The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-05-10

eNemplficaton oil MS SINCERE anu uishh-
terested belief in his doctrine that the
people should rule"
The New York Evening Post, one of
the strongest Taft organs in the coun-
try and one of the bittercst opponents
Of Col. Roosevelt comes to the from;
wish a handsome Acknowledgement Of
his honesty of purpose in relinquishing
his Massachusetts, delegates-at-large. Tn
Evening Post says:
ut would be unfair to question Mr..
Roosevelt's motives in announcing, as
he did so promptly yesterday, that he
did not want the eight delegates-at-
large of Massachusetts. Elected by a
ballot mistake, and in opposition to the
clearly expressed preference of the ma
jority, he declares that they ought 10
vote in the Convention for Mr.. Taft and
that he will strongly urge them 20 do
so. This is one of those square and man
" actions in political life which every
body must admire, and which should not
he meanly criticised II is in line with
the early tradition about the character
Of the ideal Roosevelt, which he has
unfortunately done so much since to shat
ter. For our part, we give his course in
this business ungrudging praise, and
shall not join with those who are inti-
mating that it was all trick. designed
in the first place to effect public opin-
ion and then to make sure of 70 or 80
delegates in Oregon and Illinois in re-
turn for the eight handed to Taft in
Massachusetts,. We prefer to regard It
as simply one of those instant and in
stinctive decisions by Roosevelt. at once
expressing his sense of the right thing
to do and hitting the sentiment of the peo-
pie between wind and water. for which
he has always been noted. That it was
adroit politics does not alter the fact
that it was handsome and honorable
Under the caption, People Against
Bosses" the Chicago Tribune speaks of
Col. Roosevelt's action thusly:
"Col. Roosevelt's prompt remuneration
of the eight MISUNDERSTANDING from Mass
achusetts is consistent application Of
the principle which he and his support
ers are fighting for throughout the
country.
THAT principle is, Let the people
rule.'
I'm a total vote about 1iS,O00 Mr.. Taft
received less than 1900 more than Col
Roosevelt. But small as it was, 1t reg
istered the direct vote of the people and
Col. Roo 'evelt asks that it be followed
in spite of any technical claims.
The position thus taken is refresh
ing and significant contrast to the
sordid violence of machine politics which
gave Mr.. Taft delegates in Indiana,
whore no one doubts a direct preference
primary would have swept the state as
it did in Illinois for his rival, AMI
which gave New York and Kentucky TO
Taft
The Pittsburg Leader contributes the
following comment On Col. I,oosevelt's
lction under the caption 1.-THE sSquare
Oeal:''
THE attitude of Theodore Roosevelt in
he case of the eight Roosevelt delega-
es-at-large elected at the Massachusetts
primary, Tuesday, is only what might
AVE been expected of him.
1T is unusual for a man engaged in a
'reat political battle 10 surrender any
hing to the enemy, even under the
emand of plain principle, but that
5 what Roosevelt has done.
in urging the eight delegates to vote
or Taft because the states preferential
ote showed plurality for the President
) exactly what everyone who knows
he real Roosevelt expected he would |
o.
HE BELIEVES IN AND ACTS THE
QUAItE DEAL FOR AN ENEMY, JUST |
HE SAME AS FOR A FRIEND. THE
QUARE DEAL Is THE SQUARE |
EAL ROOSEVELT Is SQUARE"