The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-07-31

The esteemed Herald Dispatch Of Huntington apparently mis-
understands the position of the lnteligencer in regard to the Re
publican state ticket and its presumed endorsement by the proposed
third party TO be organized by MI. Roosevelt and his friends. The
lntelhgencer mas said and continues to say that every Republican on
the state ticket must prove his own regularity, his own loyalty TO
the party, and his own devotion to the entire ticket, state and
national, before he can expect to command the support OF other Re
pubicans. In other words. every Republican candidate upon the
regular Republican ticket in West Virginia must declare himself 10
be a regular Republican. After he has made such a declaration. and
after his own attitude is clear, he may or may not receive tn c en-
dorsement OF a third party; but neither by word nor act, by secret
suggestion nor public preachment, can any regular Republican can
didate encourage the formation and organization OF a party move
ment inimical to the National Republican ticket. The place for
every man to prove his loyalty to the Republican party is in the
ranks OF the National Republican organization and back of the cam
didacy Of William II. Taft.
The Herald-Dispatch apparently confuses the present situation
with the situation in 1908, when a considerable element of the Re
publican party IN West Virginia opposed the candidacy OF {. w.
Swisher. The Republicans in West Virginia who opposed Charles
W. Swsher in 1908 never made a claim or pretensc TO the organiza-
ton OF a third party. They conducted their fight within party lines.
They submitted their case to the National Republican Committee
N II Is no secret that the final adjustment of the controversy was
due very largely to the influence actively exercised bv members Of
the National Republican Committee. The opponents Of c. w.
s"lSher accepted a compromise which was distasteful to them solely
Tor the purpose OF securing party harmony and helping ~ carry tho
state for the National Republican candidates.
he movement proposed by Mr.. Roosevelt is not a movement
"ltml IN Republican party. 1t is not an independent Republican
organization. 1t contemplates the formation OF an entirely distinct
and separate party. II invites the support OF Democrats. and i i,
Itself a blow aimed at the very existence OF the National Pe,,hi;.,n
organization. 1t is inconceivable that any man calling himself =
Republican and believing in Republican doctrines can for 4 moment
countenance or encourage a movement that has for its rI,ir,a,. 49,
pose the complete destruction OF the National Republican marty
50 lar IS the proposed endorsement OF the Republican s,ats
Candidates by the third party men is concerned. il i nv - r.,,s
certain that such an endorsement will be offered. In other states
hotapy IN Michigan, Illinois and New York Mr.. Roosevelt L,s DO
m"nded that an independent third party ticket be ~, - ,ha So,
Il Is probable that he will make the same demand in Ves, Ni-irn;a
II So 1t VIII make the fight cleaner and clear cut-a fcbt b.,roo,
.esud' NePu'n'anism and third Partyism. That fight mus, come
SooneT or later and the lnteihgencer is inclined to believe ;ha, the
sooner 1t comes the better.