The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-03-01
THE PEOPLE AND ROOSEVELT.

Inc Dau 1altn 1nNOlNea IN InS Cdu-
didscy of Col. Roosevelt and its viola
tion Of the unwrttcn rule of official
life for moro than hundred years,
which up TO this time has prevented
any candidate occupying the Presideu-
tial chair more than two terms, is evi
dent on the face Of it. Aside from that,
it is a direct and scandalous personal
betrayal Of Col. Roosevelt s friendship
for President Taft and withdrawal
of his great commentator of Taft as
the best equipped man for the Presi-
dency who ever took the chair,
We believe that the people of this
region generally (aside from the Fed
eral bunch tricksters) will heartily re-
pei the Roosevelt intrusion into this
campaign. The following letter from
George w. Meyer. Esq, Of this city,
we believe expresses the fair and can
did judgment of the people generally
upon this question:
Salt Lake City Feb %.
Editor Trlbune:-I want TO heartily in
dorSe your sentiments expressed in the
editorial columns of your paper on the
candidacy of Theodore Roosevelt.
1t having become fixed policy with
this Government for over 100 years, by
all parties not to elect or support a cam
dldate for third term, and this policy
having been heretofore accepted and ap-
proved and emphasized by Mr.. Roosevelt
II 1t were therefore possible for "A fac
ton, element or part of the Republican
party to place Mr. Roosevelt in noml-
nation, would it be the duty Of Rcpubli-
vention2
1t occurs. to me that II a part, admit
publlcans, should nominate Mr.. Roosevelt
for third term, contrary to the recoG-
nized principles OF all parties for over a
hundred years that 1t would impose no
TO support the nominee. for II the Re-
publican party should SO far depart from
Of Mr.. Roosevelt, who has emphasized this
policy himself, those who believe in II
would not be bound TO support the nom
inec OF this convention. for the party
would be betraying the fixed policy OF the
Government
1 am. most respectfully YOURS.
GEORGE w. MOVER.
In the country at large, there is no
doubt but that the Roosevelt candi~
dacy has failed to arouse the epthu-
siasm that was expected; in fact, the
Roosevelt announcement is rather wet
blanket on the political situation. The
special pleading that Roosevelt is
obliged TO make to apparently justify
his candidacy, the apologetic tone, the
evident reversal of former positions,
the ouibbling efforts TO get out of the
position IN which he voluntarily put
himself, all make. in fact. pitiable cx-
hibItiou of Col. Roosevelt, and under.
mine his position completely. He has
heretofore been bold. outspokeu. ram
pant individual; now he is cyasive. full
Of excuses. and glvcp TO long -winded
explanations which do not explain.
Noting the Roosevelt attempted ex-
culpatioD Of himself from his present
position, where he SAYS that his former
disclaimer Of any Presidential ambi.
tion chad no application whatever to
the candidacy Of a man who was not
At the time in office, whether he had
or not been President before. " The
Independent, in very strong editorial
criticising the Roosevelt position,
makes this reply:
This win not do. The people did not,
and do not now. so interpret the promise
made in 1904. II the Republican party
now deliberately shelves MT. Taft and
nominates Mr.. Roosevelt II win be bid
ding for defeat. Such action could be
taken only after a bitter contest which
would prevent harmony IN the campaign
II would involve the humiliation OF The
President. the sharp disappointment and
anger of his friends. IL would he ac-
ceptcd as the psrtys disapproval OF the
four years record OF its own Admins
tration. it's proclamation that its prcsi
dent had been unworthy or incompetent.
II would give the lie TO It's platform. which
SnnnfE h. CT f,F1
date Is named by q convention. Through
out the campaign the nominee would he
confronted by a broken promise and the
third term cry.
There is no doubt but that is the
straight goods. Col. Roosevelt is out
of the running both by reason of his
own declarations and renmciations.
and also by reason Of his pledges TO
and endorsements of President Taft
1t ~ also quite true, as The fndapen-
dent says, that for the Republican
party 10 reject President Taft now and
dominate Col Roosevelt, would involve
the humiliation OF the President and
the sharp disappointment and anger OF
his friends II would, in fact. do more.
IL would he verdict Of disapproval bv
the Republican party on four wears
of Republican administration. II would
reverse the usual practice OF parties
in giving a>cood officer denomination.
practice which has come to mean
practically a vote Of confidence aud
TO refuse which would be a vote Of lack
of confidence But II = Republican
party is 10 pass vote of ecusure upon
itself, TO declare lack Of confidence
IN its own President, with what grace
can it 20 before the. country asking
approval for itself with dcmagogoc
to lead it' II it disapproves itself amd
elects IFS own administration, it would |