THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 9 April 1908, Page 6

THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY

ACTIVE ELECTIONEERING.

SAN FRANCISCO, February 14. The political pot is »ow boiling werjjy. Americans give up every fourth year to a regular debauch of politics. The •matter of the election of a President and the long succession of events leading up to the actual election, are now stirring the country to ita very depths. From 4he village politician right up to the President of the United States every man ia public life is .trimming the saite of his official conduct with strict reference to the election next November. Mr Roosevelt himself has been forced, to defend his appointments from the charge that they are being mode in the interest of Secretary of War Taft, whose candidacy he favor?. It has been charged that in tbe last year he' has named as post masters and collectors • of customs only men who will use their influence for Taft, and has discharged from the Federal service competent officials -who are opposed to Taft. In a long set statement given to the press President Roosevelt denies this, and says the charge is "false and pernicious." The proceedings in Congress at this time are curiously sympathetic. The present is the last session before the election, and, as has been the case with this session for many years past, it is concerned with but little else than Presidential politics. Little or no real business is ever done at this session. Upon flimsy pretexts long speeches are made about the merits of the different candidates— which speeches are printed and circulated at the public expense. For instance, ■while a sniall appropriation Bill > be- " fore the House, a member will ingeniously twist the Bubject co as to drag in a iulsome eulogy of Bryan, and a prediction that he will be the next President. A member on the other side will reply with a ' similar prediction in favour of Taft or /tome other Republican. This is recognised as part of the .game, 'and is allowed by t c Speaker. Already the States are beginning to elect delegates to the nominating conventions which meet in summer. The Republican party of Florida /met in State convention a week ago, and 1 named a

delegation instructed for Taft. It is recognised that the South will lie for the ,War Secretary almost unanimously. There •was a rival convention 'in Florida, which named a 'delegation of uninßtructed' delegates. Both conventions, .. it is interesting to note, were composed in auie-tantha port of negroes. In th© South' nearly ' every white man is a democrat. One of the most important recent developments was the endorsement by the Bepublican committee of New York State of Governor Hughes. President Roosevelt/, strong as lac is with the Republican party of his own state, was Unable to hold i/fc to the Taft column. was largely due to ihe. magnanimity of Taft himself, who, in a letter- to the chairman of the New York Republican committee, Herbert Parsons, requested that no attempt be made io his interest to divide the delegation from New York. In other words, Secretary Taft indicated that he did not wish his friends in New York State to prosecute a campaign as against Governor Hughes. The candidacy of Mr Hughes has been immensely strengthened by a formal announcement by the Governor that he would not refuse the nomination' if tendered to him. In- a strong speech before the Republican Club of New York he outlined his attitude on the leading national questions: 'He placed himself squarely behind the policy of President Roosevelt, to whom he said the country was under lasting obligations, and in some respects he seemed to take an even, more Radical . attitude. For instance, he said he was- not in favour of punishment By fines upon ' corporations, except for minor offences, but believed in imprisoning the responsible officials of the corporations. These two men, Taft and Hughes, more and more overshadow all other candidates on the Republican side. Fairbanks, Knox, Cannon, Root, Foraker, and the Test have faded away. Spasmodic attempts to force Roosevelt into becoming a candidate fine, still made. The other day a petition earnestly petitioning him to allow his name to be used a» v a candidate was circulated in Philadelphia, and 2500 signatures were affixed within two bows. • But Roosevelt's determination not i» run is irrevocable. Bryan will, of course, he the Democratic candidate. This is acceptedi as foregone. .' Notwithstanding tbe oppopition of the most powerful Democratic (newspapers, . including the World, the Times, and the gun of New York, and of prominent Democratic politicians, he is the"" only nttQ seriously th<ftgbt tof by the patty w banner b^r^v<3^v£fmor r Johnson, of Minnesota, W;OTgM in •some quarters, bx*t the idea- does not catch on with the rank and file of the party. — Age correspondent. "Woods' Peppermint/ Cure appears to 'bring • „.,.'. Your -trade amongst tHe sriupgest. I 'spose it won't ,cs|£.'gyerythiing?"' "Well, no," repfiea^ihe druggist. - "Tfc won't cure everything, " at least, T'nleas I^n much -iftfctaken!" , "What won't it cure in man or beast?" Said ho: "It won't cure Jbaoon!" 3