The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-18
In an Effort to Force the Place
ON the Rough Rider.
Generally Believed That He
Will Accept If Named.
BLISS TO THE FRONT.
Roosevelt Boom Causes Him to
Change His Mind.
His Own Wishes Subordinate to
Mark Hanna's.

Philadelphia, June 1S.-The long ad-
vertised stampede for Roosevelt, is such
as to indicate that it probably cannot
be checked.
Ever since the Republican clans have
begun to gather here Roosevelt has been
hanging over the convention like the
shadow of the man on horseback. His
appearance in the corridors Of the hotels
thus far has been the only thing which
has stirred the crowds to their depth.
He alone has uncorked the enthusiasm
and inspired a cheer. When he entered
the Walton, picturesque and command
ing, wearing the slouch hat which has
been his only gear since he returned
from Cuba, the crowds rose at him ed
died about him like a swirling tide in
their eagerness to greet him. The rank
and file only have been deferred from
proclaiming him as their choice from
the very first by his repeated announce
ment that he was not a candidate. New
York and Pennsylvania, the former with
72 and the latter with 64 delegates, have
thrown his banner to the breeze. The
effect was magical. The rush to his
standard resembled the jumping of nee
dies to the side of a magnet. Nothing
but a positive declaration from Cover
nor Roosevelt that he would not accept
the nomination after it was made would
stop it. and he viii not make that de-
elaration. Some OF the governors per
sonal friends have been to him and
urged him to make every effort to pre-
vent the nomination, but he realized
that he is in no position to declare in
advance that he would refuse a nominal
/ tion after it was rendered.
/ His position is different from that of
/ Senator Allison, who has made it plain
that he would decline under similar con-
/ ditions. Senator Allison is destined to
remain in the senate as long as he de-
sires. The possibility of the presidency
| has passed beyond his hopes. Looking
| to the future, Governor Roosevelt and
his friends realize that the declination
| of popular and enthusiastic nominal
| tion for vice president, made with the
| idea that it will contribute to the sue
cess of the party in the campaign, would
no doubt mean political oblivion.
1t is accepted by the leaders that
Roosevelt was sincere in his emphatic
| declaration that he would not accept
and was not a candidate, but he now
realizes that the popular and political
movement to force the nomination upon
him has reached a. point beyond his
control
The attitude of the administration.
and especially that of Senator Hanna.
who has been looked to by the delegates
to give the cue to the wishes of the pres
/ ident, forms an interesting feature OF
the situation. It has been the general
impression that it only remained for
person with authority to indicate the
wishes Of the president, and that the
convention would line up for the man
selected. From the very beginning Sen
ator Hanna declared that the president
was not taking any part in the selection
| Of his running mate, and the senator.
gave no indication of his own choice He
had favored Mr. Bliss. but he aunOuncaf4
I Ia for y
/ reasons, Bliss could not accept Many
believed that these personal reasons
were that Bliss could not have the sup
port of the New York delegation and
that the hope was entertained that in
time the New Yorkers would be forced
by prevailing outside sentiment to bring
forward Mr. Bliss. which would insure
his nomination
If this was the case It is now too late.
While the situation is not beyond the
control of the administration forces to
prevent the nomination of Roosevelt.
1t Is realized that such action, in view
of the general stampede, would be un-
| wise
From the first, Senator Hanna has
declared that the convention should
make the nomination and now that it
| is about to do so, even under the n1anip-
ulation and with the assistance of such
| experienced politicians as Platt and
| Quay, it would be impolitic for Senator
| Hanna to make &. fight to defeat it,
! even if the man selected is not the Sc
lection of the administration. The only
man in the race who seemed satisfac-
| tory to the friends of the administra-
tion was Secretary Long. and his can
didacy did not flourish, because a Mas
sachusetts candidate did not impress
the delegates as giving additiona
strength of the ticket.
With doubt as to the choice of the
administration and with the desire t
make New York safe, with a belief
among many delegates that Roosevelt
was the one man who would ado
strength to the ticket in the east ant
west. it was not difficult to start tbs
stampede, and it is generally accepted
/ that the national Republican ticke
will be Mckinley and Roosevelt.
This much is known-if the conven-
. \ ton names Governor Roosevelt for vict
president, he will not decline He ha
emphatically said that he would not ac
/ cept if nominated. but it is known OF
) the best of authority that he will no
decline Nevertheless, his determine
ton to protest against the nomination
/ | until the last minute is unchanged
While he admitted that the situation
: looked as if he would be forced into
5 nomination, he was hoping that sucl