Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-07
ACTED FROM SENSE OF DUTY
Was Assailed Then with Same Argu-
ments as Now.
THINKS PEOPLE BEHIND HIN
Says He Wants Primaries to De-
velop Extent of Support.
DIXON REPLIES TO ~MKINLEY
He Says He Represents Western
Governors to whom Roosevelt
Addressed Statement that He
Would Accept Nomination.

MINEOLA, l. J., March 6.-secretary
stinson's speech IN Chicago last night
supporting President Taft for the repuo-
llcan nomination brought from Colonei
Roosevelt today. a tart reply.
.In regard to lMr. stimson's statement
that against my original intention l am
being forced by certain persons into the
arena this year, need merely say" de-
clared Colonel Roosevelt that the state
ment is correct. only in the sense that
ii would be correct to make the same
statement as TO my advocacy OF Mr..
stimson for governor in 1910. In that
contest, as in this, was exceedingly re-
iuctant TO be drawn into the contest. In
that contest. as in this, acted only from
q sense Of duty to the people as whole.
and in that contest was assaled With
precisely the same arguments by the
great majority OF those who are now as
sailing me.
III had considered only my own per-
tonal interests and personal preferences
] should Of course have kept out Of the
1910 campaign, have let the machine re-
main in control at Saratoga and seen tho
state 70 democratic by 10000 majority.
As under those circumstances II certainly
would have gone. ] went in because l
conscientiously felt that It was my duty
to take my part in the fight for honest
government. for genuine self-government
by the people. without regard TO the con
sequences to myself, and am in this
fight on precisely the same basis and for
practically the same reasons.
stimson Owes Him Nothing.
LET me add. in view OF the questions
OF certain friends. that neither Mr.. Stitn'
son nor any other man whom ! have
supported for public office owes me any
gratitude for doing so; + support a man,
not to get his gratitude, but because
believe he win render good service 10
the people, and ask nothing from any
man in return except that he render such
service to the people. and I Judge him
seeordingly.
AS for the question concerning who
are forcing me into the arena the an
swer Is easy.
Which side Is making the demand for
ppen primamies. and which side Is sitting
this demand wherever possible. refusing
10 aceede to Il save under compulslon and
trusting TO the use Of patronage, TO such
methods as those tried In the recent con-
sressional convention at Excelsior
Springs, NO., and TO those machine lead
srs who have turned a complete somer-
bault as regards the president during the
last four yesrs7
These leaders are managing the cam
baign against me. and II they were de-
hberating trying to wreck the republican
party they would follow precisely the'
tactics they have been following-tafics
which make Il seem that they Ttkd
rather see the republican party deNated
than see It restored to what II was un-
ter Lincoln. and see 1t become again the
genuine party OF the people, the party
that stands for real popular rule. and for
the highest ideals of social and indus
trial justice. 10 be achieved through
popular rule.
Wants Primaries Everywhere.
I'VE stand for direct presidential prefer
Initial primaries everywhere. in Massachu-
letts, in Illinois in New York. for in New
York the present primary law. passed by
The machines OF the two parties is ex-
pressely designed TO prevent either party
from escaping the control Of the pro-
tesslonai politicians and from falling un-
der the control Of the people). IL our op-
ponents wish the people TO have their
hay. let them support real primary bills
III in open primaries without coercion
or fraud, without pressure brought by the
use Of patronage or by the promise or by
with the Withholding Of patronage the
plain people OF the rupbliean party de-
klare that they did not wish me TO be
dominated, then most certainly do not
wish the nomination. II they declare that
they do wish me. not In my interest. but
In the interest Of the people as a whole.
then, as have already said. | will ac-
eept, and VIII strive to serve the people
with all Of whatever powers ! possess" J"
Roosevelt Doing Jury Duty.
For the first time in his life Colonel
Roosevelt served today as q juror and
ut the county court house here he is
earning g g day. A crowd greeted
Colonel Roosevelt when ne reached
Mineola from Oyster Bay. A case
continued from yesterday, It was an
nounced. would take up most OF today's
session. so Il was unlikely that Colonel
Roosevelt would be called TO sit in a
case today, but since the present case
might be completed in time to neces-
state the selection Of another jury today
the Jurors were not excused. Colonel
Roosevelt accordingly put in the time in