The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-01
President Still the Center
of Interest, and Poll
ticianS Keep Guess
ing.
Editor of Stats Zeitung
Says Roosevelt VIII Be
Next Republican
Candidate.

They say that President ROoseveIt's
enemies are also interested IN the third
term movement that is rapidly taking
form and substance. Certain il is that
Ills friends are getting interested IN it,
and, more than either, the friends OF
the general program which has come
10 be known as the Roosevelt policy"
Recently "A newspaper man and pOlitt-
clan of wide acquaintance and informa-
ton about Middle Western affairs made
a tour of the States OF the region be-
Sond the AIeghenies. north OF the Ohio.
and as far west a. the Missouri He
turned up in Washington after the
swing around the circle and expressed
wonderment that Washington didn't
realize the seriousness and earnestness
of the demand for another term OF
President Roosevelt.
Center of Real Interest.
THE substance. not the shadow" he
said is what the people demand. The
truth Is that there is no real interest in
anybody but the President Whatever
strength Secretary Taft has is reflection
OF the Presidents popularity. Such peo-
pie as have become convinced that there
is no chance 10 get the President again
are disposed, for want Of anything bet
ter, TO take the man whom he recon-
mends. In truth, the best test Of the
Presidents strength is the strength of
Taft, which is merely a highly diluted
Roosevelt strength.
But the people want Roosevelt. They
feel that his program VIII not 30 for
ward under another man. They are of
the opinion that ne ought 10 know Taft
and SO they assume that Taft is for
the program. But it is the personal
capacity Of the President to make things
move that has endeared him to the
people. He doesn't merely want the
things the rest OF the public wants.
Puts Ideas Into Effect.
There are a number Of men. more or
less prominent in public life, who stand
Tor the same general propositions. But
the President stands for the ideas and
also for their capitalization into law.
The people think he can get results
They are confident that he knows how.
that he has a certain genius for achieve
ment; and that is why they are so in
sistent on having him
Nominate Roosevelt and there will
be campaign full of enthusiasm and
zeal Nominate any other man and
"here viii be no particular interest in
the fight
3 The fact is that, while the President
working for Taft, the people who
ant Roosevelt are thus far not making
mselves felt very much. They have
lt realized the situation It is my be-
f that they viii make themselves felt
fore the convention, and that quite
likely as not, the real public opinion
the country will dominate the con-
1tion.
Depends on Congressman.
i Much depends on whether Congress
dJourns in time to permit members of |
congress TO 50 home and visit their !
constituents before they go to the Re-
iblican national convention The
embers of Congress constitute a con-
cradle percentage OF the delegates In /
ional conventions; and they have in |
ence there vastly out OF proportion /
their numbers. simply because they
ow each other and have acquaintance |
ith the managers.
- Let these Congressional people 90 |
'me and get some new Impressions of ]
e home view, and they will 90 to the |
Invention satisfied that for the party |
nominate anybody else than Roose- |
u IS dangerous. But let them go /
rect from Washington 10 the national /
invention and the result may be diff |
srent"
The foregoing is typical OF the reports 4
hlch come from all parts OF the coun- |
.HaHa 81
ply been rising Of late. The story that
dearst might name Roosevelt en- the
ticket of an Independence League partv
caused cnmmotion in political quarters
because il was recognized as the loeicai
and easy result of forces that have been
at work for long time. The more con-
diJi"ns and tendencies have been ex-
amined BY politicians. the more they
have been disposed to admit that that
very thing may happen.
Ridder Confident of Roosevelt.
Another great Democrat who is con- /
hdent| that Roosevelt viii at last be the 4
.m"n, IS Herman Ridder, editor of the /
View York Stats Zeituug, one Of the /
post influential Democrats in the coun-
Mr. Ridder, like the Journalist
D has been quoted anonymously be-
Is he would not permit the use of
lame, has recently toured a good
"a OF the country. He was in Wash
gton yesterday and declared IT his
inion that the President will be the
indidato TO succeed himself.
IT. Ridder went to the White House
had talk with the President. IT
after that that he declared his
viction that the President would be
minated by his party, and would I
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