Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-02
c.. O. P. OLD GUARD
IN FULL CONTROL
Lays Plans to Name Reactonay Republican Presder-
hal acknowledgements Fail to Develop
Leadership in National Affaixs.

in doubt for some time 10 come There
are no safe bets TO be listed YET awhile.
rhere is not one outstanding figure
welt or Blaine or Grant toward whom
IN" party might naturaliy turn in the
T present situation. There is Judge
men OF presidential caliher. and there
is Elihu Root. another OF that type. bu,
there Is scarcely Republican in
Washington who would he willing t."
vote for the nominations 81 any one of
the three. Taft is out of it for many
reasons. the most importan; being that
he is now lending his support to the
foreign policies Of a Democratic Pres
iden, Hughes was never weaker 20
litically that lie is today. and Root is
too old. aside from other disoualify-
ing circumstances.
Must Bring Ont New Mnn.
Some new man undoubtedly VIII he
brought forward at tho proper time.
man aEains; whom little can be said
even though as little may be said in
his favor. 1t seems certain that Ohio
VIII be unit behind senator Harding.
Notwithstanding the Tact that the SEN
ate has furnished few successful can
didates for the presidency. BENJAMIN
Harrison was the only modern cxcep-
ton 10 that rule. and he could not he
reelected Indiana is talking much
about Governor Goodrich. hut IT is
suspected that this is engaged in. in
order TO pu; an effective kihosh upon
a II. -
same state. The Indanians would
cheerfully take tho vice presidency. II
Is believed. jus, as they did in the
case OF Fairbanks and Marshall and
many others
Illinois is busily promoting boom
IN behalf OF Governor Louden And
from the impartial reports which come
to town. the Republicans could do lots
worse than nominate him. He has
srsai personal strength in tho Middle
West. and some in the far West He
HIS made splendid war Governor Of
MS state. and. though his congress
.onal career was more or less color
less. he seems TO have grown consid-
crah!y since he left Washington
New York Not In Running.
For the first time in a generation or
more. New York has no conspicuous
candidate for the Republican nomina-
ton. Former Governor Whitman has
successfully eliminated himself His
failure 10 achieve reelection a wear
ago was enough TO put him out Of the
running in i!e;sf. hut his course in aC-
ceptinG corporation retainers since his
retirement. coupled with the charge
mat ne was enEaEed as legislative
lobbyist, has finished him politically
Although New England is once more
IN her old position as the controller
Of Republican legislation in Washing
ton. with the Senate floor leadership
credit. ne has no above board candi-
date for the presidency, unless Gen
erai Wood be credited TO her. Sena-
tor Moses has revealed the interest
ing. but forgotten. fact tina; General
Wood Is a native New EnGlander, and
that he Will be offered such al
though The Yves, claims the honor OF
having developed him.
Field Is Wide Open.
The big fac; is that the Republican
field as is the Democratic field. is
still vide open. No possible candi-
date has pre-empted II, and none is
likely 20 do 50. The convention, which
meets year from now. will doubt
less assemble. with an open mind. hui,
with the Old Guard holding the votes
necesSar. to nominate.
Between now and then the progress
sives may come TO the front again.
There may be a revival of courage and
resourcefulness on their part which
VIII compel some recognition. but as
matters now stand they are out OF the
equation. They have sufficient force
TO create degree OF annoyance. upon
occasion. but not enough TO max
th themselves formi da bile factor