The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-07
IN HUGHES'S DEFENSE.
Col. Roosevelt Issues a Signed Edito-
rial in the Outlook

New York. July Former Presi-
dent Roosevelt deals with Governor
Hughes, the New York Legislature and
primary reform, in signed editorial
article in the current number of the
The Outlook. Mr.. Roosevelt writes
as follows:
at believe that Governor Hughes
has been supported by the bulk of
the wisest and most disinterested pub
lie opinion as regards most of
his measures and positions and 1 think
that this has been markedly the case
as regards direct primary nominations.
l know that many honest and sincere
men are on principle opposed to Gov
ernor Hughes on this point and
know also that the proposed reform
will very possibly accomplish less than
it's extreme advocates expect, while 1
am we'll aware, as of course all think
ing men must be, that the worth of
any such measure in the last resort
depends upon the character of the vot-
ers and that no patent device will
ever secure good government unless
the people themselves devote sufficient
energy. time and judgment to make the
device work. Finally, l freely admit
that here and there, where the princi-
pie of direct nomination has been ap-
piled in too crude a shape. or wrong
headedly it has while aboIishing GER
tain evils, produced or accentuated
others-in certain cases for instance.
putting a premium upon the lavish
expenditure Of money.
But while / freely admit all this,
nevertheless feel in the first place
that on the fundamental issue of di-
rect primary nominations the governor
is right and in the second place that
as the measure finally came up for ac-
ton in the state legislature it was well
nigh free from all objections. save
those of the men who object to it be-
4 @k-lV
to any change whatever in the desired
direction.
Those who believe that by their ac-
ton they have definitely checked the
movement for direct popular primar-
les, are in my judgment. mistaken. In
its essence this is a movement to. make
the government more democratic,
more responsive to the needs and wish
es of the people as a whole. With
our political machinery it IS essential
to have an efficient party, but the ma
ought to be suited to demo-
cratic and not oligarchic customs and
habits.
1.-THE question whether in self
governing republic we shall have
self governing parties is larger than
the particular bill We hold that the
right of popular self-government is
incomplete unless it includes the right
of the voters not merely to choose be-
tween candidates when thev have been
nominated but also the right to de
termine who these candidates shall
be-"
Col. Roosevelt gave out the following
statement in regard to the visit at
Sycamore Hill of Representative
Poindexter of Washington:
Colonel Roosevelt will see many
senators and congressman, assembly
men and other public officials, repre-
senting all phases of public opinion. He
declines to be responsible for any state |
ments excepting those which he him
self makes. He has said nothing and
intends to say nothing as to any con-
tests for a nomination If he has any |
thing to say on such a subject it will |
be over his own signature.
"AIl that Mr.. Roosevelt said in this |
case was that he was pleased to find |
that, as he had expected from Mr.. |
past record, Mr.. Poindex- |
ter was in hearty sympathy with Mr. |
views as to conservation
and similar subjects. Mr.. Roosevelt !
expressed no opinion about the sena- |
torial contest and Mr.. Roosevelt be- |
lieves Mr. Poindexter is not response |
BILE for the statements which have APP
peared Certainly, insofar as these
have quoted Mr.. Roosevelt |
except as above indicated, they had no |
whatever in fact"
Col Roosevelt's statement was called
forth by the fact that he took excep- |
ton to special dispatches from Oyster |
Ray last night in which he was quoted |
directly as saying that he would sup |
port Mr.. Poindexter in his contest for |
a seat in the United States senate.