New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-29
IA TOILETTE DENOUNCES
ROOSEVELT'S CANDIDACY
Saws CoIoneI'S Nomination at
Chicago Would Have Compro-
missed Progressive Movement.
ATTACKS HIS SUPPORTERS
Senator Declares Ex-President' s
Allies in Extravagant Pri-
mary Campaign Were
Trusts and Bosses.
Lsr telegraph TO The Tribune. !


washington, June Ex-senator La Toilette
Am continue his opposition to Colonel
roosevelt The Wisconsin man makes this
rlsin in an editorial in the current num-
~ of ia Follettes Weekly" The edi-
torsl which denounces the candidacy Of
roosevelt and blames him for having d.
vided the Progressives in their first ma
tonsl contest, says:
Until Roosevelt came into the open as a
candidate for the Presidency five months
ago there was strong and rapidly grow
ing Progressive movement within the Re
nublican party. 1t was based upon clearly
Defined principles. II stood forth as the
representative Of modern political thought
~ Fundamental democracy II had as
suned national proportions. II was united.
into ibis movement, when II gave promise
of national success, Roosevelt projected his
ambition TO be President third time. lie
,peDt weeks carefully planning a "spon-
taneous call" for himself He responded
by announcing. that he would be re
ceptive' candidate. His candidacy began
10 drag. He and his friends were IN de-
SPAR Then came his defeat in North Da-
kots. He became desperate.
La Toilette calls Rooscy,lt's primary
campaign the most cNtrayagaut in tho his
tory Of American politics and accuses the
colonel Of having accepted the aid of men
identified with trusts and Of the bosses,
saying.
An enormous campaign fund was raised.
Headquarters were opened in New York,
washington, Chicago and states East and
West Newspaper writer's were engaged at
large prices TO boom his candidacy. Special
trains were hired and the receptive can
ddats' started in frantic pursuit Of the
nomination.
In the history Of American politics there
has never been in primary campaign Tor
Presidential nomination an approach TO the
eXtrsvagant expenditures made in his cam
paign. Men VIGOROUSLY Identified with the
Steel Trust and the Harvester Trust be-
came his most active supporters, Leading
dictionaries, stand-patters and political
bosses of the Hanna and Quay sort be-
came his closest political friends and repre-
sentatives in many states.
A number Of the newer recruits of the
Republican Progressive cause, men who,
before 1909 with three or four exceptions,
had either been Indifferent or opposed TO
the Progressive movement, became the
noisest supporters Of Roosevelt, the win
De~" II niattered not TO them that RoOse-
welt had cO-operated with Aldrich on leg
islation during the cnure seven years ne
was President
They forgot that II was only when RooSc-
Welt was out Of office and in Africa, through
the united efforts Of men who Tor years
had been lighting special interests, that the
Progressive cause became d national move
mert: that Roosevelt was for Tart in l9IV'
when TAFT was denOunCinG all ProGreSsiNeS
- pirates and traitors, that ne waited
until little more than year ago. balancing
the chances before deciding whether 10
cast in his lot with the Prosressives III TINS
Presidential year, counted for nothing win
the class Of Progressives who wanted 70
"Vin"-not real Progressive Nictory-Just
a victory.
The editorial asserts that the nomination
Of Roosevelt would have compromised the
Progressive movement and defeated real
achievement for years" 1t continues:
And they did win precisely that kind Of
victory They carried Overwhelmlnsly
the great stand-pat states OF Illinois anu
Pennsylvania That stamped the RooseVelt
csudidacy with its true character. NO real
Progressive could have secured anything
like such a vote in either Of those TWO
states. , ......,i..,
IF success the sort Of success that lntoNl-
cstes-that catches the crowd. II enaDleu
Roosevelt to win in two OF three iSaH!
Progressive states. Fortunately, IL ulu ~
enable him 70 secure the nomination, Whlch
u.ould have compromised the Progressive
movement and defeated real acmeFeheHI
I-roT Theodore Roosevelt and his follow
err vests the responsibility Of having III
,Ided the ITOgreSSlNcS II thelr uIsI no
tional contest. Stimulated by an oNei ii it'
tar5Tg desire 10 win. they denounced 10y
sitv 10 conviction and principle as STUBBORN
selNshness In the convention lheE ri ~ ",
forward no platform.L,-n1o ls stinr,r, MAI.
20, a5oDfed They substituted vulgar
rersonsIities aad the coarse epithets OF the ne
nTizA rins for the serious consideration OIL
rreat economic problems and tor tne , I,n,o
teing brought rldlcuIe anu NO''o'P
a great cause. .,. aooe NOT
Gut the Progressive movement docs hI 2t
,onsist Of few nTtizans
GysIe,n together by common bellet IN Ger
an principles. They will permit no ,{ GGmii
bnaon OF special interests a of the Pro-
slpssiI,n ca,se. which is ultimately to re-
deem democracy and restore government 10
the people.