Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-03-11
DIXON CHALLENGE
HAS ROOSEVELT
ENDORSEMENT
'COL0NEL TAKES ISSUE
WITH TAFT'S CHAIRMAN
Objects to Mr., MckinIey's Re-
ply in Which Presidential
Nomination Campaign is Re-
ferred to as a Game

Washington. March l0.--Copies of
a letter on the subject OF presidential
| preference primaries. written by
Theodore Roosevelt to senator Jo-
scph NJ. Dixon director of the Roose-
welt national headquarters here. were
given out tonight by senator Dixon.
/ Colonel Roosevelt apparently en-
( dorscs Senator DiNon's challenge TO
! Director Mckinley of the TAFT head
quarters for such primaries, and
scores Mr., McKinley's reply that he
did not favor changes in the rules of
! the game while the game was In pro-
gress.'
Colonel Rooseveit's letter IN part
follows
! MY Dear Senator Dixon:--I have
| received your letter of March .. stat
| ing that in your opinion II is OF vital
| importance to the success of the re-
/ publican party in the November elec-
tons that the republican national
convention shall nominate the candi-
date whom the mass of the repub-
| lican voters wish nominated, and
| therefore this sentiment should be
given expression through presidential
pro ference primaries in the several
states in order that the wishes of the
voters may be obtained before, in
stead of after the nomination.
Il have also seen your correspond
ence with Mr.. Mckinley. You pro-
posed to him that as far as possible
the selection of the republican cam
didate for the presidency should be-
determined by the voters of the party
in the preferential presidential pri-
maries. Mr.. McKinleys answer is
contained practically In one sentence
in the letter sent you: 1 do not favor
changes in the rules of the game
while the game is in progress
The point Of view expressed in
that sentence contains the issue with
in the republican party at this time.
We who stand for a progressive cause
for the cause of honest and genuine
democracy genuine representative
government. hold that political con-
test between parties, or within parties.
IL not carried on as a game; is not
carried ON for the purpose of Win
ming prizes for the contestants, on
with view to the personal wishes or
welfare of any one man..
we hold that it should be carried
on for the purpose OF ascertnining
and putting into effect the will of the
people so that the people may Jointly
do for themselves what no man canj
do so well 10 them.
We hold that the object Of this
contest Is not to secure rewards for
individuals, but to secure the more !
effective government of the people /,
by the people.
our opponents. on the contrary, |
take Mr. Mckinleys view that we are
engaged in a game in which the in !
terests of the people, it is true, are at
stake, but In which the people them
selves are not to have their choice
Mr.. Mckinlcy's position was stated
l. *.
Campbell on behalf of the reaction
airy element in the republican party
when in a recent speech in which he
is quoted as arousing the greatest en-
thusasm by declaring that the repub
lican party does not believe In an APP
peal from the umpire To the bleach
ers.'
Mr.. Campbell has simply stated
more frankly the Views held tas Is
evident by Mr.. McKinleys statemenD,
generally among our opponents. Their
feeling Is that politics is II game, that
the people should simply sit on the
blcachers as spectators and that mol
appeal lies to the people from the
men, who, for their own profit, are
playing the game. II is astounding
that men should venture to-
take such position, and II
shows that men ana those for whom
hey speak and whom they repre-
'onted, have wandered TAR indeed
rom the ground held by Abraham
Lincoln when he declared this To be a
government dedicated to the welfare
II the common people, and to be
managed justly and honorably by
hose plain people for their own wei
are. In accordance with the immut
lble laws of Righteousness.
"Our opponents take the view that
his contest is merely a game. that the
jbject of the contest Is To win prizes I
or the contestants and that public
'ffice is the reward that goes to the
Winners of the game. and that, there /.
ore, IL Is piece of allowance smart
iess TO refuse To make changes in the
avs during the progress OF the con-
est. IL these changes would deprive "
he lead captains of the political
World of the advantage they now hold
'ver the plain people. "a
In short. the issue may be stated
5 follows: should election laws be
ramed with view to the interests y
4 politicians, or should election laws
e framed with view to carrying out y
he popular wili2' We have on the :
ne hand Mr.. Mckinley and Mr..
'ampbell and the reactiorbry ele- y. "
nent for whom they stand. an ele-
cent which has made u evident that
hey prefer To see the republican y
ariy ruined rather than TO see II ="
gain what it was In the days OF Lin
oln. and on the other hand. those 4
no believe that the republican pariv
m and should be made now what II
as made under Lincoln--a great in
irument Tor thc achievement Of
Ishtousness through the rule of the
lain people. n,
We regard the present contest not oi
a a contest between individuals--forlu nj
.c are not concerned with the well u
IRE Of any particular individual. 4,
either with mine nor with that of
ny other man-but as "a contest be- ii
Tecn these two radically different dl
Jews oi the function Of politics In a r.
f.at democracy. Ira
Therefore. we demand that states "
ks Illinois. Michigan. New York. II
Massachusetts,. be given the change ~
express their preference In presi in
entail primaries as 10 whom they CO