New-York tribune., 1907-09-12
FOR PRESIDENT FIRST"
NORTH DAKOTA'S FEELING
Senator McCumber Also Says
Hughes Is Liked IN State.
rRv relsrrarl, 70 The Tr.bune.l !

TTsv TELEGRAPH The Tribune
Saratoga y y Sept. lit is the belief or
Senator 2. J. AICCumber. Of North Dakota that
President Roosevelt will receive such a unani-
nous Endorsement at the next Republican Ma
tionaH Convention that he will be forced to ac-
cept a nomination for a third term II now
ever, the President should absolutely refuse 10
consider running again. then the Senator pe-
lieves man who is in absolute harmony with
the policy Of the present administration should
and will be named. That man is not necessa-
rily Secretary Taft. the Senator declares. and
Governor Hughes is well thought Of in North
Dakota. he says.
Senator McCuuber is attending the Natlonai
Fncaraprnent Of the Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie here. where he is a prominent figure on ac-
count of the passage Of the HIcCun1her age pen
sion bill last winter. In regard TO the sentiment
OF North Dakota On the Presidential question
the Senator said:
Our state is first for Roosevelt. IF he is q
candidate or can be induced 70 accept, he will be
nominated If he should refuse TO be consid-
cred. then North Dakota is for some one who It
believes would carry out the policies OF the
Roosevelt administration. Our people have the
impression that the President Will receive such
an overwhelming Endorsement that he will be
forced TO ACCEPT 1 am sure he would think a
long time before refusing.
The sentiment Of our people is that the great
work now being carried on by Roosevelt, work
that viii settle. and properly settle, great
many disturbing internal questions, should be
carried through 10 completion. Our people co
not feel like changing Presidents while this set
tlernert is in progress
DO you think Secretary Taft is the logical
man 10 carry out the Roosevelt policies If tbs
President should insist on retiring?" the SEN
ator was asked
NOT necessarily ha raplv There are
Others who would carry out those policies. I
do not think there is any justification for the
belief that Secretary Taft is the Presidents
candidate If ii true. then there might be
ground for the feeling of some that they DO not
want any President 10 name his successor. That
would be an American feeling. and proper
one
Has the reputation of Governor Hughes
reached your section Of the country?"
Indeed il has, replied the Senator. "Our
people keep pretty close track of what is going
in the United States, and they most heartily
Endorse the course Of Governor Hughes. They
feel friendly toward him and consider him
Presidential possbility-provided. of course that
President Roosevelt declines"
Senator McCurnher said that Speaker Cannon
was not much talked Of possibility in his
section Of the country, meaning as he said, the
Northwest Regarding the chances Of Vice
President Fairbanks he did not want TO say
much. simply this:
The vice-President IS well liked by those who
know him. Those who know him best have the
greatest confidence in him.
Regarding the Presidents policy toward cor
porations Senator dcCurnber said:
His policies should be pursued until the ques-
fion Of the relations between the corporations
and the public IS settled. It will be better for
all concerned when the corporations and public
meet on common grounds and thoroughly under
stand one another
Senator NcCumber believes that the man
pledged 10 carry out the Roosevelt policy viii
win at the next election
My own belief. and what believe is the SEN
-fiH1ent Of the people IN general said the SEN
ietor, is that no man can be elected President
OF the United States in 1905 who don't come out
isQuarely and straight for the policies Of the
present administration If this is clearly fndi-
.cated in his letter Of acceptance by the Repub-
flcan nominee I believe his election will he an
ksolutely certain
: Regarding the cry that the Presidents pol
ttcies have unsettled business conditions Senator
tMcCumber said:
Undoubtedly the activity of the Presidar,
together with the sentiment Of the pubItr
against oversIocked corporations. has had an
effect in the slump in the stocks Of such COR
.porations. but it will have no lasting effect on
flrst class securities and properly managed cor
porations. On the contrary, the effect will be 10
sgiVe greater confidence in such securities"
They have not had much trouble over the
railroad rate question in North Dakota, accord
ang 10 Senator McCumber
The Legislature at the last session fixed
maximum rate for passengers at 2Ia cents a
mile" he said. 1T is now in effect without
ony trouble If can judge from outward ap-
pearances the railroads are not losing anything
because the traffic has greatly increased. The
reduction was from three cents a mile. There
has been no attempt 20 reduce freight tariffs
Senator McCvrnber who has been talking
much with the ,5rand Army men. said that
past commander OF the organization would al
the next session OF Congress introduce 4 bill
raising the pensions Of veterans widows from
,eS 10 So month.
Il favor such a measure most heartily he
added. Under The 1890 pension bill those who
were married and widowed since then do not
receive a pension. They viii undoubtedly be
included in the next pension bill"