Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-07
Believes Popular Vote Would
Make Him Party Nominee by
Large Majority.
PERSONAL VICTORY NOTHING
Only Became an Active Candi-
date because Men Of His Po-
litical Beliefs Needed
Effective Leader.

Oyster Bay, N. r. March a-Colonel
Roosevelt's views Of the present political
situation and his reasons for entering
the campaign were explained by him to-
day.
As he trudged along the road from Oys-
ter Bay village to Sagumore Hill on his
way home from church the former presi-
dent talked freely OF his prospects and
briefly stated that his reason for entering
into a political campaign as nm active can
didate was that men who share his politi-
cal beliefs convinced him that they need
ell an effective leader. As to the pros
poets Of victory. Colonel Roosevelt ex-
pressed the opinion tina; on popular
vote he would be the choice Of his party
by big majority. How far this result
might be modified by the interpretation OF
the machinery Of politics ne was unable
to say.
Colonel Roosevelt said that he supposed
a great many persons wouldn't believe It,
but that he had not wished to enter the
| fight
, SO far as a personal victory IL con-
cerned, don't care" he declared with
snap Of his fingers.
! In 1901 he said. his position was OIL
ferent. He was DESTROYS Of the nomina-
ton because he wished the peoples seal
of approval.
TEST CANVASS FAvORs HIM
Colonel Roosevelts assertion that he
believed n large majority of the republic
can voters favored him was made when
he was informed of the result OF test
canvass Of voters in different sections
Of the country. showing an alleged ratio
Of . to / for Roosevelt. The colonel said
he thought that about represented the
situation.
In all but four or five States. including
Delaware and Utah. Colonel Roosevei,
said. he believed he would receive ma
jority on a popular vote. He added that
he felt confident he would have ma
jority Of the Pennsylvania delegation to
the national convention. He was told
that the test vote in New England had
given him an alleged slight lead over
President Taft, and he said that he
wasn't surprised at that.
When Colonel Roosevelt reached
home he took up the political situa-
tion with several prominent men who
are his guests at Sycamore Hill
Former Senator Albert ]. Beveridge
Of Indiana had come TO Oyster Ba,
to go over the Indiana situation
Former Congressman Fred lands OF
Indiana arrived last night. Amos Pin
chot Of New York. brother Of Glfrort
Pinchot, former United States forest
err John Bass. brother of Governor
Bass OF New Hampshire. Benjamin Id'
Wheeler, president OF the Universit,
of California. and Lieut.. John q
Greenway OF Bisbee. Ariz.. an OLE
friend OF the colonel in the "Rougl
Riders" were the other guests.
INDIANA MOST DOUBTFUL.
The Indiana situation was gone over
. Colonel Roosevelt said that Indiana wa
the weakest OF the western States, from
the viewpoint Of the Roosevelt forces. I
the issue could be put TO popular vote
3 he said, he believed a majority Of the en-
rolled republicans would favor his cause
o But as there was no primary system 4
n Indiana for the expression OF preference
as to presidential nominees. he said. tn
result was In doubt.
Senator Beverage expressed much tn
same view. There was a Roosevelt move
ment In every district. said the senator
but It would be pretty hard to defeat tn
organization which he believed would rul
the convention