Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-09
PROVES A BOOMERANG
The Recent Attack Cd Roose-
Velt's Candidacy
AR0USES HIS FRIENDS
LEADING REPUBLICANS BROUGHT
TO DECLARE THEMSELVES.
Canvass Among Indiana Leaders, In
cluding Editors. Disappointing
to the Opposition.

The anti-Roosevelt editorial of the Gin
cinnati Commercial-Tribune has thus far
proven something Of boomerang-react-
ing in favor of Roosevelt rather than
against him. The distinct effect Of the ut
terance of Editor Eshelby has been to rally
the Presidents friends and to awaken them
to realization that there Is fight against
the President and that they will have to
take hand In active pOht cs.
The best Judgment of politicians at the
Capitol is that there can be only one result
the massing of the Roosevelt forces in
solid phalanx whose sheer weight will ride
down the opposition started by the Ohio
editor. g
When such men as Platt of Connecticut
Allison Of Iowa, Foraker o! Ohio, Bever-
idge of Indiana, Proctor Of Vermont, Hale
and Frye of Maine, Dolliver of Iowa and
the group of prominent senators who have
IN the last day or two dictated interviews
forecasting the nomination of Roosevelt
volunteer, to come to the front in that man
ner. the effect must have we ght with re-
publicans at large. it Is held, and serve to
precipitate the Roosevelt sentiment.
Aroused to Action.
Some of the Presidents friends in Con-
gress think that the Eshelby editorial has
done the President a very good turn in one
respect: that is, to dissspate the sense OF
security, which m ght have proven to be
false and have resulted disastrously. 1t is
fact that the opinion has widely prevailed
that the denomination of Roosevelt was a
foregone conclusion. So many state con-
ventions have declared for him. some of
them eighteen months in advance of the
campaign, and the public sentiment has
neen SO strongly pronouaced IN his favor
that his friends among the leaders of the
party have not felt the necessity for keep
ing sharp lookout for breakers ahead in
such propitious political weather.
or course, the opposition of certain cor
poration, trust and railroad interests was
we'll known and appreciateds but never at
any time feared. On the contrary, where
disclosed 1t has, as might be expected,
strengthened the President with the rank
and file. Very recently the President 8
friends have found that these inimical in
tereSts were conducting, a propaganda in
several states notably New York. Ohio and
Indiana. The method used was to try to
influence prominent newspapers to find
fault with him and stir UP discontent over
his denomination. @2
1t is held that the Eshelby editorial was
that the anti-Roosevelt force deemed the
moment auspicious for starting their game
a-rolling and let Mr. Eshelby make the
first dash out of the box.
The Indiana Canvass.
Closely following upon this move the anti
Roosevelt trust combine developed their
campaign in Indiana by sending out
through an Indianapolis newspaper an in
Quiry to some two hundred republican In
diana newspapers and politicians, adroitly
worded, so as to give the idea that Roose-
welt could not be elected, and that 1t was
a good opening for the candidacy of some
favortte son of Indiana. The results must
have been most disappointing to the con-
spirators AS set forth in dispatch be-
low, no one was outspoken against Roose-
velt, but few suggested that Roosevelt
might make Indiana sure by taking Durbin
on the ticket with him.
Thaddeus Butler editor of the Hunting
ton Herald. denounces the conspiracy In
round terms and shows up the futility Of
their underhand efforts "to reverse the de-
cree already issued by the republican hosts
Of the United States that President Roose-
velt Shall be his own successor
At the Capitol today serhe Of Mr.. Roose-
ve1ts friends. in discussing the situation,
admitted that the anti-Ro0sevelt campaign
was adroitly conceived. No especial man
sonality was suggested upon whom to oen-
ter the nebulous Roosevelt sentiment
The opposition approached their prey craft
lily. BY raising the question whether. for
reasons stated. he can carry the state OF
New York and not lose western state.
they strike at him as If impersOnally and in
the interests OF the whole party.
Opposition 0verreached.
Already 1t is apparent that the opposition
have Overreached themselves In one re-
spect. They have forced into the active
Roosevelt advance guard some men who
might not otherwise declare themselves and
whose partisanship at this time will be of
incalculable benefit to Roosevelt.
The cold, unsentimental politicians Of the
but scant affection for the President, but
who want to see a republican victory next
fall, will not, for the sake Of their own dis
approval, nor for the spleen and spite OF
any group OF financial or political interests.
submit to imperiling the party's prospects
by precipitating factional fight among re-
pIblicans on the eve Of general election
at which offices from the highest to the
lowest are to be voted upon.
These men see the dnnKer of a movement
OF which Mr.. Eshelby Aappens to be for the
moment the exponent. They will be quick
to squelch 1t. Within the next few weeks,
the national politicians say. 1t may be ex-
pected that Roosevelt pledges will come
forth in such numbers as 10 demonstrate
beyond the shadow Of q doubt that the poll
ticians IN charge Of thu AFFAIRS of the party
are responsive to public sentiment. and
in the middle of the streamr
Senator Allisar,s opinion.
Senator Allison of Iowa came out vigor-
ously for the Presidents rsuomination. He
said:
There Is. in my opinion. no question re-
garding Mr.. ReosevSlea nomination and
election He has given ium a remarkably
able administration, and tls people realize
that fact.
Il do not expect 10 See the slightest oppo-
sition to him In the convention Iowa has
declared itself for him. and his strength
and popularity are unQuestioned In my en-
tire section Of the couhtry.'
Senator Proctor,s Prediction.
Senator Proctor Of Vermont said:
{ There is no doubt in my mind as to who
win be the republican standard bearer in
1901. President Roosevelt has given the
country careful able and even brilliant
administration. and the republican party
VIII nominate and elect him President for
four years more. I do not believe that the
name OF any ether candidate win be con-
sidered by the republican Convention. When
It comes to the election Mr.. Roosevelt win
lead his party to signal victory. He is
nearer to the great heart Of the people than
any candidate that could possibly be select
90 py eithar party. Some few malooutents
In tho roDubiinoya 20 he hn1R ~lr h,af