Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-06
Politicians Suspect Him Of Hunting
Convention Delegates.
HlS RECENT CONFERENCE With YATES
Effect of Influential Western
Support.
GUESSES> OF SLATE MAKERS

| Politicians are watching with some inter-
est Vice President Roosevelt's tour through
| the western states. Naturally they put
aside his explanation that he is going sole
| ly after wild cats and speckled trout and
suspect him of hunting bigger game, to
| wit, some western delegations to the next
| republican national convention.
Mr.. Roosevelt had a conference with
Gov Yates of Illinois the other day and
| Immediately the wiseacres jumped to the
| conclusion that Roosevelt-Yates combi-
nation was in the wind with Illinois to be
| the nucleus of the prospective bunch of
| western delegations. 1t made no difference
| that both gentlemen said they were merely
comforting about an address to be de-
livered by Mr., Roosevelt at the coming Il
linois Grand Army encampment.
Roosevelt's Western Strength.
The query is put forth, based upon the
assumption that Mr.. Roosevelt is really
hunting strength in the west, whether he
has abandoned hope Of winning his own
state, discouraged by the seeming strength
of the Odell boom; or whether he proposes
to further his prospects in New York by
first building up following in the west
that will make him appear to the New
Workers to be inevitable, and thus sug-
gest their getting promptly into the fold of
the faithful.
Every one remembers, of course, that
Mr.. Roosevelt, at the Philadelphia conven-
ton, showed his greatest strength in the
west. 1t was the west that demanded and
forced his nomination for the vice presi-
dency in spite of not only his own remon-
stranceS but the efforts of some Of the
party leaders to keep him out Of the run
ming.
The situation now is hardly the same.
Then the west was practically solid for
Mr. PnAcavp1f other
were few and inconspicuous. Now how
ever, more than one western state is train
ing a presidential candidate. Beginning
with Ohio, and naming Indiana, Illinois,
Wisconsin and Iowa, available presidential
timber is found, and Mr.. Roosevelt, in
reaching out for those states would have
to deal with several very substantial ia
vorite son" booms and get them out of the
way before he could assert a claim to the
delegations.
In the states beyond he could easily, no
doubt, find enthusiastic following. The
drawback is that they do not have many
votes in a national convention, and it
would be absolutely essential for him to
have few large delegations as a rally
ing point.
A Hold Upon Illinois.
Minnesota and Michigan thus far have
not presented any ambitious sons. and
their delegations may be said to be in po-
sition to be captured by the strongest
man. Some politicians think that If Mr..
Roosevelt could establish a hold upon 1lli-
nois he might draw in Michigan and Min
nesota, and with these three states in the
lead make up a procession Of western
states that would present very fornid-
able front.
Reports from Illinois say that Governor
Yates would be very willing to take second
place on a ticket with Mr.. Roosevelt. but
the advices do not make 1T clear that he is
powerful enough to deliver the vote of his
ct OF fn a continuation
paratively new In politics even In Illinois,
and several republicans in the state are
credited with being able to dispute his
power.
I No one is insensible to the fact that if
Mr. Roosevelt should make up an aggres-
sive combination of prominent western
states it would have an appreciable erect
upon the New York situation. 1t would
probably cause a recastfng of some sup
posed political lines in New York and
cause a number of gentlemen to seek cover
in the Roosevelt tepee who are now sus-
pected of straying from the reservation.
Open Field for All.
The presidential contest is expected to
be very pretty one. The field is a fair
one at present, and no man has an apparent
monopoly Of the chances of success For
this reason the interest is unusual for
period so far in advance of the convention,
and every move is eagerly watched and
weighed by the politicians.
There has been some talk In the past
week of an upward movement in the boom
of Governor Shaw Of Iowa. 1t Is limited
that some developments may shortly ap-
pear which will indicate that he Is in the
race as a formidable candidate. 1t is said
that some of the other presumable candi-
dates have recently been making anxious
inquiries about the extent of the Shaw
strength. and have found that it is not to
be ignored.
Roosevelt Well Liked In Kansas.
Representative Curtis of Kansas, who is
in the city, said today in speaking of presi-
Dental gossip now being indulged in
throughout the state:
There has been very little Of such talk
thus far. Vice President Roosevelt, how
ever has thousands of friends throughout
Kansas and they are all ready to back him
for the nomination three years hence. Kan
sas considers that 1t gave Mr.. Roosevelt
his start in political life. 1t assumed the
lead for him at the Philadelphia conven-
ton, and naturally the people of the state
think great deal of him and his prospects.
He is considered a western product and
western candidate by Kansas. There is
also some talk of the Fairbanks boom, but
ho in, ha