Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-27
tNDoesINg TBE PREsIDEET.

Last year the republican conventions
of fifteen states which win be repre-
sented by 394 delegates in the rdhuh-
lican national convention Of 1000 oen-
dorscd Theodore Roosevelt for the presi-
dental nomination. This year Michi-
gan. which will have 2S votes In the ma
tional convention, also endorsed him,
raising the total pledged to Roosevelt to
422 Under the new congressional ap-
portionment the next national conven-
ton will contain % more delegates than
that of 1900, or 9S4 As a majority is
necessary for a nomination, the success
full candidate must receive 1929 votes
Roosevelt is, therefore, only 7015 votes
short of a nomination at this time,
which would seem to amply warrant
the prediction that he will be the nom
inee Of his party.
While it would undoubtedly be graft
flying to republicans generally II the
Ohio convention, which will be held
next week, should endorse Mr.. Roose-
velt for nominal ton, its failure to do so
could have no important effect upon the
situation. 1t is very well understood
that a large majority of Ohio repub-
leans are in favor of the nomination
of President Roosevelt next year and
the issue that has been raised in regard
to an endorsement by the coming con-
vention has really no other significance
or Importance than as a test of strength
between Senators Hanna and Foraker.
According to the latter the responsi-
billty for raising the issue is with Mr..
Hanna, or his friends, but this is not a
matter Of great consequence. But the
issue having arisen, 1t is the opinion Of
Mrl Foraker and doubtless Of many
other republicans in the state that it
would be a mistake not to endorse the
president for nomination. As to Mr..
Roosevelt himself. he has stated that he
has had nothing whatever to do with
raising the issue as to his endorsement
and 1t is needless to say that he will
have nothing to do with the question.
There appears to be. no doubt that the
issue will come before the convention
and at present the indications seem
favorable to endorsement.
More or less is being said about grow.
ing opposition to President Roosevelt in
the east, but nothing of the kind is ap,
parent among the rank and file Of the
republicans of that section. Nor has
any eastern republican leader, so far as
we know, manifested opposition to the
nomination of Mr.. Roosevelt. The trust
this fact should and 1t is not to be
doubted will strengthen the president
| with the masses of republicans and
draw others to his support $50 far as
the presidency is concerned" says the
Philadelphia Inquirer. there is no rea
| opposition to Roosevelt" There are
some who profess to believe that some
of his utterances in the west have beer
unfavorable to him in the east, yet they
offer no good reason for this view and
indeed there is none. There is nothins
in what the president has said on hi
| western trip that should not commant
the unqualified approval Of all patriot,
Americans.
In our judgment the Ohio issue hal
been given a greatly exaggerated signifi
cance. 1t is n difference between tw,
distinguished republican leaders of tha
state, both avowed friends of Mr.. Roose
velt. which will not in the slightest de
gree affect the chances of the PRESIDENT
nomination next year.