Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1912-02-02
ROOSEVELT AND HANNA

ROOSEVELT AND HANNA ~
The visit of Congressman Hanna to
this city and his advocacy Of the
Roosevelt boom are worthy of thought
full consideration on the part of the
citizens of this district There are
two sides to the proposition both wor-
thy of careful study.
Roosevelt for President" is slo-
gan to conjure with without question.
His record, his aggressive fighting abil-
ity, his independence, and last but not
least his almost uncanny political skin,
are factors which may decide the next
campaign. No true progressive but
believes in the past record and future
ability of Roosevelt. No republican
will take any stand but that of pride
and satisfaction in the achievements
of the foremost leader the party knew
during the past ten years. The ques-
ton which naturally arises and the on
ly one which we need seriously con-
slider in regard to Roosevelt's personal
ability is the third term question.
Men may argue that technically it is
forced home on us that it is third
term and that if Roosevelt is elected
in the coming campaign the great pre-
cedent of the republic is broken =
Be that as it may, as yet we have no
assurance that he will be candidate
We do not know at this time that the
Roosevelt boom is not false alarm to
be used for Taft's benefit. This is said
with all sincerity and with full know
ledge of the fact that thousands of true
progressive republicans want Roose-
welt and are working for IS nominal
ton. The point is this: We want a
progressive leader for the next stand
ard bearer of the republican party. we
do not care who that man may be if
he be strong and able and trustworthy.
Every possible means that is honorable
should be employed to secure delega-
tons committed to this policy At
present North Dakota is progressive
and there is no question but what a
progressive La Toilette delegation
would nave swept the state had the
issue not been clouded by the Roose-
welt boom. Equally true is the prop
osition that mad the North Dakota
progressive delegation been unable to
secure La Follette's nomination, they
would have swung unquestionably to
Roosevelt or to any other progressive
candidate. At this time, with Roose-
welt not an active candidate a La Fol
lette delegation from this state would
seem the logical and proper policy.
There's a reason. - .-,
81 The reason is illustrated in L., B.
Hanna 1t is this: There is an at
tempt, plain, obvious, and unmistak-
able, en- the palt of numerous stalwart
politicians to rehabilitate their politi-
cal fortunes by climbing on to the
Roosevelt band wagon, that it is time
that the prJgTessives took counsel and
saw whittier many Of them are being
led. E. B.. Hanna wants Roosevelt.
And why? Because he sees an oppor-
tunity to better his own political for
tunes and that alone, for if Roosevelt
stands for tue political honesty and
Iefos III then Hanna and he have moth
ing in common. Thei,. paths are as
far apart*as the two poles. Theirideas
- :s q .=7osed, their principles are OBJ
noxious to one another. Further more,
and this is the other side of the prop
;ositIon fc. US to consider, suppose that
IA ssooscyelt delegation is elected from
this state-a delegation dictated 4 or
controlled by Hanna Mckenzie, Ken
5nedE and our own staiWart influences
by CoWan and Cock burn,
If Rocsevelt's candidacy fails in the
national convention, Wncre. would the
votes of the North Dakota delegation
go TO. "A REACTIONARY, NOT TO
A PROGRESSIVE A Roosevelt dele
cation from this state that is a pro.
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