Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-08
ROOSEVELT WILL
BACK PRESIDENT
Best Political News That Mr.. Taft
Has Received in Many
Months.
ENDORSEMENT UNQUALIFIED
Under No Circumstance Will the
Colonel Allow the Presenta-
ton of His Own Name at
National Convention.
ENDORSEMENT UNQUALIFIED

Washington, June 6.--In his candidacy
for the presidential nomination in 1912.
! resident Taft will receive the unquali- |
fed endorsement of former President
Theodore Roosevelt, which will be uttered
Just rs cordially as IT. was prior to the
campaign of 1898. This is the best politi-
cal news Nj. Taft has received in many
months, and it comes to him in a manner
which leaves no doubt as to its authenu-
city
The Information that Colonel Roosevelt,
under no circumstances, will allow his
own name to be presented to the republic
can national convention was conveyed to
the White House several days ago, but
It did not become known until tonight.
That Colonel Roosevelt feels that the Taft
adninist ration should be continued was
evidenced partly by the cordial greeting
between the two men at the jubilee of
Cardinal Gibbons in Baltimore to-day.
Whether Mr.. Roosevelts approval of
MIR Tafts candidacy will go far enough
| to take the former president into the cam
IAign as an active stump speaker is
) Iroblcmatical, out that the force Of his
, personality will De with the President Is
assured. This fact Is not expected to
I prove pleasing to republicans who have
| made no secret of their desire to bring
| Colonel Roosevelt forward formid-
! able rival for the nomination. Many OF
/ these republicans no doubt will refuse
| to abandon hope until Colonel Roosevelt
! himself, in a quoted statement. announces
| his position and thus breaks the silence
since landing in Now York on his return
from his African hunting trip
FRIEND OF BOTH BORE NEWS.
The information that Colonel Roose-
Welt would be found aligned with the
President, rather than against him, was
| brought directly tc Mr.. Taft from Mr..
| Roosevelt by a mutual friend high in Off
cial life who was connected with both
Tie Roosevelt and Taft administrations
in capacity which enabled him to gain
and retain the confidence. in fact
the warm personal friendship of both
mon.
The meeting ut Baltimore between the
| President and Mr.. Roosevelt was only
| incidental TO the celebration Of the Car
dinal Gibbons jubilee. but 1t was an In
cident that awakened the political in
terest OF the senator's and congressman
and others in official life who saw the
two inen together. They met first in
armory, where the celebration was held.
| They talked together there 10 minutes.
They shook hands with old friends they
chatted, laughed and behaved just as
they used to do when Mr.. Roosevelt
was in the White House and Mr.. Taft
was secretary Of war. They carried the
spirit of friendship up to the platform
and sitting side by side they convorsed
in undertones much OF the afternoon.
Mr.. Roosevelt WAS glad also TO see
"Uncle Joe" Cannon. he shook hands
heartily with Vice. President Sherman: he
expressed the greatest pleasure Mt seeing
Senator Penrose and of course. Senator'S
Root and Lodge. both old friends, came
in for the old-time afeCtiorate greetings.
Altogether, the scene resembed a re-
publican love feast
CORDIAL GREETING NOTED.
Mr. Roosevelt reached Baltimore be-
fore the President and was waiting for
him at the armorY.
"Hollo. Mr.. President" said he, in the
high pitched voice that Washington used
) TO know so well, I'm so glad to sec you
! want to inquire about Mrs. Taft
Hello. Theodore" replied tho Presi-
dent. How are YOU"
After the colonel HAD said nice things
about everybody In the party, he was
taken aside by the President The two
men were together about 10 minutes
beyond ear range Of any other person
Afterwards # was said they talked
about Mrs. Taft's health" The Presi-
dent invited the colonel to come 10 Wash
lngton on June to he his guest in the
White House at his silver wedding ami
versary. Mr. Roosevelt said he would try
To- manage it,
Since he had 10 return Immediately
to New York from Baltimore. Mr.
+ Roosevelt declined an invitation to be
! tho Presidents guest hero tonight
/ The President arrived in Washington
t at seven o'clock. After the meeting
: broke mp both mon walked over tc
congratulate Cardinal Gibbons, After
Q he had shaken the prelate's hand, the
: President extended his hand to tn,
I colonel
l Good bye Theodore" said he. Their
he leaned forward on Mr., Roosevelt.
shoulder and whispered something
hoth laughed and the meeting was
over