The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-06
LaFOllette Declines to With draw, But Supporters
 Desert Him
MCCORMICK OUT FOR
 COLONEL ROOSEVELT
Sends Telegram Urging Illinois In- surgents to Send Roosevelt Dele gates-Two Announcements
 Cause Furry in Capital

Washington. February 5.-senator La1 Toilette. through his campaign manager, announced tonight that he would not withdraw from the race for the repuh- Hear nomination for President. Fast on the heels of his declaration one of his most ardent supporters President Medln Mccormick of the Illinois Progressive Republican league. issued call to tho Illinois progressives to desert the LaFol- lette standard and to work for solid Roosevelt delegation from Illinois in tho Chicago convention.
 The two statements created a furry in progressive political circles. The first statement was made for Senator LaFol- lette by Col. w. L. Houser his man- ager, and chairman of the national pro- gressive republican committee It was IS follows:
 Will Not Withdraw
 Senator LaFoette finds il necessary to take a few weeks rest. This may prevent his making speeches in the states which are to hold early primaries and his friends in those states will make such campaign for him as in their judgment win best serve the progressive prin- ciples which his candidacy represents.
 "ln any state where his friends find it impossible because of his present inability to fill speaking engagements to secure the election of delegates for him they will best serve the progressive cause by mstructing delegates where they find 1t possible to do so, for thorough going and definite principles which he has ad- yocated and aided in embodying in pro- gressive measures.
 Represents Insurgency
 Senator LaFollette was urged to be- come a candidate by the most active pro- gressive republicans of the country be- cause they believed that he, better than any other man. by the whole course of his political career, represented these prih ciples. He would never have con- scented to stand as q candidate exeept- ing in good faith Though Ire iinas hla plan3 mterferrsd With by his tetnhoraly indsposition In fufillment of the implied pledge which his candidacy made to those who have always believed ill thu sincerity and constancy Of his purposes his name will be presented to the na- tional republican convention and dele gates will make an aggressive contest for his nomination and for strong pro- gressive platform.
 "Whatever time Senator Lalfollette can devote to the campaign after taking d needed rest for a few weeks will he given subject Go such demands as his official duties make upon him"
 McCormick's Call
 Mr. McCbrmiek's call to the members of the Illinois Progressive Republican league was made public an hour later. 1t was telegraphed to the league head quarters in Chicago as follows;
 considering all the circumstances, n- cluding senator Lalollette's physical con- diton in the opinion of the oYerwhelm= ing majority Of progressive republicans, members of both houses of Congress. pro- gressives in Illinois must unite to send Roosevelt delegates to the next national republican convention. With Roosevelt and Jones the progressives can sweep Illinois and establish in state and nation progressive administrations which will substitute policy of positive leadership for 4 policy of compromise with principle and concession to special interests
 The Jones mentioned as a runniug mute on the ticket with Roosevelt is the pros gressve republican aspirant for the gu- bernatorial nomination of Illinois.