Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-19
ROOSEVELT OBJECTS.
Al Urae Him TO accept. but He Knows Hi!
Business Best.


favor of his nomination. He had con-
farences with Henry c. Payne of Wis
consin. Senator Lodge of Massachu-
sets, Senator Hanna. National Com
mitteeman Gibbs of New York, and
BENJAMIN b. Odell in addition to other
leaders.
Senator Hanna. it is stated, advised
that the proper course for him To pur-
sue VAS to issue a statement positively
declining the nomination. 1t Will be
entirely consistent with your previous
statements" Senator Hanna is said to
have urged. land will convince people
that you have lost none of your deter
mination when you set out TO accom-
plsh result
But / have never asserted" an
swered GOV. Roosevelt, that l would
decline if nominated. I do not want
the office. but | am not sure that |
can refuse if the convention fails 70
listen to my protest.
You had better take a razor and
cut your throat" suggested Senator
Lodge. ITO decline the nomination
would be equally as fatal"
Congressman Littauer. another of
the governors personal friends in New
York, said: THE thing has gone too
far to stop II with appeals IL dele
gates. 1t cannot be stopped in that
way. The only way is for the govern
or to say that he will not accept under
any circumstances. He would then
carry out the general belief that he
is a man of his word and determine
ton"
h. t,..
urged him to positively decline and at
ter finding that NJ was about equally
advised on both sides Of the contr3-
vcrsy by his close personal friends. he
announced that he would come 70 Il
decision by o'clock this afternoon.
About l. O'Clock, Senator Hanna
came out of ROosevelt's room. lie said
there was little to say as a result of
the conference. The governor stands
just where he has always been He
does not want the nomination. 1t is a
question whether or not the conven-
ton will be stampeded for him"
"Will YOU try and prevent the STAN
pede?" he was asked.
II cannot say. That must be deter
mined later. | am out looking for the
interests of the Republican party and
We will try and do what is best for
the party
When the senator descended 10 his
room he was met by Mr.. Bliss. Mr..
Crusvenor ana ether men close to the
administration and they Immediately
went into a private conference in Han
mas room.
II transpired during the conference
M ! a
ma. combating what is now the popu-
lar impression that Roosevelt is the
only man who can be nominated, said:
II think we can nominate some one
beside Roosevelt"
For Gods sake, so ahead and do it.,
responded the governor. That's
right" said Senator Lodge. lets 90
ahead and nominate some other man.
What is the matter with Long,"
asked Hanna.
Nothing" replied Lodge. Go ahead
and nominate him"
Gathering from the tone Of Senator
Lodges remark that although the SEN
ator was supporting Long he had very
little hope that Long would be nomin-
ated. Senator Hanna continued: We'll.
what is the matter with Fairbanks? FL
Nothing in the world" responded
Lodge. Go ahead and nominate him.
Nominate anybody you can. We are
all standing ready to help you
Mr. Odell assured the conference that
New York would take no action forcing
Gov Roosevelt on the convention and
probably would not take any action at
all on the Vice Presidency, tonight.
A 4
which called upon Gov Roosevelt.
about noon, got perhaps the clearest
tatement from him that has yet been
put in quotation marks. He said in
response to a question from the head
Of the delegation. Emil Branch: Cen
tlemen. / am placed in a great and
serious quandary. | am not unmndful
of the honor which YOU all want to con-
fer upon me. | do not scorn it or scott
at it, but | believe that | can better
serve my party in New York state
than in the national arena and ! am
still Of the mind that | should not be
/ nominated for Vice President but for
governor of New York
! Then he hesitated until one of the
delegation asked: will you refuse
! Roosevelt flushed and then said slow
| ly and distinctly: II don't see how
could" and then quickly added: But
l have not yet entirely made up my
! mind
! These remarks We're repeated to Mr.
Platt and he said: Il think that with
out doubt Mr.. Roosevelt will be the
candidate for Vice President"
A delegation from Kansas headed by
hn NJ ITpitaI
ator. r. r. Burton, called and the gov
ernor chatted with him. Turning tc
Mr.. Burton, just as they were leaving
he said:
My dear fellow, I want to do wha,
is right by the party. but l honestly
believe that my path of duty lies il
New York state
We'll" said Mr.. Burton. IF We
don't vote for you We'll vote for Wood
ruff"
a delegation of Iowa men also had q
long interview with Roosevelt At the
conclusion Of the interview the situa-
ton was summed up as follows by
LATE Young, who headed the delega-
ton:
HE did not say he would, and he al,
not say he wouldn't, and as we came on
of his room Mark Hanna was waiting I,
see him to urge him to refuse the nomi
nation ana Henry Cabot Lodge was wait