The Washington herald., 1907-12-27
1n ANGED HIS MIND
Roosevelt Had Declined to
Run for Vice President.
Mr.. CURTIS WON ACCEPTANCE
Kansas Senator, as Representa-
tive OF Western Delegation, First
Roosevelt Had Declared that He
Would Not Accept Nomination.

The Presidents recent repetition OF his
slectlon-night statement that he would
not De a candidate for reelection recalls
10 many reminiscent minds the fact that
once before in his career he accepted
nomination which he had given the coun-
try TO understand he would not accept.
That nomination was for Vice President,
as running mate to Mckinley. in 1900
Mr.. Roosevelt, then governor OF New
York. had proved so much of a match for
Senator Plat and the other leaders OF
the Republican party in New York that
1t was decided, il possible, to shelve him
by making him the Vice Presidential NOM
inee Gov. Roosevelt. bent, as he
gave the country to understand upon
succeeding himself at Albany. repeatedly
declared that he would not accept the
nomination If it were proffered him. Sen
ator Curtis. Of Kansas, was the man who
first secured from Roosevelt a promise to
accept the nomination. under clrcum-
stances which lie prescribed, and which
were brought about by a coalition Of
forces engineered by Plat and Odell, and
70 which Mark Hanna gave his aid when
he found that It might imperfl McKinley's
interests If opposed.
Goes Direct TO Roosevelt.
The Senator from Kansas was teIe-
gTaphed for by N. a Lowe. OF Topeka.
leader OF the Kansas delegation 10 the
national convention. and asked TO repair
1t once TO Philadelphia, where the Re
publican hosts were gathering. lie went.
Kansas. Lowe told him, had decided that
Roosevelt was to be its choice for Vice
President if he could be induced to agree
10 accept the nomination if offered TO
him. 1t was suggested that Senator Cur
It's go 20 Representative Sherman, OF
New York, who was believed TO have the
ear Of the governor of the Empire State.
and induce Sherman to secure a direct
statement from Roosevelt as TO what his
attitude would be in the event that Kan
sas should publicly declare for him be-
fore going into the convention.
But Senator Curtis did not believe in
such roundabout methods. he would
himself go to Roosevelt and secure the
desired statement This was agreed TO.
and he went direct TO the hotel where
the governor of New York and the other
members of the New York contingent
were Quartered. He told Roosevelt that
the kansans wanted 10 declare for him
that night, but that they did not wish
20 waste their ammunition. as would be
the case II he intended TO stick to his
expressed determination 10 decline the
nomination.
Agrees to Accept.
Under no circumstances, was Roose-
velt's reply, in effect. if not In form.
will I accept the nomination if 1t comes
from the East. But if my Western
friends believe that 1 should run for
Vice-President, and if the nomination
comes from them, 1 viii accept it."
Senator Curtis assured him that Kan
sas would nominate him in the conven-
tion, and Roosevelt satisfied, suggested
that his caller go up al once and see
PLAT and Odell. who had rooms in the
r same hotel. They jumped at The plan.
and wanted TO make arrangements TO
carry il out right away But Senator
Curtis reminded them that he was not a
member Of the Kansas delegation and
suggested that they send for Lowe This
was done, and before they finished CON
FORMER
Senator J. r. Burton was TO make the
nominating speech on behalf Of Kansas.
placing Roosevelt before the convention
IS candidate for Vice-President The
New York leaders realized that the
chance they had been longing for. the
means Of securing the elimination Of
Roosevelt from New York politics. had
come 10 them. and they lost no time in
bending ali their efforts toward bring
ing other delegations from the favored
section into line for the governor. Penn
sy9vania had already declared for Roose-
welt, and that night the Kansas delega-
ton unanimously put itself on record as
favoring him for the nomination. Then
the entire delegation went up TO the hotel
and Informed the governor Of its action.
Hanna Is Brought Round.
1t had been intended to present the
name Of Deliver Of Iowa. for the second
place on the ticket. Hanna was in this
movement, but he was not disposed 10
Join in the landslide that was gathering.
but events followed quickly upon each
others heels. and his hand was forced.
New Mexcos delegation was holding
a meeting when Gov Roosevelt bannanad
20 pass near the hall The New Mexi-
cans included, counting delegates and
supporters. number of Rough Riders
and plainsmeR, who had made Roosevelt
more or less an idol A newspaper man
recognized the passing governor. and run
ming after him, suggested that he come
over and speak TO the Southwesterners
Roosevelt demurred, declaring that he had
no time to spare, but he was prevailed
upon 10 give five minutes TO the New
MeXicans- He wore a soinbrerolike hat
and his appearance was greeted with
CHEERS A speech was called for and
made and then everybody present had "a
shake hands with the speaker. so a line
was formed, and the governor held 2 re-
ceptlon- lie left as he had come. amid
cheers. and he was hardly out of sight
when the New MeZicans held a caucus
then and there and unanimously declared
Tor Roosevelt for Vice President.
Threaten II Revolt.
Then. the story goes, word was sent 70
Hanna, who was understood TO be the
principal obstacle in the way OF the New
Workers. nomination. that unless he were
nominated for Vice President on the NOR.
row, New Mexico would present his name
70 the convention, not fer Vice Presi.
dent. but for President.
No move could have been more shrev5
Both Mckinley and Hanna desired tbe
formers nomination for the Presidency
70 be by reclamation No dfscordent
note could be permitted 10 mar the per
feet harmony that had been arranged
Tor regarding the first place on the ticket
50 Hanna was brought to terms. II was
gossip about the convention halls thai
Hanna had wired the condition OF affair
10 Mckinley, and that the terse reply