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State senator Metcalf discusses senatorial candidates and Washington state politics with President of the University of California Wheeler. At Wheeler’s recommendation, Metcalf has been working to build sentiment for Secretary of War William H. Taft as a presidential candidate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
Washington State Senator Ralph Metcalf reports on Secretary of War William H. Taft’s visit to his state. Large crowds came to watch Taft speak about labor, and afterwards he met with leading senators including Metcalf, William H. Paulhamus, and Jesse S. Jones. Metcalf’s colleagues had been reluctant to endorse Taft because they feared unions would not support him, but they now believe Taft has won their favor. Metcalf has spoken with a diverse group of workers, who he believes are the best predictor of an election. He finds that Taft has won overwhelming support and is threatened only by popular demand that Roosevelt run for reelection. He promises to help Roosevelt and Taft however he can. Benjamin Ide Wheeler, who sent this excerpt on to William Loeb, noted at the bottom of the letter that Metcalf was the most influential man in Washington’s legislature.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-19