Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1912-01-31
AN OPEN LETTER.
Editor Potosi journal:

Editor Potosi journal:
Having seen it recently stated in
Globe-Democ"at that Missouri Repui
licans are fot the denomination OF
. President Taft, and seeing that las
Thursday Coz sressmah Bartholit an
Secretary Nagel came all the way fC
Washington to Kansas City tha
they might scartain the true sta>u
Of the case, believe it tie time 10
the country people c speak out am
let these distinguished gentlemen kn,
just where We staud.
: also believe it time for the coun
try press, Which, as a rule reflect:
he sentiment OF the people On al
public questions, to speak out, tina
those who are really and truly hung
ering and ilirsting after correct
political know ledge may be informe.,
| knowing the Journal to be in ae.
corf with NE on this question, her
with inclose copy Of recent lett
to Col. Roosevelt, which Contains III,
lWieNs and sets forth some Of ths
reasons for he faith that is in me
Yor have 10. permission to publish
| the letter.
Very respectfully,
| N. E. RHODES.
Potnsi, NO. January 18th. 1912
| Dear Mr.. R0osevelt:-EOu will pro
ably remember ne as a member oil
the 59th Congress. Whether You dc
| or not | am for you for President
| in the coming campaign, and beg tC
rge You to allow your friends to
use "O1lr name as & candidate fol
the nomination. | WIS a delegate to
| the national convention in 1908 from
the 18th Missouri district. and sup
| ported Mr.. Taft for the domination
| | energeticaiiy supported him in the
campaign. because believed him 10
he the hest fitted man for the pres
idency at mat tim".
While | have neither lost faith IN
the man or cOnfiden&e ir the SIN
ceri,y OF his purposes, yet | DOUBT
if Mr.. Taft can be reelected IN the
coming campaign. My opln'cn Is bas
ed ,ipon what | have gathered from
Republicans who never have, and Wht
never will hold officl. This class OF
men as a ruie express themselves IN
unbiased and unpre indeed manner,
and their Judgment can h" taken as
she true political larometer- MY
further belief is that 80 Fer e.
this class of Republicans are not Tor
,Ir. Taft, and that d large num1er Vi
e'N en- refuse 10 vote Tor llm in the
event of his nomination. n fact, /
have heard many 50 express them
selves. To h.ar politicians Ernr!biin2
complaining and even threatening to
vote against 4 man. rs rule is not
dangerous, Tut to hear these COM
plants coming from the non-oftice
seeking class is dangerous and sisni-
fies MIR Tafts most certaih defeat.
| am a country lawyer i'll general
pra :tice, close 10 the people, with my
ear to the ground, anh / am certain
ana not mistaken ;;ijout the matter
A large ma jOrity Cfthe Republicans
IN Missouri are enthusiastically Tor
you. They are certain you can De
nominated, and certain OF your elet-
ton by an overwhelming majority.
They do net feel thi, way about the
candidacy OF any other iian whose
name has been mentioned in coDnec-
| ton with the presidential nomination
Probably five per cent are for Mr..
Fo,, Cn ,tr,,r
LaF Toilette. and Mr.. 'raft's support is
| Substantially limited to his appoin-
tees. While | shall vote for the
| nominee whoever he may be, vet |
| should regalt the noInination Of Mr..
Taft a calamity. Uuder Your leader
ship We can Hin, but under the lead
crship of Mr.. Taft We cannot win.
Mich activity is being seen among
| ihe Taft people at this time, and
| more will be seen il tn: immediat
to know that their aopes tan only
be realized II holding an early CON
vtntIon. II you will allow us to use
your name before the convention, |
know we can give You the 18th Mis-
souri district. and | believe We can
glye YOU the whole state in the
rational convention. However. we
"ueht to know at the earliest posi-
o." moment hat your position in tn,
matter is. have IL" hr7or 10 re-
nam.
Very respectfully.
NJ. L RHODES.
-oi. Theodore Roosevelt, OYSTER Bay