The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-09
ROOSEVELT AND FAIRBANKS.

From present indications the Republican
national convention. which is 10 meet next
June q. will have little to do as far as nom
nations are concerned beyond recording
the expressed will of the party. 1t has
been evident for some time that Mr.. Roose-
welt would be nominated for President. This
was almost assured by the unusual action
of a large number of States that instructed
for him last year, for while these instruc-
tons were not absolutely bincing this year
they carried almost as much moral weight
as If they were. The added Endorsements
and instructions of several States this
year. either through conventions or state
committees, including New York and In
diana. place the nomination of Mr.. Roose-
welt practically beyond doubt.
While the matter was still under discus
sion an attempt was made by some to give
Importance to an alleged tradition accord
ing 10 which no person elected as Vice
President and succeeding to the presidency
through the death of the chief magistrate
had ever been nominated for first place.
Mr.. Roosevelt seems destined to break this
record as he has some others. The steady
flow and resistless course of events by
which his nomination has been rendered in
evitable would almost justify him and his
friends in attaching fatalistic meaning TO
what has been called "Roosevelts luck. F"
But luck has not been the dominant factor
In this outcome. 1t is due in much larger
degree to Mr.. Roosevelts steady adherence
to the policies and methods of his lamented
predecessor, and to the splendid manner in
which he has responded to every demand
upon his executive ability and risen to the
height OF every occasion. BY demonstrate
ing his fitness to succeed Mckinley he es-
tablished his claim to succeed himself until
the masses and the managers Of the party
are ready to give it unanimous recognition
From present appearances Mr.. Roosevelt's
nomination will be as spontaneous as was
that of Mckinley for second term.
The choice of the party for Vice Presi-
dent is only a little less clearly foreshad-
owed than that for President. The many
indications and expressions in favor of Sem
ator Fairbanks, made months before the
meeting of the convention, are unusual
as were the early pledges in favor of Mr..
Roosevelt for President. The choice for
that office is generally left to be determined
by the course of events or decided on the
floor of the convention. Four years ago
the certainty of the denomination of Nc
Kinley. a Western man, made it certain
that an Eastern man would be nominated
60, nd ha
unanimous choice. Now, a somewhat sim
liar situation seems TO require the nomi-
nation of Western man for Vice Presi-
dent, and all sections of the country are
uniting on Senator Fairbanks.
Other persons have been named worthy
of the position or worthy even to head the
ticket. as Senator Fairbanks is. but there
seems to be a consensus of opinion that he
unites more of the elements of strength
and in a higher degree than any other. The
indications are very strong thai he will be
! forced TO accept the nomination. The
word forced is used advisedly, because
Senator Fairbanks Is in no sense a candi-
date for the position. and if he accepts the
nomination it will be from sense of duty
| to the party.
Senator Fairbanks's friends in this State
would not consent to his accepting the nom
nation for Vice President at this time il
! they thought it would remove him from
the list of available presidential candidates
four years hence. 1t will not. Nothing
| can do that but death or some grave polit
| ical mistake on his part. Death may come
70 any person, but Senator Fairbanks does
not make political mistakes. If he should
be elected Vice President the fact that h
accepted the nomination in obedience t.
the call of the party would be remembered
four years hence just as it is in favor o.
Roosevelt now. While he is not seeking
the office nor authorizing his friends t.
seek it for him the Journal believes that i
| he should be drafted into the service OF TIN
party he would obey the call. 1t looks nov
as If he would be and If the ticket woul,
| be Roosevelt and Fairbanks.