The Washington times., 1912-01-28
ROOSEVELT MOVEMENT GROWING.

The developments of the last few days in politics
have made it clear that the Roosevelt movement is
steadily growing. Friday, Governor Glasscock Of
West Virginia, after long conference with Colonel
Roosevelt, gave out an interview in which he ex-
pressed his firm conviction that the former Pres-
dent would accept the nomination If it to him.
Governor Glasscock also was especially emphatic in
saying that he would return to West Virginia and
his utmost efforts to get solid delegation for
Roosevelt. Moreover he was firmly of the belief
that his State would without question, send such
delegation to the Chicago convention.
Yesterday, Governor Stubbs, of Kansas, conferred
for three hours with Colonel Roosevelt at Oyster Bay
He declared himself absolutely satisfied that Roose-
welt would accept the nomination if the convention
offered it to him. Governor Stubs asserted tha,
Kansas was "seething with sentiment for Roosevelt"
and he predicted that he would be nominated for
President.
Earlier in the week. Governor Hadley of Mis-
souri,, declared for Roosevelt. Governor Osborn of
Michigan, has declared for him, and, at the sug-
geston of Governor Osborn and other prominent
Republicans, conference of Roosevelt supporters
will be held in Chicago February 6, according to
tentative plans and steps taken to perfect the work
of organizing for him.
In addition to such names as those of Stubbs,
Glasscock, Osborn, and Hadley, long list of Re.
publicans of nationwide prominence might be given
who are insstent on the nomination of Roosevelt
Now, the significant thing about the whole bus-
ness about such declarations and such activities
those of Governor Glasscock and Governor Stubbs is
that they are prompted by just one consideration.
This is that they have sounded the sentiment of the
Republicans in their States and they find it is for
Roosevelt In going to see Roosevelt and urging on
him that it is his duty to accept the nomination. they
simply acting in response to the feelings of their
constituents 1t is not personal admiration for Roose
welt that is driving these men to activity for him.
1t is the fact that he is the for whom there is
the most nsstent popular demand, and he is the man
who above all others appears to them, as to most
Republican politicians the one who can win next No.
vember.
1t is because Republicans want to win next fall
and because they believe Roosevelt lead them to
victory combined with the fact that Roosevelts pro-
gressive ideas have taken firm hold on millions of
Republicans from Maine to California that the move
ment for his nomination is becoming not merely for
midabe, but irresistible.
1t is all we'll enough for the friends of Mr.. Taft to
try to make headway against this situation for them
to open headquarters in Washington, and to give out
optimistic announcements. 1t is all well enough for
them to talk of binding delegates to them by in
structions But the fact is that the delegates the
Chicago convention not going to sit down tamely
and submit to the nomination of ticket that most of
them feel in their bones will be doomed to defeat in
advance. That is not the Republican way Of doing
things. And that is why the spontaneous move
ment for the nomination of Roosevelt is daily gath
ering such tremendous force, why it is drawing to
itself great numbers of Republican leaders who may
or may not be pleased with all of Mr.. Roosevelt's
policies, and why in the long run it will defy and
confound the calculations of leaders who are trying to
shape the course of the Chicago convention in a
fashion utterly at variance with the public will The
Presidential primary is not yet established in this
country. Nevertheless, public sentiment has COM
peng potency that forces public men to have regard
for il.