Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-14
ROOT LEADS As THE
REPUBLICAN CHOICE
For Presidential Candidate
Weeks and Burton Next to
Root in a Letter Canvass Con-
Quoted by the New York Sun

E!ihu Root is apparently the first
choice of leading Republicans of the
country for the nomina ton for Presi-
dent in 1916, says dispatch to the
New York Sun, under. Washington
date. Senator John W. Weeks of Mas
sachusetts and ex-senator Theodore
E. Burton of Ohio have countrywide
support and next to Senator Root are
highest in favor with Republican poll
ticians.
1t is evident from a canvass conduct
ed by the Washington bureau Of the
Sun that If the Republican convention
were held today and the state Of New
York presented Mr.. Roots name to
the convention with his consent he
would be nominated With Mr.. Root
out of consideration the choice would
appear to be between Senator Weeks
and ex-senator Burton.
More than 500 letters sent out have
brought responses which lead inevi-
tably to the conclusion given above.
The information was given in each in
stance upon the assurance that the
names Of the writer's of the letters
would not be published. That. of
course, was necessary in order to OBJ
tain frank expression of opinion. The
object Of the inquiries was to elicit in
formation as TO local conditions in
the various states upon which a fair
estimate could be made Of the politi-
cal sentiment OF the country.
Questions in the 500 Letters
The following questions were pro-
pounded:
What is the present tendency among
the Republicans Of your locality as to
the choice Of a candidate next year; do
they favor an ultra-conSeryative, a
progressive or compromise?
Is President Wilson very strong with
the people or is he weak. and if weak,
what are the causes
How do the Republicans of your To-
cality feel with respect to the follow
ing candidates for the Republican
nomination who are already in the field
or who are likely to be: Burton, Borah,
Mann. Weeks. Cummings, Fairbanks,
Knox, Root, Whitman and William AL
den Smith?
Is there any pronounced sentiment
either for Roosevelt or Taft Tor the
Republican nomination?
1t is significant that the overwhelm-
ing sentiment Of those who replied to
these inquiries was that neither Taft
nor Roosevelt is likely to be nominated.
Most Of the writer's said that the Pro-
gressiVe movement is dead, that the
Republicans and former Republicans
are getting together and that they are
anxious to have President who is a
straight out Republican and one who
can be expected to restore prosperity
The tendency is Enthusiastically in favor
of conservative.
In the Progressive States Of the far
West and in some Of the middle West
ern states. like Iowa, Minnesota, Ne
ITaska and Wisconsin. most of the re-
sponses suggest that some candidate
should be nominated who will be &C
ceptable to the Progressives. A prom
inent Republican Of Indiana of nation
al reputation expressed surprise at
the large number of Republicans in
that state who followed President
Roosevelt and the Bull Moose party
in 1912 but who are now advocating
Senator Root.
In the so-called Progressive states
where there is any sentiment for a
Progressive Republican" the name of
either Senator Borah or of Senator
Cummins is suggested. Senator Cum
Minis appears TO be strong in the two
Dakotas. Nebraska. Washington and
Montana. 1t is conceded that he will
have his own state Of Iowa. with a
strong second choice sentiment for ex-
Senator Burton. who once lived in
Iowa.
Following Of Senator 6orah
Senator Borah's following is general
ly distributed throughout the country.
He appears to be the choice Of most
of the Progressives in New England.
Nearly all of the New England people
who replied to the questions pro-
pounded concede that Senator Weeks
will have practically the solid support
of Few England. but if for any rea-
son he should not be a candidate or
convention Senator Root would seem
TO be the favorite.
Progressive Republicans in Maine
and Massachusetts, while for Senator
Borah, do not seem to be strong
enough to give him any delegates, il
one may judge from the reports. There
is some sentiment for Senator Borah
in New York, and Senator Burton is
popular there, although the over
whelming sentiment in New York, as
disclosed. is that Senator Root will
~, hi