TLS signed “Wm. H. Taft,” four pages, 8 x 10.5, personal letterhead, February 23, 1920. Letter to newspaper correspondent Gus Karger. In part: “I reach Oklahoma after a long day’s journey…I have seen a good many of the politicians. There is a good chance here to elect a Senator on the Republican ticket, but it is likely to be thrown away because of the bitterness growing out of the election of the national committeeman. John McGraw is a fine fellow, but a Roman Catholic and a Knights of Columbus man, and when he sought reelection as a national committeeman, Jake Hamon, one of the worst of Oklahoman products, whom you may remember in the old times as a down-at-the-heel political roustabout, who suddenly through the oil business came into millions, and who plays both sides and contributes to the campaign funds of both parties, deliberately roused the Masons of the state against McGraw…Jake is a man who boasts of his infidelities among women and says they make him popular with them. He is a corrupter of everything political. He is a strong arm man…It is of no interest to him to have a Republican Senator…The news about the treaty is very disappointing to me. As the details come, the smaller it seems to me every participant in the drama is. There is grave danger that the matter will be thrown into the campaign, and if it is, the Republicans are going to find a mess on their hands…Johnson is likely to have more delegates in the convention than are expected. Wood is going down hill. Lowden I think is making progress, but no such progress as indicates that he will command the situation. Harding in all these states is a dark horse, with an opportunity.” Taft has made several handwritten corrections to the text, and also added a closing which reads, “I hope to see and talk with you.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, rusty paperclip marks and impressions to top edge, and light overall toning, with a heavier area of toning to top left corner. Two of the men mentioned in this letter emerged as the forerunners for the 1920 Republican nomination, General Leonard Wood of New Hampshire and Illinois governor Frank Lowden. The party heads were not convinced of the viability of either, and Harding—then serving as a senator for Ohio—began to emerge as a possibility. A fabulous letter packed with local and national political content, with Taft accurately predicting a Harding victory later in the year. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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