The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-11-08
FOR r

Or Congressman Eben w. Martin of
Deadwood, this state. and one of the
leaders of what is known as the
sssta)wart" element of South Dakota,
In personal letter to the editor of
the Daily Public Opinion of this city,
expresses the conviction that Presi-
dent Roosevelt will be renominated.
When Mr.. Martin left Washington
last March he gave out an interview,
immediately following a visit at the
white house, 10 which he u%nreserved-
" pronounced for the denomination
OF Roosevelt. Some months there
after, while in Washington prepara-
tory to a visit with Secretary Taft to
Cuta, the canal strip, Senator A. b.
Kittredgs, having visited the execu-
tive mansion, declared for Taft for the
presidency. The stawlaft faction, as
IL 10 called, at ono began to Cline
up'' for Taft In this state, upon the
assumption that Senator Kittredge
was speaking by the card," a tip
emanating at the white house.
In September last, during the
state fair week, the state admins
tEation forces. under the banner Of
Roosevelt League raised the
slogan of Roosevelt, and nobody but
Roosevelt. for the presidency.
Following the declaration Of the
Roosevelt. League,n the stalwarts
appeared to have lost at last a little
prestige. There were indications
that they were somewhat at sea, for
the sentiment for Roosevelt was
growing into a belief that he might,
sitter all, be induced to modify the
declaration he made on the night fol-
loving the last national election.
At this stage Of the situation,
former Congressman Martin, the
soFlRinal Roosevelt man in the state,
1osfar as . public declaration Of men
sof prominence is concerned. stepped
dp#with an interview In his home
paper, the Deadwood Pioneer Times,
declaring for Roosevelt's first choice
and Secretary Taft as second choice.
a. the same time he pronounced
against LaFollette as either choice.
Secretary TAFT being the undoubted
choice Of Roosevelt.
The stalwart element seems to have
fallen Immediately into line with
the position taken by Kittredge and
Martin, and its war-cry now is
Roosevelt for the presidency, but if
he will not accept it, then TAFT must
b nominated.
The alignment in this state, with
a#continuation OF the present status
0lsafiairs with regard to the p1esi.
detssy. will be along the lines
Indicated The stalwarts will be for
Roosevelt first, and Taft second; the
ssinsurgents," OF state administration
forces, will be for Roosevelt for tue
sssonly CHOICE" with a decisive lean
Ing towards La Toilette II they have
TO make q second choice. The state
administration newspapers are already
seeking tosdiscredit Taft, while the
1talSart newspapers are giving him
unsttnted praise and pointing out
inst be Is ~unreservedly committed
70 the presidents policies.
view Of the complicated situa-
eton.in thisstate the former congress.
mans recsnt letter to the editor Of
the! Watertown daily is peculiarly
Interesting. especially since it is
known that his lirst declaration for
Roosevelt followed a visit to the
e1ocuttve mansion. He says la part:
while the president is not a can
A6ldate and doubtless will not be.
Indications are very strong that the
Eeplblicans Of the country will insist
upon his denomination. II the
noinination should come to him
under such circumstances, he could
hardly decline to continue his
0ervices. No man can say what
may develop, but my present
eony!ction is that he will be renom.
15lnAted. He, on his part, is
known to have a decided choice as
20 his successor In view Of a contin-
ss0atiOn Of the policies he has started
a1noperation. He would not consider
INIT duty to take another term
unless Il should become apparent
ttat his work would fall into
~nDfriendly or incompetent hands.
HI york must 60 forward With
SsVtgof and sanity. The keynote Of
the Presidents Industrial policies Is
saldsllcl0ts Justice TO all, and unrelent.
All1s psosecution OF wronp-doers. In
sast6ls %situation Il Is equally import
aa1eathat his successor should neither
be aSsreactionary nor a ~radical.n
~ Insurgents are calling for the
s1llnbli0atton OF the record of Senator
81 EfEffAdnc., thinking thAfehv that