Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-11
FRIEND OF PRESIDENT
Why Senator .Platt Opposes
Endorsement.
WOULD DO INJURY
CONVENTION WOULD DIVIDE ON
THE QUESTION.
Therefore the Senator Will Let the
Resolution, if Offered, Die
in Committee
pecial From staff Correspondent.

Special From Staff Correspondent
NEW YORK, September 1.-THE return
of President Roosevelt to his own state
has revived public interest in the ques-
ton of the proposed reimbursement of
him by the republican state convention.
This has been an all-absorbing topic among
politicians during the Presidents absence
in the south.
Senator Platt remains firm in the belief
that 1t should not be proposed in the
convention to indorse the President for re-
ncnination. He says if such resolution
Is introduced it will be referred to the
committee on platform, where it will die.
He will not permit it to come before the
convention. Senator Piatt says that if the
resolution We're brought before the con-
vention it would undoubtedly be adopted,
but it would be adopted with a minority Of
800 out of the $50 delegates dissenting and
he thinks that such a spectacle in the
Presidents own state would be a scandal
and a disgrace and would react upon the
PreSidtntS political prospects in other COM
munities.
Gov. Odell's Position.
Governor Odell was here Monday and
talked long and earnestly with the senator
upon this subject. 1t is learned that Gov
A
he has not determined whether it would be
wise to bring UP the question of renomina-
ton or not. The governor is inclined to re-
main neutral. But the senator takes no
such uncertain position. He is emphatic in
his statement that the Introduction of the
resolution in convention would be the work
or an enemy of the President, and he de-
clares himself the Presidents friend He
insists that by keeping the Presidents in
dorsement out of the platform, merely in
dorsing his administration, the President S
surest interests are conserved. Senator
Platt makes 1t plain that he does not know
whether the talk Of Endorsement has the
Presidents sanction. He repeatedly has
thrown out hints that he thinks the Presi-
dent ought of his own motion to head off
the men who are camering for indorse-
ment. Thus far no one has spoken authori-
tatively on the subject -
Mr.. Platt's New Argument.
Senator Platt within.,th last twenty-four
hours has come out with another line of
argument against iadorsement.
He insists that the first duty of the con-
vention is to look out for the success of .he
state and do nothing to imperil it, suggest
ing by implication that the interjection If
the subject of Endorsement Of the President
would affect the state ticket on account Of
the factlona1 irritation against the Prcsi-
dent. In fact, the senator seems to be
looking for arguments to support his fiat
that there shall be no Endorsement. and his
activity is construed by some of the Presi-
dents friends to be onainous. Some of lie
PfeSldents friends are uncertain as TO
what should be done. One of them said:
if endorsement is withheld one thing IS
certain, 1t Will be construed by the country
to be the work of financial interests that
are enraged at the President for his attacks
on trusts. That being the case the failure
10 lndorse might help the President rather
at tc TO ha n
cred the possible effect of a turn-down by
the PRESIDENTS own state and the use cf
which could be made of it by other gentle
men whose eyes are fastened on the White
House.
No Effect on Presidents Speeches.
AS might have been expected, the sugges
ton of Senator Platt not to indorse the
President has had no effect upon the Presi-
dents utterance on the trust question.
Some comment has been occasioned by tle
fact that the next day after that announce
ment was made a member of the House Of
Representatives close friend of the Presi-
dent, announced from the platform where
he was speaking that the statement Of
Senator Platt was taken as threat ir
spired by the trusts and would not be effec
tive. Senator Platt's closest friends INSIST
that great injustice is being done him by
the talk OF his action having any relation
to the trusts. They assert with emphasis
that the senator is the Presidents friend
and Is only trying to save him certain en-
barraSsment."
1t Is certain that there is a very ugly
situation for the President in this state.
There is growing cloud of doubt, re-
crimination, suspicion and bitterness on the
horizon. There is an excellent opportunity
Tor some loyal friend Of the President with
good political horse sense to step in and
clear up some Of the misunderstanding"
upon which the situation is blamed.
N. o. NJ.
THINK 1T CHURCH LOOT.
GaflQliCS Annaal fo P,.asidnrf q oro rd-