Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-06-18
WANTS TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR
Hanna Says He Can Consistent
. ly Refuse and Lodge that He
Would Commit Political
ki Suicide to do so.
WEST VIRGINIA IS FOR SCOTT

Philadelphia, June 1S-Unless the
concensus of opinion of the most cx-
perienced political observers is awry
the selection of candidate for vice
president virtually will have been
made before today closes.
The key to the situation is held by
Governor Theodore Roosevelt of New
York. 1t seems certain, at this writ
ing that Mckinley and Roosevelt will
be the ticket. Roosevelt will soon
have to decide. Thus far he has not
said a decisive word. He does not
desire, personally, the nomination for
vice-president. Yet, in the face of that
fact, in the face of the desire of few,
at least, well known administration
leaders to nominate somebody else, the
nomination seems forcing itself, by
a curious combination of circumstances
upon the New York governor. The
running tide towards Roosevelt can be
stemmed only by one man-the presi-
dent
Philadelphia, June 1S-Senator Ma
son, of Illinois, was among the early
arrivals today. He lost no time in TAX
ing positive position against Cover
nor Roosevelt.
Il am for one of the candidates for
vice-president." He said. 1T mat
ters not which one who want Office
and are willing to say they want it.
| do not believe Roosevelt can in hon
or accept it If it is rendered to him" "
Philadelphia, Penn, June 1S-To-
wards IL o'clock Governor Roosevelt
began active work to stem the tide
of sentiment in favor of his nomina--
tion. He had conferences with Hen
ry G. Payne, of Wisconsin, Senator
Hanna, Senator Lodge, Benjamin 3.
O'Dell, and other leaders.
Senator Hanna, it is stated, advised
the proper course for him to pursue
was to issue statement positively
declining the nomination.
1T will be entirely consistent with
your previous statements" Hanna is
said to have argued, saDd will convince
the people you have lost none of your
determination when you set out to ac-
complish a result
But never asserted" answered
Roosevelt, that l would decline il
nominated. l do not want the office
| but | am not sure l can refuse If the
convention fails to listen to my pro
test"
| "You had better take a razor and
cut your throat" suggested Senator
Lodge ito decline the nomination
would be equally as fatal" Aftel
finding he was about equally advised
on both sides of the controversy, b.
his close personal friends, Roosevelt
announced that hesswould come to
decision by o'clock this afternoon.
A delegation from South Dakota
which called upon Governor Roosevelt
about noon, got perhaps the cleares
statement from him yet made H,
said in response to query from tn
head of the delegation, Emil Branch
"Gentlement, l am placed in a grea
and serious quandary. 1t am not un
mindful of the honor you all want t
confer upon me; do not scorn it, o
scof at 1t, but believe l can bette
serve my party in New York stat
than in the nation, and am still of tn
mind that | should not be nominate
for vice-president, but for governor G
New York
One delegation asked: will you rt
|; fuse?" Roosevelt flushed, then sal
slowly; Il don't see how I could br
have not yet entirely made up m
; mind"
Philadelphia, Pa, June 18-Governc
, Roosevelt gave out this statement:
{ In view of the revival of the tai
OF myself as vice-presidential cal
didate, I have this to say: 1t is in
possible to express how deeply touc
ed | am by the attitude Of those del
d gates who wished me to take this mol
Il ination. Moreover, it is not necessal
to say how thoroughly | understar
: the high honor and dignity of the off
! so high and so honorable, it is W,
!. worth the ambition of any man in Il