New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-18
ROOSEVELT IN THE LEAD.
NAY BE NAlIED BY ACCLA.
NATION FOR VICE
PRESIDENT.
HOW HIS STRENGTH DEVELOPED YES.
THAT HE WILL NOT DECLINE.
Try TELEGRAPH To THE TsIsUvE,I

Try TELEGRAPH To THE TEIsUSEI
Philadelphia June 17.-Senator Thomas c.
Platt's failure, under the pressure Of the last
few days. TO present or indorse as New-Yorh's
choice for the Vice Presidency candidate ac-
ceptable TO the Republican sentiment in other
parts Of the Union is likely to have decidedly
unpleasant and embarrassing consequences for
Governor Roosevelt. wearied with Mr. Platts
harping on such candidates. as Odells and
Woodruff's and feeling that if for reasons OF
campaign expediency the Vice-Presidential
nomination is to so TO New-YOrk, the Conven-
ton should not be guided in its choice solely oy
Mr.. Platt's prejudices or preferences RepuoH-
can leaders from other States have taken up
with all seriousness the project Of sidetracking
Woodruff. OdeH any other similar aspirant
likely to be named tomorrow at the delega-
ton caucus and bestowins on Governor ROOse-
welt. in spite of his repeated and fervent pro-
testations. the vacant place on the Republican
National ticket.
The first step in this movement to determine
New-YOrks choice Of nominee by outside
pressure was taken this morning when Senator
Penrose. OF Pennsylvania, called on Governor
Roosevelt and told him that poll just made OF
the keystone State delegates had shown that
ffty-two OF the sfxty-four would vote for him
for President on the first ballot IT -
understood that Mr.. Roosevelt expressed to MI
Penrose his regret that the Pennsylvania dele
gates should have decided TO force him into the
field as a Vice-Presdential candidate. But the
Pennsylvania Senator did not apparently take
the Governors chagrin as seriously as it was ex-
pected TO be taken, for a result of the inter
view the impression quickly spread that no deci-
sive check would be put upon the zeal OF any
delegates who might declare their intention or
making a selection for themselves among the
New-Yorkers available for he ViCe-Fresidential
nomination
GOVERNOR IN THE CURRENT
II was not to be expected. of course, that
Senator Penrose should receive any very posi-
tive hint of encouragement from Governor
Roosevelt, after the latters many firm refusalS
to allow his name to be coupled with the Re
publican Vice-Presidential nomination The
Governor is a politician of some tenacity Of pur-
pose and sense of consistency. and extraordinary
political pressure would doubtless be required to
force him TO eat the professions OF repugnanee
toward service in the Vice-Presidential chair in
which his utterances have abounded for several
months past
But whatever indignation he may feel at the
attempted transference of his activities from
congeniaI field at Albany to uncongenial
| one at Washington, and whatever protests he
may indulge in at to-morrow's caucus against
/ the change of programme. which he thought his
/ presence in Philadelphia would prevent the
I Governor Will find that he is struggling with
currents in politics OF whose power he had not
obtained at Albany a clear and adequate con-
ception That he will throw overheard his per
sonaI preferences and yield his firmly developed
sense of consistency is not doubted by the polit-
icaI managers, who have SO arranged the forces
in this Convention 10 make his nomination
for the Vice-Presidency apparently inevitable
OF course. the processes by which the Gov
| ernor's nomination is 10 be effected are as yet
underlined but of his inability TO escape the
| obligation which the party managers Of all
| shades of opinion seem determined to impose
| upon him there can be now little serious ques-
| ton The decision of the Pennsylvania leaders
to start to-day's landslide toward Roosevelt was
| Influenced by 4 variety of reasons To Mr.
| PIatts political intimacy with ex-senator Quay
| to-day's unexpected and somewhat embarrass-
| ing offer of votes TO Governor Roosevelt is
| largely traceable.
PLATTS PECULIAR POSITION.
AS every one knows. Mr.. PIatt's keenest
| anxiety has been TO escape the necessity Of re-
nominating Mr. Roosevelt for Governor. by the
| easy device of making him President NIcKinley's
| running mate the National ticket. But
Mr.. Platt was under pledges to the Governor 10
take no overt steps to procure his nomination
| for Vice President The New-YOrk delegation
| could not therefore OOenly support Mr. ROOse-
| Welt inside outside the Convention But what
more ingenious means could be devised TO pro-
/ woke the result Mr.. Platt has so much at heart
! than to inspire political friend in a neighbOr-
| ing State TO launch Roosevelt boom. and thus
| give notice to the world that New-YOrk was re-
/ signed in advance to having her OstensIble
| wishes overrdden by outside opinion2
1t should be remembered, too, that among the
| influences most powerful in Pennsylvania poll
| itic5 are Messrs. Elkins and Widener. the heads
of the great traction syndicate which first grid
ironed the city Of Philadelphia and then as
sumed control Of New-YOrk's street railway sys-
! TEN. Governor ROoseyelt's share in the enact
ment Of the Franchise Tax law had won him
the hostility of the railway owners. and. in com
bining with Mr.. PIatt 10 secure his promotion
| from Albany to Washington. they saw at once
! chance to pay OFF old scores and rid New-YOrk
/ State Of what they considered an III advised and
exacting Executive.
OTHER STATES FAVOR ROOSEVELT.
But whatever the motive OF political friendship
/ and personal sympathy with Mr.. Platt which
inspired the Pennsylvania leaders in Offering
their States vote to Mr.. Roosevelt, there can be
no doubt that other delegations with no knOwl-
/ edge of or interest in Mr.. Platts political
I schemes eagerly grasped at the idea Of forcing
/ a concentration on the reluctant New York Cow
! eVnor. The California delegation. for instance
at a meeting this afternoon. decided TO give its
unanimous support 10 Mr. Roosevelt. should he
show any inclination 10 allow his canvass 70
I become serious one Mr. Knight. the chair
man Of the delegation. called personally al the
Walton TO offer California's eighteen votes TO
Mr.. Roosevelt. Like Mr. PenFOSe Mr.. knight
informed by the Governor that he did not
consider himself a Vice-Presidential candidate.
This reply was taken in good faith by the Cali
fornians, but they went away by no means con-
WINGED that union on Governor Roosevelt was
either distant or tmpracttcable
The Iowa delegations next fell in line by de-
Gliding to do nothing 70 push Representative Dol