Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1911 — WILL IT BE TAFT? [ARTICLE]

WILL IT BE TAFT?

President Taft has startled his party by practically admitting his belief that be cannot be re-elected. It does not require a close observer to see that already. It is as plain now that Taft can’t be elected as it was in 1909 that the democrats would win the house in 1910. Mr.

Taft was never the choice of his party nor of the people. He was nominated iH 1908 through the influence of Roosevelt. Roosevelt could lust as easily have-nominated Root or any other republican of national prominence. Roosevelt was at the height of his popularity then and, moreover, he had then what Taft has now—the federal officeholders’ machine —completely in his 'grasp. The federal officeholders have more or Jezs power in all' states, but in the south they are supreme as far as republican politics is concerned. Take Texas, for instance, in the next republican convention it will have 40 delegates. Missouri will have 36. Texas cast 65,666 republican votes and . most of them are negroes. Missouri cast 347,203 republican votes. Four or five white officeholders get together and give the state delegation to any one the administration selects. This condition prevails all through the south. The president candidate his choice to every southern state. Then all that is necessary is to carry a few northern states, and the deed is done. Thus it will be difficult to defeat Taft for a re-nomination if he wants it. He was nominated by methods just explained, with the addbd endorsement of Roosevelt that carried weight in the north. He was elected because the Bryan and anti-Bryan sores in the democratic party had not been healed. If the plan to change the basis of representation in the Republican party Is adopted there is no certainty that Taft will be •renominated. There would probably be a dark horse. It is doubtful if Roosevelt could overcome the third term sentiment, but it is certain that he will not be behind the Taft movement next year. The president’s childish jealousy as exhibited so recently against the ex-president will no doubt be openly resented at the proper time. The president is proving himself an ingrate and his recent reflection on Roosevelt in the steel suit is sure to be resented. After Roosevelt had thoroughly explained his attitude in the matter before the congressional committee, saying that he accepted full responsibility for the merger of the Tennessee company and would do it again, the Taft petition declares that Roosevelt was ignoramt and incapable of seehig what was to be done. No wonder the president is finding himself, discredited (> by his party and the Post. Of course it will be Taft. No one else wants the nomination —not even LaFollette —and republicans generally look upon it as being Taft’s job, and he will to take it whether he wants to or not.