
that state next to, Pennsylvania gave
the highest pro rata part of its vote to
the republican party. In 1900, only 81
per cent of the people voted the dem
ocratic ticket. In 1908, President Taft
5 carried the state by substantial ma
jority. In other words, President Taft
has been utterly repudiated in a rock
ribbed republican state. 1t is not Q
democratic state or doubtful state
considered in the light OF presidential
elections since 1896.
1t is pointed out that if states like
Oregon, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and
New Jersey, which have presidential
primaries, by their returns later on
emphasize the weakness of President
nroft o,,o,, ero ot;o,o1lxy oe much q c the
North Dakota outcome has emphasized
it, his candidacy will have been made
impossible. There will be nothing tC
it then, but Roosevelt.
The only factors in the North Da
kota contest were La Toilette ant
Roosevelt. La Toilette won easily
but the Roosevelt forces made a goot
showing considering the fact that La
Toilette visited the field in person, and
made a personal appeal to the voters
and considering the fact the Roosevelt
forces have by no means made the
effort that has been made by the La
Toilette leaders in this state.
Is it not conceivable that the Taf
managers believe the republican party
with President Taft at the head of i
can carry state like North Dakott
in the face of such a scathing rebukt
of the administration? The republi
can leaders do not seriously expec
Mr.. Taft, if he should get the nomina