The Oakes times., 1912-01-25
THURSDAY. JANUARY Is, 1912

no. to the Leader question as to
whether or not the Times would sup
port Hanna in case of his nomination
for governor. Since the question was
asked. Alex. has come out as candi-
date for treasurer, so we presume he
does not wish to commit or "criminate"
himself, so we will not insist further.
We would ask, however, that Alex. be
as lenient with Mr.. Hanna and not in
sist on his declaring allegiance to La
Toilette.
The Times has never been
accused of cowardice in taking
position on any public ques-
ton, and in this regard it is
very much unlike the good
friend (?) of the Leader, Mr..
Hanna. The Times can not
answer the question in the
negative or affirmative, for the
simple reason that it does not
know. AS was stated in these
columns before, at is not up
to The Times what it will do
1t is up to Mr.. Hanna" Mr..
Hanna's public career in this
state has been wholly on the
side of the Mckenzie machine.
At heart he now favors the re-
nomination and reelection of
William Howard Taft to the
presidency but he knows it is
not the popular will in North
Dakota, hence is afraid to go
on record. But instead of sup
porting the administration he
starts his machine working in
the interests of Theodore
Roosevelt, because he knows
the ex-president to be very
popular man in North Dakota,
and he knows too that by split
ting the progressive vote be-
tweer Roosevelt and LaFol-
lette, that the Taft stock will
jump up few points in conse-
uuence and there will be hope
of carrying the state for the
present occupant of the white
house.
The Times has never said it
would not support Mr.. Hanna
as some of the county news
papers have stated. 1t can
support him with a will if it
believes him to be candidate
of the people and not part OF
the Mckenzie machine. The
Times has heard on very good
authority that Mr.. Hanna will
make statement before the
primaries that will clear up all
doubt as to his attitude, and il
IS said that it will be satisfac.
tory to progressive republicans
Would it not be we'll for all tc
await the statement? Person
ally, The Times editor has
great respect for Mr.. Hanna as
a man, and will give him al
the opportunity in the world
to right himself with the peo
pie. But Jim Buchanan is {
good business man, is just as
clean, is just as good a republi
can as Mr.. Hanna, and is muct
closer to the people. We al
ways know where he stands
and The Times is in favor Of
his nomination.
The Times also favors the
nomination of Robert NJ. La
Toilette for the presidency
There was something of {
prejudice lurking in our bosom
against the Wisconsin states
man until we began studying
his life and works, and the more
we read of him, the better w.
came to like him. He is an in
veterate worker, deep think
er, sound and constructiv.
statesman, and a friend of tn,
people. He may not be nomi
mated for president, but w
can't help but admire him jus
the same.
The editor of The Times i
a candidate for office, but lik
other candidates, is entitled t.
his political beliefs. He doe
not question the right of tn
editor of the Leader to supper
Mr.. Hanna or any othe
candidate for any other offic'
he sees fit, but the same righ
should not be denied Th,
Times. A man is entitled t
his convictions, but if tn