The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-22

New York, Feb. 22.-Characterizing
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt as the
greatest teacher our country ever
had" the exponent of equal oppor..
popular rule" and saying that I'm
every hamlet or city Of the country
he is preferred by to over his
principal opponent" Governor Hiram
w. johnson Of California has issued
a formal statement of his change OF
support from Senator LaFollette to
Colonel Roosevelt as the Republican
presidential candidate.
The governor assatled the admins
tration Of President TAFT. which. he
said. had transferred the Republica n
party from the high tide Of success
to it's ebb.. with confidence In 1t sadly
shaken" and declared that Ito con-
tinue with the leader whose three
years have wrought such disaster can
mean only political suicide"
The California executive pays high
tribute to Senator LaFollette, Of
whose candidacy he had previously
been an ardent supporter. but declares
''in aClifornia, with the cause ever
the determining factor. It 10 obvious
that pfogressive policies can be best
accomplished at present Through the
leadership OF Theodore Roosevelt"
Governors Statement.
Governor Johnson's statement 10 "a
follows:
California is progressive. pledged
by overwhelming majorities to GER
tain definite governmental policies
and principles, the fundamental un-
derlying one OF which IL that this gov
ernment belongs to the people and the
people shall rule.
t.
cess and consummation of these poll.
cies than in the success or election
Of men. The present national politi-
cal struggle typifes in some respects
that from which we in California
have recently victoriously emerged.
The Republicans OF the United
States ask the selection Of certain
man as. a candidate for president: the
politicians. with their usual disdain
country and those to whom 1t belongs
Of the burden of selection of presf-
Dental candidate. and without the
consent Of the public. and in defiance
OF their wishes, through manipulation
Of southern delegates composed Of
federal Office holders. and political
machines in northern states. are en-
deavoring to nominate the present
president as that candidate.
Left 1t to People.
I'm California (and speak. Of
course. only for the group Of pro-
gressives with whom I am familiar)
we gave evidence Of our faith in De-
cember last by announcing presi-
dental preference primary law.
The state organization was in our
hands: the power was ours under the
law to send delegation to Chicago
OF our own choosing, but following
that definite policy. from which there
has been no departure since the old
machine was there overthrown. we
have put up to our state the question
OF Its preference for candidates and
have weighed and yielded the ad-
vantage and power which came to us
legttimately by victory at the last pri-
mary
Our people. therefore. will decide
at the polls by direct primary how
Caltfornia's vote shall be cast in the
national conventions. And 1t is Just
this sort of thing. the yielding of pow
er and advantage to the determination
OF the people because Of their right
netween the progressives and the re-
actionaries.'
''Greatcst Teacher"
The sdmiration Of California pro-
gressives for Senator LaFollette il un.
diminished and they recognize his
splendid services and great sacrifices
for the cause In California, however.
with the cause ever the determining
factor. 1t is obvious that progressive
policies can best be accomplished at
present through the leadership Of
Theodore Roosevelt.
"Mr. Roosevelt Is recognized through.
out the west as the greatest teacher
our country has had. He has not only
our respect and admiration, but our
affections as we'll.
Helped State Fight.
He 1t was. we believe. who aroused
the public conscience and by his cour.
age and firmness for the right, made
possible our victory and the redemp-
ton. OF our state government from the
Southern Pacific machine.
ITO him the west has ever looked
as guide in Righteousness in govern.
ment, a. the exponent of equal oppor.
tunity for all, and as the champion Of
popular rule: Today there is not
hamlet or CITY in this country where,
VI on ballot legitimately taken. the
people would not by to / prefer him
to his principal opponent.
What a travesty upon q boasted
government Of the people that with
this overwhelming sentiment that
there would be for one instant doubt
Of the result? =,
-Four years ago Mr.. Roosevelt