The Washington weekly post., 1899-07-18
Republican Leaders Sudden
Friendship for Roosevelt.
THEY WANT HIN on THE TICKET
Significance Of the New York Governors
Recent Visit TO the White HOuse-Party
Men Want TO Make Use Of His Popularity
In 1900-He Is Politically Ambitious
and Can Hardly Refuse to Enter Into the
Combin n at ion-Every Vote Desired.

The next Republican Presidential cam
paign ticket will probably be Mckinley
and Roosevelt Men high in the councils
OF the party favor this combination for
1900.
1t Is hardly necessary to emphasize the
fact that Gov. Roosevelt regards his pres
ent position as merely the stepping-stone
to higher Office. His ambition is 10 be
nominated for the Presidency In 1904. His
recent trip to the West, while ostensiolyr
and in large degree sincerely. for the pur-
pose of renewing acquaintance with his
soldier colleagues. was none the less ar
occasion for discovering the depth OF the
popular sentiment in his favor. The trip
vas well-planned. and the train schedule
made known in advance to people of the
West. Roosevelt was delighted with the
demonstration which his presence caused.
1t exceeded his fondest hopes. Every
where he received an ovation. He came
back convinced that ne had a hold upon
the masses which would make him an i'm
portant factor in national affairs. What
was a previous ambition became settled
purpose in his mind. He will leave no
stcne unturned until he reaches the Pres
idency.
RooseyeIt's Popularity Next Year.
There are others upon whom the lesson
of Roosevelts popularity was not lost.
Despite all that may be said by the optl-
mstic rank and file, the Republican lead
ers know that the next campaign is not TO
be won by walking over fiowery beds of
ease. They look for a contest as bitter
and intense as that of 1896. and they are
aware that the fun voting strength of the
party must be brought out. 1t is for this
reason that many OF them are urging
that a new name should be put on the
ticket in second place, believing that more
enthusiasm can thus be created. They
regard Gov. Roosevelt as particularly
available for Vice President on account of
his war record, as well as on account of
his location.
New Jersey, It is pointed out, has the
! Vice Presidency and a place in the Cabi-
net, while New York. with its thirty-six
electoral votes, has been out In the cold
/ since Mr.. Bliss retirement. The shrewd
| party managers, while they esteem Mr.
Hobart highly, frankly declare in private
! conversation that there would be no pO-
! litical wisdom in renOminating him. At
| the proper time, therefore. they expect
/ by diplomatic means. TO have Mr. Hobart,
| on the score of his ill-health. step aside SO
| that Gov Roosevelt may be put on the
| ticket. They regard Roosevelt as the
ideal candldate-the man who would at
| tract larger vote TO the ticket than Mr.
/ Hobart or any other Republican. If he
can be persuaded TO take the place all
/ agree that he will help materially to lift
| the Mckinley kite into the air.
Recent Visit the Initial Move.
| Under the circumstances the present
! friendly attitude of the administration to-
ward the popular New York Governor is
very clear, and this friendly attitude, it
may be added promises to be empha-
sized, from time to time in the months
/ that will intervene before the next Re-
publican National Convention.
The recent visit of Roosevelt to the
! White House was the first step toward
| bringing about the most cordial relations
| between the President and The Governor
VIII Roosevelt accept the nomination
| for Vice President? He cannot decline il
| and lcok forward to future political pre-
/ ferment at the hands of the people at
| large. The present policy is 10 work I'D
| throughout the country such sentiment
| fc- Roosevelt for Vice President that he
| will be unable to Withstand IT, The plan
| is to tender ii to him in such way that
| he could not reject it without Offering an
| affront 10 the Republicans of the country
an affront that would render impossible
| his nomination for first place in 1904. He
| may be put in the position that confronted
| the late Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks in
! 1854, when he was compelled against his
viii to be the running mate of Mr.. Cleve-
| lard.
| Mckinley and Roosevelt, The Presi-
| dent who successfully conducted the war
with Spain and the man who left the
/ battlefield to enter the Governors chair.
| This is the programme of the politicians
| for 1890, aided and abetted by persons
| high in authority, to whom success is
more important than any other eonsidera-
/