The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-15
NEW YORK AND PRESIDENT
ROOSEVELT.

The announcement that the Republican
leaders of New York have decided that the
State convention will indorse President
Roosevelt for denomination in 1904 is some
what Of a surprise. New York politicians OF
both parties are proverbially cautious and
slow in showing their hands. AS rule they
like to wait till the returns are all in and
act in the light Of the fullest information.
This course has obvious advantages, and
New York politicians generally know how
to improve them.
In the present case the action of the Re-
publican leaders has doubtless been in
fluenced by the fact that several Western
State conventions have already Endorsed
Mr.. Roosevelt for 1904. 1t is unusual for
State conventions to do this in regard to
any candidate so long in advance. New
York has never done 1t. The States which
have done so would have complied with
the usual custom by simply giving cordial
Endorsement to the present administration
without referring to 1904, but as they chose
to go further it was ''up to-" New York Re-
publicans to decide whether they would
not go as far as those of other States had
seems they have decided to do so, with the
understanding, however, that the indorse-
ment by the coming convention will not
be binding on the one that will meet In the
spring of 1901. An Endorsement of the Presi-
dent made at this time would, of course,
he
made in such terms as to bind conven-
ton meeting in 1904. 1t is said that some of
the Republican leaders were opposed to
the Endorsement at this time as a violation
of precedent, but that their objection was
overcome by the insistence of the Presi-
dents friends and by the argument that
as several Western State conventions had
already declared in favor of his renomina-
ton 1t would look like an unfriendly dis
elimination If his own State failed to do SO.
1t Is understood that the coming conven-
ton will indorse the Presidents admins
nomination. That declaration would apply
to the present situation and would be the
expression of the convention of 1902 without
attempting to bind that Of 1904. which will
be free to express its own views. One of
the leaders is quoted as saying just before
the conference on Saturday:
1t would be contrary to all precedent in
this State to put up Roosevelt our can
didate for President at this time but it
would not look we'll merely to indorse his
administration when several Western
States have come out squarely for him as
the candidate in 1904. We can get around
the nomination. That will express the
present feeling of the party and will not
commit future conventions. i think IL will
satisfy the President and everybody else.
He knows that the State convention this
year cannot pledge delegates to be elected
two years hence, and he does not expect
anything of the kind.
1t is not known that the President de-
sired anything more OF the New York con-
vention than an Endorsement of his admin
pected 1t. Senator Platt said a few days
ago: 81 had a long talk with the President
recently and he never once mentioned the
subject" The decision of the Republican
leaders to indorse his administration and
declare that he deserves to be the candi-
| date Of the party in 1904 shows that the
President is very strong with his party al
present In New York. The decision which
| the leaders have made is at least an en-
couraging sign Of Republican harmony in
the Empire State.