The Washington herald., 1910-09-12
By WILLIS J. ABBOT.

Special 70 The Washington Herald.
St Paul, Mimi. Sept 1.-They call
ed it conservation week In St. Paul,
but as matter Of fact it was polit-
ical week. In a beautiful auditorium.
with extraordinary acoustic properties.
governors and Senators talked about con-
servation, but in the hotel Hobbies and
on the streets everybody talked politics
Rather before 8 o'clock in the morn
ing was awakened by a stentorian
voice IN the hall Of the hotel. shouting.
I tell you that these progressive pei
icies are going 10 carry this country;
we have just begun tie agitation which
is 10 put them into final effect.
And at p o'clock the same night 7
listened 10 an insurgent candidate for
the nomination Of the Second Congress
sional district. one z. T. Halbert. de-
nouncing his stand-pat opponent. the
present sitting member. Congressman
Stevens. for having voted against a bill
introduced in Congress by Champ Clark.
putting trust controlled products on the
free list. I asked Mr. Halbert what he
would do n such a bill were introduced in
the next Congress by Democrat I will
vote for IT," said he, amid the cheers
Of ali his auditors. whether Il is in
troduced by a Democrat, a ProhIhition-i
fist or a socialist
This is the temper OF the Minnesota
public to-day To a certain extent Il
was shown by the apathy manifested
in the reception TO President TAFT and
the wild enthusiasm which greeted the
arrival OF Col Roosevelt
ROOseveITs personal Circulation"
Concerning Roosevelt and his future
purposes. I was told this by a Western
newspaper proprietor who has been a
friend and supporter Of the colonel ever
since he was police commissioner IN
New York:
col Roosevelt did not for a mo-
ment believe prior 20 his arrival in
New York. after his African trip. either
that duty called him to be a candi-
date for President in 1912. or that Ia
could be nominated TO that office. but
after the great reception given 10 him
on his return. and somewhat as a re-
suit OF the multitude Of letters sent him,
he became impressed wita the enormous
influence he possesses with the AmerI-
can people. This Western trip Of his.
undertaken in part 20 test that influence,
has already convinced him Of its ex-
tent and power. He said 10 me:
Your newspaper reaches perhaps 10000
readers daily and you appreciate the re-
sponsibility OF addressing so large a body
OF citizens. but what do you think of my
personal circulation am IN a position
toreach with argument and appeal in favor
Of those causes which I hold 10 he GOOD for
the nation a million people daily through
speeches and their publication in the
newspapers. That IS a responsibility
which no man can lightly ignore. I felt
it my duty 10 go out and battle for the
things in which I believe, and what the
personal outcome 10 me may be is a
matter for fate and the nation 10 de-
eide"
Sentiment for His Recollection.
Whatever Mr. Roosevelts original or
present views may be. only man both
mentally and physically blind could ques-
tion that the effect of his trip has been
TO create in this section Of the countryta
prOdigious sentiment in favor Of his re-
election. The sentiment is not wholly
Republican either. Indeed, should say
that have found in St Paul almost as
many Democrats shouting for him az
Republicans. while not a few members OF
the latter party. usually those who ara
supposed TO be identified with the in
terests, decry him, and ont Of that sit
uation has come the sentiment that there
may develop an entirely new political
party. 10 be headed by him and mains
tanned by the progressives Of both par
ties
I talked with Mr.. R. 3. Shippen, a pros
porous manufacture from Georgia. Ha
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