Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-06
Mr.. Foraker and 1904.

Interviewed in Nashville Saturday on the
general political situation, Senator Foraker
| made some interesting observations. The
Star likes them because they are In line
with views which The Star itself has more
than once expressed within the past twelve
months.
Asked the question. will Theodore
Roosevelt be the republican nominee for
President in 19O4?' Mr.. Foraker replied:
"Undoubtedly He came to the presi-
dency under the most trying circumstances
He has met every just expectation and is
entitled to the nomination. he is strong
broadminded. aggressive American. and
fit representative Of the great policies of
the nation. He Is positive man. with the
earnest convictions which he fearlessly
espouses and advances on all proper occa-
sions. Such man will have some enemies
but the great mass Of the people recognize
in President Roosevelt a man of probity OF
character and uprightness Of purpose.
Aside from all this. the republican party
must necessarily In the next campaign
stand upon the record his administration
has made The party will be stronger oc-
cupying that position with him as the
leader than it could be with anybody else.
/ do not know of any serious thought OF
any other candidate. and predict. therefore,
his nomination by reclamation
Unquestiona bly, the republican party must
stand upon its record. and that record, as
presented next year, will have been made
under the leadership Of Theodore Roosevelt.
Why ask Endorsement of the record and
not of the leader? What explanation would
the party offer were it to depose Mr.. Roose-
welt in favor of any other man within it's
ranks? That he had not distributed the
patronage satisfactorily? That he was not
regarded as a safe man to have in the
White House? That certain southern re-
rfic orlv icp with
him and demanded a change? Would a
new leader. selected in obedience to such
criticisms. have the slightest chance of
election? Would not the party become a
sort Of laughing-sto throughout the cam
paign?
Asked as to the situation in the south.
Mr.. Foraker said:
Il understand there is some dissatisfac-
ton on the part Of certain elements OF the
republican party in the south, but 1t should
be remembered that, while am sure Presi
regret any such dissatisfaction. We can
hardly expect to get any electoral votes
from the southern states
This is the practical, common sense view
of that matter. 1t would be the very
height of folly for the republican leaders, in
considering the presidential nomination, to
permit whatever dissatisfaction may exist
in their party in the south with the Presi-
dents course to influence their action at
the national convention. The republicans
in the south are helpless. They do not
count in the equation ct home and GER
tainly they should not be permitted to die
tate to the party away from home. The
row down there is over the offices, and the
Presidents course is worthy of praise On
the one hand he has gone outside Of his
party for his appointees when the public
service demanded it. and on the other hand
when combining himself to his party he has
refused to prescribe men on account Of
their color. In both of those attitudes he
has shown himself to be the representative
in his office Of all the people.
Talk about turning Mr.. Roosevelt down
next year at the republican national con-
vention affords some entertainment but it
does not seem to disturb either the Presi-
dent or his friends