The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-03-04
COL. ROOSEVELT CONFIDENT.
Thinks He Would win in Convention II
Candidacy Were Submitted to People.

Nutnks no WOulu win In convention IL
Candidacy Were Submitted to People.
OYSTER BAT. March 2.--Col. Roosevelt
vas confident to-day that IL his candidacy
could be submitted directly to the people
IN all the States he would win in the con-
vention. He was Interested in the can
vass made by the Newspaper Enterprise
Association as reported in THE sun to-
day. In which the total straw vote stood
So.46s for Roosevelt and 1896 for Taft.
Mr.. Roosevelt said he thought the can
vass reflected the situation with fair
accuracy.
Some one expressed surprise that the
report OF the canvass in the New England
States gave Col. Roosevelt slight plural
ity over President Taft. The Colonel
smiled. 1t didn't surprise him bit. he
said. He added that he is sure OF ma
jority OF delegates in Pennsylvania and
that In Gil but four or five States, includ-
ing Delaware. he would get the majority
of delegates on a popular vote.
One State which even the Colonel's
most optimistic boomers are inclined to
ooncede to Taft is Indiana. and il was
to discuss the situation there that ex-
Senator Beveridge came here to-day
to join ex-Congressman Fred I.andis
OF Indiana. who arrived at Sycamore
HUI last night. They hope to hit upon
a plan to wrest Indiana from the control
OF the Republican regulars. who will
dominate the State convention. and to
nnd way TO secure IA majority of the
national delegates for Col Roosevelt.
The Colonel says that Indiana is the
weakest" of the Western States. He is
certain that majority of the enrolled
Republicans there favor his cause. but
fears that what he believes would he the
voice of the people will not be the voice
OF the convention. and in Indiana they
have strict convention rules ON the se-
lection OF delegates.
Ex-senator Beveridge when he arrived
on the noon train admitted the Progress
sives had hard fight ahead in this State.
He said that there was "a Roosevelt or
ganization in every district. but that "un-
fortunately" there is no Presidential
primary. Amos Pinchot. Gifford's brother.
who is said TO be helping finance the Roose-
welt campaign and who is one of the
Colonel's most frequent visitors. was
present at the conference to-day. as were
John Bass, brother of Gov. Bass of New
Hampshire. and John c. Greenway of
Bisbee. Aria.. formerly a Lieutenant in
the Rough Riders. Col. Roosevelt's
brother-in-law, Douglas Robinson, whose
son Theodore Douglas Robinson is a can
didate for delegate to the national con-
vention from Herkimer county was also
a guest at the Hill to-day.
In regard to his chances in the conven-
ton Col. Roosevelt will not venture a
prediction. He asserts that he has no
perso nal ambition 10 serve. adding with
a laugh that lots of folks will not believe
that. and that except that he has taken
up the leadership of the Progressive
movement he doesn't care snap of his
fingers about the result He said that in
1904 he wanted the seal of approval on
his work as President, and that then to
have lost the nomination would have
been n bitter dsa ppoin,ment: now every
thing is different, he says. He hopes to
zee the principle for which the Roosevelt
Progressives stand win out. and is willing
II necessary in fighting for them to face
personal defeat. He expressed surprise
at the lack of appreciation displayed by
the ultra conservative element of the
trend OF poltical and social events. They
seemed to shut their eyes. he said to
coming changes which are inevitable.
instead OF stepping into assume control
He had been convinced by men who shared
his progressive views that he was the only
man who could lead them effectively.
President Benjamin lde Wheeler of the
University of California was a visitor at
the Hill tonight. He arrived much later
than the Colonels more strictly political
callers and will remain over night
Before the first of his guests came this
morning Col. Roosevelt INDUCED in his
regular outdoor exercise. which he never
misses when at Sycamore Hill. by walk
ing to church and back That would
mean six miles only Some of Mr.. Roose-
velt's guests caught up with him as he
neared the entrance to Sycamore Hill
on the return trip and he jumped into the
automobile.
As the Colonel was passing through the
outskirts Of the village mongreI dog,
excited apparently by the vigorous way
the Colonel swings along, gave chase and
barked.
THAT must be conservative who con-
siders me dangerous Progressive said
the Colonel