The Washington times., 1904-09-04
Putnam for Roosevelt.

Among the interesting items in yes
terday's news was the report of a
speech made by George Haven Put
nam, of New York, a Democrat. a
Citizens Union man and a free trader,
in which he announced his intention
of supporting Roosevelt and his be-
lief that the President will be elected.
His reasons for this belief he states
as follows:
First. the continued Generalization Of the
Democratic opposition under the influence Of
the financial rubbish Of the Bryan faction; and
second, the personal popularity-the well-de-
served popularity.-of President Roosevelt
He further says:
First. the continued Generalization Of the
pose and of action His bigh-rninded patriotism
and sturdy character, the earnestness Of his
convictions, the naivete with which he takes his
fellow-citizens into his confidence, the personal
charm Of the man, have secured for him
throughout the country so large a measure Of
personal interest and Of personal affection mot
withstanding sharp criticism Of certain acti7ns)
that the strength Of the Republican party. Of
which he Is the personal leader. has undoubtedly
Oceh largeiy added 10.
In the sentence first quoted Mr..
Putnam has put In a nutshell the two
big reasons why the election should
go in favor of Roosevelt. A party
more thoroughly demoralized and di-
vided against itself than the present
Democratic party has seldom been
seen in the history of our politics. II
is endeavoring to advocate the gold
standard without offending the pre-
JUDGES of all the Westeruers who
conscientiously believe in free silver:
1t is endeavoring to hold up as an
outspoken candidate a man whose
most intimate friends apparently did
not know where he stood on the
money question until after he was
actually nominated; it is endeavoring
to assume an attitude OF superiority
On the Philippine policy, despite the
fact that it takes an expert to tell
the difference between the platforms
OF the two parties where this Dues
ton is concerned.
The personal popularity of Mr..
Roosevelt has been great enough to
cause even machine politicians to see
that their only hope Of continued ex-
istence is TO work with and not
against him. II has been gained not
by concession to corrupt interests but
by defiance of them so absolute and
so fearless that their representatives
know that opposition is vain. II is
SO great that, failing to find any hole
in the Presidents armor of integrity,
the opposition press has had to resort
to Misrepresentation always a clear
confession Of weakness.
Mr.. Putnam's speech would not
have been made were the President
and his policies inimical to conserva-
tive business interests. There is no
business in the world which quicker
feels the influence of an unsafe" man
than the book trade; there is none
which stands in greater need Of the
benefits Of safe" government. Mr..
Putnam is perhaps as good a repre-
of this interest as could be
found in the country, and If there |
were any reason in the world to be
afraid Of Mr.. RooseVelt's behavior as
President, Mr.. Putnam, as a pub
Usher, Democrat, a free trade man. |
and a conservative citizen, would be
likely to attach to It full weight. The
people who are afraid Of the Presi-
dent are the people who are afraid of
honesty.