U.S. PRESIDENCY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 86, 10 April 1912, Page 3

U.S. PRESIDENCY.

Discussing possibilities in connection with the next Presidential election, the Times recently remarked: "On the Republican side Mr Roosevelt, though his popularity has waned, has never perhaps been so generally regarded as an extinct Force. Still, he has undoubtedly fallen considerably into the background, and not long ago would have been regarded as a highly improbable nomination for the Republican Party to mako, in addition he lias always declared that he would not again seek nomination, and he has not receded frtfm that declaration. But, in spite of all that, Mr Roosevelt's name . has become very prominent in Republican speculations. His mere refusal to seek nomination now for nothing, and it is held that nothing can avail to take him out of politics except an explicit refusal to accept nomination even if pressed upon him. He has not made any such rounuciation so far, and in view of the great change that lias occurred in his relations with Mr Taft, no one seems to expect with any confidence that he will make it. He lias not shown any reluctance -to join the insurgents in discrediting Mr Taft's policies, and, according to some authorities, he has been aware of the movement to secure his noimnataion. and has done nothing to discourage it. Among the many possibilities of the situation there is, therefore, the pos sibility that the Presidential election may be fought with Mr Roosevelt and Mr Bryan as the Republican and Democratic candidates. It is only a pos sibility, but the political confusion is, so great that even so piquant a situation as that mentioned cannot be peremptorily discarded. Mr Taft would dc his best to secure nomination in any case, and his best may be much better than is supposed by spectators of the present confusion. He stands for nothing definite and relatively stable. He may fail to please many people on various but he may very well please more people on a balance of considerations than any other candidate. He is not so crowd-swaying an orator as either Mr Bryan or Mr Roosevelt, and for that reason his supporters make less show in proportion to their numbers. But his dig nified and' tenacious attitude is verj well fitted to appeal to quiet voters all over the country who can only bt distracted and perplexed by the frag mentary policies advocated by various leaders, none of whom represent an; coherent and settled body of doctrine or conviction common to his whole party."