The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-23
Il. R. Declines to Talk About
Kansas EIectOr Situation.
81 Will Not Be Interviewed on
This Matter"
LEAVES ALL TO FRIENDS
Bases Judgment on Condition
Reported by White.
At Ottawa He Wanted Candi-
dates to Follow Electors.

Roosevelt side stepped and lodged
Kansas issues while in Topeka Satur-
day night and William Allen White
his rational committeeman, apologet-
ically explained tht the Chief Bull
Moose knew the situation only as his
advisers told him and suggested that
perhaps statements of Kansas affairs
should be made by roxy. That was
after the interview was terminated
however, and Roosevelt was busily ex-
planning the Third party cause to the
crowd at the Grand opera house
He had made this significant state
ment, however, at Ottawa during the
afternoon:
'sTG we can't get our ticket on the
ballot without having Taft's name over
it, 1 trust that every Progressive can
didatC will get off the ballot and out
from under the Taft heading
1t was after the speech at the Audi
torium Saturday night when Roosevelt
was urged to discuss Kansas condi
tions He had just finished his speech
to the 5000 people in the Auditorium
and had escaped from the crowd
through a side door and with White
as a pilot, landed safely in Governor
Stubbs' private car. Stubs himself
was tangled up in the crowd, lost his
hat and was late in reaching the
Grand. Two reporters found a place
on the Stubbs car and rode with
Roosevelt and White to the Grand.
Bully, glad to see you" exclaimed
Roosevelt as he shook hands with his
reliable left in order to save his regU-
lar handshaking attachment.
''Yes. oh yes,'' the Bull Moose lead
er declared in response to a question,
kansas seems natural-the same old
progressive. active Kansas. And, oh
yes. they still talk the Kansas Ian
guase out here, too"
Doesn't Know About "Situation."
"Of course, Colonel Roosevelt, you
are pleased with the situation out
here?'' the reporter urged.
Really now. you know I haven't
been here long enough to say any
thing about conditions" said Roose-
velt as he pulled his overcoat collar
around his neck. Il have only been
in Kansas a day, you know"
But you naturally know the presi-
Dental electoral situation here. What
90 you think of the plan to remuVe
YOUR electors to the independent COL
umn?''
I heV emit anything to say about that
at all and do not wish to give out an
interview concerning it, was the en-
phatiC declaration of the rough ride-.
It was evident that he did not desire
to discuss Kansas politics. But the
reporter tried again.
''Well, Col. Roosevelt" he persisted,
will the removed. of your electors in
lure your chances of carrying the state
in the November election?'
My dear SIR said Roosevelt whose
two rows of pearly white teeth shore
IN the light of the white way. Il have
told you three times I will not be IN
terviev ed on this mater I would break
a policy to submit to you. Please do
not persist"
Then the car StOnDed at tho Grand
and Roosevelt was rushed to the stage
Back in the wings, William Allen White
was sought.
What does Col. Roosevelt think os
the situation in Kansas % the Pro-
gressive committeeman was asked.
He says it is alright declared
White, but he is taking our word for
1t. All he knows about the conditions
out here is what we tell him. If we say
1t Is good or bad. then he bases his
judgment on our opinion"
At his Ottawa meeting. Roosevelt
discussed the Kansas situation briefly
lie gave the ultimatum that his sup
porters should follow him to the inda-
pendent column, and urged the Bull
Moose candidates on the state ticket
to accompany his electors to the indie
pendent column.
In his Ottawa speech. Roosevelt said
in part:
from the beginning he said ..o,,r on
position has attempted to defeat US
tnrough poltlcal trickery, because it has
known it was useless to try to do il otu-
wise. =
Here in Kansas the RepubIicans fought
IL out fairly and by nearly a two to one
Note you decloed that I was the rightfuI
nominee of the party. The proper officiaIs
OF the Republican party Instructed the
secretary of state to carry oTf ire 1yjI
But am informed that the secretar,- Of
state, contrary to the expressed will of
the voters, has decided that 'TaFt's name
should go upon the ballot When that de-
cision was made, the only thintr 70 5o -
what Mr.. White did-take the Foro9ressi1-o
electors off the ticket. But we 6on.+ 1rs,,t
10 take them off until we know we car
get on again.
IF we can't get our ticket on ,5e l,,1
lot without having Taft's name over ~
] trust that every Progressive canG,r,.+e |
VIII get OF the ballot and out from un-
der the Taft heading
I'm no proper sense of the word is Nrr |
Taft the nominee of the party but rn5rr |
the law in Pennsylvania. his name had
to go at the head of the ticker 80
structed for me to stay on thu ticket m
der Taft'S name. But l refused ana
held then and hold now that no s1IDnorter !
of mine with my consent shall go on the |
voter to believe he was voting against !
me
Roosevelt flayed Judge Thompson. Dem
ocratic nominee for United States sesaa- |
tor He declared that statements bv |
Thompson to the effect that his 1904 cam
paign cost SIG. 600, 600 were absolutely false |
The Bull Moose chieftain also scalded J. |
Ralph Burton, who is this year a Demo-
cratic nominee for the legislature In his
Salina paper, Burton had devoted two |
columns to ugly questions propounded TO |
Roosevelt but to these questions the rough |
rider paid not the least attention. He |
urged his crowd to stay with the ship and |
assured them that the cause was gaining |
strength and that New York and others !