East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-09-22
ROOSEVELT MAY
TAKE THE STUMP
NOT UNLIKELY TEDDY
WILL WORK FOR TAFT.
National Committee Believed to De-
sire ROOscvelts Aid in Campaign
Specches-Would BE Without Pre-
cedent-Presldents Appeal TO Vo-
ters Campaign Most Bitterly
Fought Since In 1892.

Washington, Sept. 22.-It is stated
that upon his return to Washington
today President Roosevelt will be
urged by republican politicians to
take the stump in behalf of Taft. Such
an action on the part of a chief ex-
ecutive of the nation would be who'll
ly without precedent, and it Is not
considered likely that the president
will consider such a proposition un-
less II should appear absolutely ne
cessary to insure republican success.
Especially since Roosevelt in letter
to william b. Mckinley, chairman Of
the republican congressional COM
mittee made public recently appeals
to disinterested citizens to join with
the national republican committee in
a movement to elect William II.
Taft as the president, and
re publican congress to support
him. After reviewing some of the
important legislation Of the past sew
en- years the president declares that
Mr.. Taft and the republican candi-
dates for congress seek election on
platform which specifically pledges
the party to continue and develop the
policies which have been acted up
on for several years past.
All the aid that can be given to-
perpetuate the policy of the govern
ment as now carried on, the presi-
dent says, should be given by every
good citizen, as It is far more than a
partisan matter.
If there is only one speech by Mr..
Roosevelt. it undoubtedly will be.
made in Cooper union, New York,
the scene Of many historical political
gatherings of the past. Mr.. Roose-
welt is going to be criticised, of
course, for making speeches at ALL
but a speech to the people of his
state. It is figured, would he less sub
icct to criticism than speeches else
where. Not that Mr.. Roosevelt would
worry greatly over criticism. If he
decides that he can with propriety
enter the campaign in behalf of Taft,
fear of adverse comment will not de-
ter him. He has been criticised be-
fore for disregarding precedents, but
it would be difficult to single out one
act of his which the American people
people as a whole have condemned.
The managers for Judge Taft, of
course. are elated at the prospect OF
having the assistance of President
Roosevelt. With Roosevelt Taft and
and Bryan on the stump, the republic
cans have decidedly the b est of it,.
There are no other men in either
party who can get the public ear as
these three men can get 1t, and If 1t be
true that Taft is not so strong on the
hustings as is Bryan. Roosevelt more
tran balances the scale in favor Of
the republican candidate.
There has been a lot of complaint
of apathy in the campaign, but things
promise to be lively enough during the
next six weeks.
Unless indications are all at fault,
this Is going to he the hardest fought
and most uncertain presidential cam
paign since 1892. Whoever wins is
going to know he has been in the
fight. There are no illusions of easy
victory about the national headquar- I
ters Of either party Both Chairman
Hitchcock and Chairman Mack are
preparing to contest every inch of
ground. The democrats are going 10
be compelled to make a defensive
in some Of the heretofore
safely democratic states, and there are
few states in which the republican
will allow matters to.
take care of themselves. Northern
and eastern democrats are united for
the ticket as they have not been for
years. while there is republican dis |
satisfaction in the same states. In
some of the southern states demo-
Gratis are so dissatisfied with the tick /
ct that their leading newspapers are
openly boiling It and encouragement
is held out to republicans to hope for /
a political condition such
as this doesn't make for easy victory.