New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
ROOSEVELTS POLICIES
DRIVE MANY FROM HIM
Even Augustus P. Gardner, OF
Massachusetts, RepudiateS
the Radical Recall, etc.
CANDIDACY CALLED ERROR
Several Insurgents Silent on
Topic and Democrats Openly
Rejoice at Split in OPP
--1- ponent's Party.
tFrom The rrisun. Bureau.

Washington, Feb. 2s.-Colonei Roose-
velt's announcement that he Is a candi-
date filed the cloakrooms with political
gossip emptied the chamber and brought
about two definite results at the House
wing OF the Capitol to-day. 1t cemented
the ranks OF the regular Republicans,
who buck'ed on their fighting armor, and
IL aroused exultation In insurgent and
Democratic circles.
Many insurgents rejoiced that the
colonel had offered his broad shoulders
for tie mantle OF leadership so rudely
ierked from Senator La Toilette. The
Democrats, hoping for party supremacy
through discord among the opposition,
grinned and fervently expressed the hope
that the colonel would be nominated.
Nearly every member Of the House was
interviewed. Some were cautiously ST.
Icnt. and others talked. but the sentiment
expressed by Representative Augustus p.
Gardner. OF Massachusetts,. is perhaps
the most direct and Straightforward ex-
nressIon of how scores Of Republicans in
the House feel tonight. Representative
Gardner n son-in-law Of Senator Lodge,
and a Roosevelt admirer. said:
"I had intended to support Roosevelt
until read his Columbus speech. With
very real regret I find that his funda-
mental views are so different from my
own that cannot support him. l am
very strongly opposed to the Initiative,
the recall and the review OF judicial de-
clsions. II the Republican national plat
form shall declare for the Initiative, ref
erendum and recall, I shall refuse 10
stand on that platform In my candidacy
for Congress"
say Roosevelt Made Mistake.
In private conversation other Repup-
IIcans declared that Colonel Roosevelt
had made a great mistake; that he had
"overshot" himself that personal am
hilton had caused him to plunge back
ward. not forward, and that the country
would repudiate the idea of third term
and radicalism and would turn toward
President Taft as the true Progressive
Regular Republicans acknowledge that
,ho ontrv of Colonel Roosevelt has COM
nIicated matters from a party stano-
point. and that the fight must neces-
sariIv take bitter turn. Urging the
nartv 70 rally to the Presidents standard
IN the present party crisis, Representa-
tive Mcclure, OF Oklahoma, said:
"The President is patterned on the
lines of the lamented Mckinley the
follows who are making the big noise
AGAINST him either wanted positions ano
did not get them, OF are being prosecuted
NV him for violations Of law. PRESIDENT
Taft has never shown one symptom OF
heing a demagogue. He Is courageous
and vet modest. He has a high sense OF
iustice AMI integrity. I am for him. ana
the country should be for him.
Comments made by the progressives
are, similar in tenor. Numbers, however
evaded any expressions OF opinion To-
day. doubtless awaiting word from
home" Among those who had nothing
n say we're Representatives Prouty'
uausen and Good. of Iowa; Akin, OF
New York, and Cooper OF Wisconsin.
Representative Morse. Of Wisconsin,
who said he was La Toilette supporter
untii II was shown that the Senator's
nomination was impossible, glowingly
na,nted a picture Of Colonel Roosevelt
Continued on second page.