The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-27
Definite Statements Were Made
Within a Year.
COLONEL DENIES A REPORT
Says He Didn't Say Taft Was
Not Progressive.
Nicholas LongwOrth VIII Keep
Out of Fight.

ton Evening Star today displays prom
inently on its first page a box contain
ing the following statement:
From sources entirely independent
of the White House it is ascertained
the confidence entertained by the ad-
ministratiOn and others that Colonel
Roosevelt would NOT be a candidate
against Taft was based on definite and
repeated statements by Colonel Roose-
welt made within a year that he would
not be a candidate in 1912 and did not
intend to oppose President Taft for
denomination"
No Personal Controversy.
Boston, Feb 27.-Theodore Roosevelt,
angered by a published report that he
had said President Taft was not pro-
gressiVe, said today he would not be
drawn into a personal controversy with
the administration although he has de-
clared his intention of making a
straight out fight" for the Republican
nomination. The colonel said that in
his political conference yesterday dur
ing which he was reported to have
made the statement President Taft's
name had not been mentioned and that
his opinion in regard to the adninistra-
tion had not been asked or expressed.
Roosevelt repeated that he had not
taken his present position for personal
reasons and he made it clear that he
did not propose to make the issue in
any sense a personal one.
Stands by Columbus Speech.
Col, Roosevelt was asked to explain
the position he will maintain during
the campaign. In reply he issued the
following.
Il could not more definitely state
my position on the great issues of the
day than 1 stated it in my Columbus
speech and again yesterday before
the Massachusetts, legislature
In addition to calling attention to
what I there said on the subject of
popular government 1 also call atten-
ton to what [ said at Columbus on
the business situation and the proper
attitude of the government toward
business so as to insure conditions
that will make for the prosperity of
the business world and Of all our
people.
IN my Ohio speech I dealt with
emphasis on the two great subjects of
immediate moment to our people,
the need of having a real and not
merely nominal popular rule, and the
need of securing prosperity for the
the farmer alike. AS I then said, 1
most emphatically believe that it is
necessary to have an equitable divi-
sion of prosperity, but that it be-
hooves Us to keep in mind that we
cannot divide the prosperity unless
the prosperity is there to divide and
that to secure the we'll being of the
business world is emphatically in the
interest OF every Cltlzen OF the Onlbed
States
Longworth to Keep Out of 1t.
Washington, Feb. 7.-Representa-
tive Nicholas LOngworth of Ohio, |
of Theodore Roosevelt, re-
turned to Washington today after
visit with the colonel in Boston. and
that he would not take
any part in the campaign for selection
of delegates to the Chicago conven-
ton from his district in Ohio Mr..
Longworth several weeks ago an
nounced himself in favor of the re-
of President Taft.
7 shall take no part in the selec- |
ton of delegates to the Republican
national convention from my district,
said Longworth.
Had you thought of being a dele
gate ?'' he was asked.
Il had not" he replied.
Kent Joins Roosevelt Force.
Washington. Feb. Representa-
tive Kent of California, who has been
an active LaFollette laeder in his
state. telegraphed today to leaders of
the California progressive organization
agreeing to the request for permission
to place his name on the ballot as a |
Roosevelt delegate to the Chicago con-