The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-03-01
WIDE SPLIT IN
RANKS imminent
Republicans View with Concern
Tatt.Roossyet Contest.
new ALIGNMENT TAKES PLACE


Executive Lose Supporters Since the
Latter Ma5e His Definite Announce
.ment-spsech at Columbus Of Colo.
rel Roosevelt Becomes the Real, Is.
sue Before Politicians. -@ ~
Washington, Feb, 27.-A wide split
In the ranks Of the Republican party
became apparent as Republicans in
the capital expressed their views ON
the. letter Of Colonel Theodore Roose
welt, placing him among the ,candi-
dates for the Republican presidential
nomination -
1T became apparent that through the
Keoseyelt.F'aft fight for. the nomina,
tion there Will dsyalop a Widespread
,discon tent in the party. Both Roose.
welt and Taft lost supporters in the
Rev alignment. That Roosevelt's rad
zeal views, as expressed in his recent
speech at Columbus, o., have cost
HIM friends and supporters among the
Republicans in the national capital
was evident ", = y
The attitude of many Republicans in
congress was expressed by Represen
tative Augustus Gardner of Massacht!-
sets, progressive and close friend
Of Colonel Roosevelt. Gardner, in
carefully prepared statement, Joined
the Taft forces. He asserted his per
sonsl fFiendiiness for Colonel .Roose-
welt and his, sympathies with his mo-
tiees, but took exception to the Rooss-
Welt attitude on the review by the
people: of the constitutional decisions
of the judiciary: f,E,ls ..-
Hail Rooseveit's Candidacy.
Practically all OF the radical progress
sires among the Republicans. except
such Wisconsin members of congress
as were pledged to Senator La Fol.
lette, climbed aboard the Roosevelt
band wagon with considerable enthu-
siasm. They heartily endorsed the
progressive, principles set forth in
Colonel Rcosevelt,s Columbus speech
and hailed: The ANNOUNCEMENT OF his
candidacy! as the placing 3oS a strong
leader at the. head of the progressive
element OF the Republican party,
The : Columbus speech Of Colonel
Roosevelt became the real iseue before
Republican politicians- The prospAct
Of q Republican split That would re-
suit IN the nominations Of a dark
horse became brighter al Republic
ans endeavored to accept or reject the
colonies pronuneiamsnto. ), 49,.
The recall of constitutional deci
sions was the great stun bling block
IN the way OF many members of con
gress, who were otherwise inclined to
support Roosevelt Many Republicans
cobld not bring themselves to: the
point Of subscribing to this political
doctrine. Despite their. inclination
toward Roosevelt many found them.
selves forced to Steer clear OF commit,
tins themselves for him. ..E...
* Regulars Much Disturbed. -
The old line regular Republicans in
Washington we're much disturbed BY
the situation. They recognized that
the Roosevelt announcement made
damaging inroads on the Taft support
ers, but they could, not bring them:
selves TO believe that the Rooseyeit
candidacy called for general support.
AZ consequence few of the old line
Republicans would declsre themselves.
A rather painful silence overshadowed
the old guard. .'
The headquarters established in
Washington by the Taft interests Nat.
~ declined to comment in any way
upon the. announcement OF Colonel
Roosevelt. The Taft managers we're
in an embarrassing position and they
refused 10 be involved '.. y,
1t is generally admitted here that
Roosevelt did an sdroit thing when III
the last sentence of his letter to The
governors he wrote a challenge TO the
Taft people to, submit the question be
tween himself and the president TO q
popular primary.
The TAFT managers do not look with
favor upon the primary scheme. Its
possibilities. particularly, In some of
the Middle Western aud Western
states, are too great, They take the
attitude that there 10 no snch thing
as a national primary. that such mat
ters are state affairs and that thete
is no need to make any answer TO the
Roosevelt demand 49,
~. >