The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-13
ABOUT LA FODLETTE'S WITH.
DRAWAL.

There are still a few Republicans
who honestly believe Senator LaFol-
lctte is yet a serious factor in the
presidential campaign. There are
still! others who even if they knew
he We're not. would persist in claiming
otherwise. because to stir up strife in
tn" Republican party Is their only
means of successful campaign. These
latter like Ephraim. are Joined to
their idols, and to present facts or ar
sumcnts TO them would be violating
n of the Gallilean's precepts con
corning pearls and swine. To this
class this editorial is not addressed.
The Republican who honestly be-
lieves Senator LaFollette Is yet an &C
tive and aggressive candidate will be
found to be Il ma of honest convic-
lions and high integrity. Like all in
telligent men he is willing to listen
to reason and to near facts. To this
class an and candid presenta-
ton of facts in reference to Senator
l.aFollette's relation to the campaign
should appeal. 1t is true tina his re-
verts in q way to the Roosevelt owe
ment. But If Colonel Roosevelt can
IIol pe uOlillIltltu ny IiculS ol IT lult
and honest fight in his behalf he
ought not to be nominated at all. II
Senator LaFollette is out of the race,
what strength he had should go to
Roosevelt in a decision between Roos-
evelt and Taft. If he is not a candi-
date, it would be useless to support
him, for instance, in the North Dako-
ia preferential primary, when such
support would be wasted.
Now let us consider some of the
things which lead a reasonable mar
to conclude that Senator LaFollette
is no longer a serious candidate. The
best evidence in this particular. of
course, Is the public utterances OF
those who were the strongest sup
porters Of the Wisconsin man. Medill
Mccormick Of Chicago mas not only
been the financial support Of LaFol-
lette's campaign in the middle west,
but he was probably as close to the
senator personally as any other man
in the country. Immediately after
the first announcement of L~aFollette's
withdrawal Mccormick made a trip
to New York where he saw Colonel
Roosevelt. After that meeting he
gave out the following statement:
The withdrawal Of Senator LaFol-
lette has already simplified matters
and insures h success of Roosevelt.
In several states where the progress
sivcs are in full control there appear
ed danger that there might be a dis
agreement between the LaFollette
and Roosevelt forces that would aid
the administration workers. 1t seems
to me that this is now ended. ] am
sure that Illinois will now send a
Roosevelt delegation to the national
convention"
Clifford Pinchot is another mar who
stood close to LaFollette for whom
he made a number of speeches. Ger
tainly he can be credited with fidelity
to the cause of the enator so long as
there was any reason to do so. In a
telegram to one Of the former LaFol-
lette leaders in Minnesota last Satur-
day morning Mr.. Pinchot said:
I'm my judgment his CLaFollette's)
conditions is such that his further Sc
rious candidacy is impossible"
John r. Lathrop. one Of Senator
LaFolIette's chief publicity men at
Washington, c a long telegram last
Friday night to his father who is
mayor Of Hastings, Minnesota, in
which he says:
General disposition among pro-
2ressives in congress and elsewhere
Is to go TO Roosevelt. At present
some friction exists between enthusi-
asttc Roosevelt mel and some LaFol-
lette MEN. This may be removed,
end pTc4resslyes unite for common