The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-03-01
ROOSEVELT
MEN ORGANIZE
$50 FROM OVER STATE
GATHER AT PARKERSBURC
Decide to Open Headquarters ut
Charleston to Promote Col-
Oners Candidacy.
Roosevehs Columbus Speech
Criticised by Some Of Con-
vention Speakers.

special Dispatch 10 the lntelligencsr
PARKERSBURG. w. Va, Feb. 2e.-
The much heralded Roosevelt meeting
was held here today and brought about
$50 Republicans from over the state.
At one time the size OF the audience
In the Auditorium theatre this after
noon reached $50. Thirty-seven coun-
ties were represented. but there were
no large delegations from any one
county except Kanawha, which sent
thirty-two. several OF whom were
newspaper correspondents. who came
on business and not to boom the can
didacy Of anybody. There was a great
many speeches, none OF which criti-
cised President Taft or his admins.
! tration except by an occasional infer
ence, but all extolled Roosevelts per-
sonality and his vote getting ability.
! II was notable that his candidacy was
not advocated from the standpoint OF
any vital issue. The most prominent
speakers frankly disagreed with some
OF the colonel's views as expressed In
his Columbus speech. But one speaker
who made reference TO that speech en-,
dorsed n single advanced proposition
that Roosevelt advocated at Columbus
and he was Ex-Governor A. b. White.
who spoke in favor OF the initiative
and referendum. but did not refer to
the recall of judges.
Jumps Roosevelt Platform.
Emmett NJ. Showalter. secretary OF
the convention. delivered vigorous
reply to Wheeling and hamered the in
itiatve and referendum and the recall
OF judges with forceful blows. w. p.
Hubbard, the chairman OF the conven-
/ ton, frankly disagreed with Roose-
welt on these propositions and also
on his extreme ideas OF military and
naval greatness, but he waived them
/ aside and accepted Roosevelt on the
| theory that he could get more votes
! than Taft
There is a marked difference OF
opinion whether the meeting was as
largely attended as was expected. Its
promoters profess that II was, while
the local Taft men declare they were
surprised that Il was not more largely
/ attended. IL was. however, very en-
thusiastic. an enthusiasm which
seemed TO be inspired altogether BY
the personality OF Roosevelt, rather
than any political principles.
Ask Presidential Primary.
Inc upshot OF the convention was
resolutions passed calling on the state
committee to arrange to submit the
candidates. OF Taft and Roosevelt to
the party voters in the June primary,
the sending of congratulatory tele-
gram to Colonel Roosevelt and the
taking OF steps to systematically pro-
mote the Roosevelt candidacy In
West Virginia. At the head OF this
organization is Ex-Governor Dawson.
rms organization will open headquar.
| ters a. Charleston.
The meeting was called to order at
l:SO o'clock this afternoon by Senator
! ID. B. Smith. OF Huntington. In per-
forming this function he set forth the
purpose Of the meeting. then called
Hon. W. p. Hubbard TO the chair to
! preside as temporary chairman.
Mr.. Hubbard Speaks.
Mr.. Hubbard spoke at some length,
giving his reasons why he thought
Roosevelt should be nominated The
principal one was that he had ad-
hered to the principles OF Republican,
ism. He stated he was not in accord
altogether with the initiative. referen-
dunn and recall as advocated, al
though he was not afraid OF the first
two. and N the people cannot have
the right 10 name their candidates.
then he was in favor OF those princi-
ples. He also said that President Taft
had not held 20 some Of the provi-
rbn~ OF tne pihIorm OF lsOb OF the
Chicago convention In adhering to
policies OF the administration of
Roosevelt.
Others who followed Mr.. Hubbard
with speeches we're Ex-Governor A. n.
White. % this citv. Arnold G. Scherr.
~ Charleston: r. NJ Showaltcr. OF
Fairmont. Senator s. n MONTGOMERY.
e. =. Dorr. of white sulphur: Hon. c.
W. Dion. candidate for Governor.
James Mcintyre. ~ New Martinsviiie:
Prof ~ = Greene. Of Morgantown:
Col Dick" Bobertson. of Wheeling.
and Others
e W Dillon said that he came %
the meeflnE ~ meet the Republicans
% West Nirrinia. and expressed his
belief that N the people wanted Nr.
RooseVeif 81 their candidate they Rad
ne riFhf 20 have Who they uanfed.
He also said they had the rieht 20 say
uho fhe DELEGATES cent - fhe Chi
earn convention should vote for
30 aI fhe Freeches made ~ the ~.
fnrroon rrrrf ne ruf ore 90 ne speak-
ers eait Fresifeuf Tar couif rot bs