The Washington times., 1915-04-11
Nebraska Senator Discusses
G. 0. P. Candidates in Field
For the Presidency.
THINKS BORAH IS BEST MAN
Attacks Wilson, Calling Him
Most Partisan Executive
: Seen in White House.

Apropos Of the insistent talk among
the Old Guard Republicans of the NOM
ination Of Senator Root or one of their
number for the Presidency in 1915.
Senator Norris Of Nebraska. one of the
foremost Progressive Republicans in
the country, has given out an inter
view.
He declares the Republican party
must be progressive to win and lis
not entitled to win unless progressive"
He does not believe Roosevelt Will be
a candidate and thinks there Is not the
slightest probability of Taft being re-
nominated. He declares that If the
Republicans ride roughshod over every
body as in 1912, and name one of their
own number on a rcactionary platform.
he vii! be defeated.
He calls President Wilson 'the most
partisan President who has ever oc-
cupied the White House. using the
"antiouated Congress" control and
striving more for party success than
for the good of the country
Sometimes With Wilson
lnasmuch as Senator Norris has sup
ported Democratic measures when he
deemed them progressive. this asser-
ton is certain to attract notice.
Only blundering reaction by the Re
pub,icahs, he predicts, will lead to Re-
publican defeat.
h,y
ator Norris whom he commends. In
order, they are Senators Borah and
Cummins. Governor Whitman and Sen
ators Burton and Weeks.
He commends Borah and Cummins es-
pecially. OF Whitman, he says. he Is
not so well acquainted with him as with
the others. but what he does know is
favorable.
The fact that Senator Norris sees
good in Burton and Weeks is of no lit
ranked with the Old Guard. Senator
Norris commends Burton for his inde-
pendence. honesty. and CONSCIENTIOUS
ness. and he declares that Weeks;
though called by some "reac1onary'
Is a man of great ability. is conscien-
tious and has the courage of his convic-
tions" that he has broadened since
he entered Congress. and that the party
nominate him.
Praises BOran.
After discussing issues, Senator Nor
ris said of candidates:
ct think Rorah is one of the most able
men in public life today. He is aoso-
lutely fearless and nscientious If he
should head the ticket there would be
no doubt of success. Neither would
there be any doubt that he would give
the American people an admlnistration
in which every citizen could feel
just pride.
The same thing could be said of Sena-
tor Cummins of Iowa. I am not quite
so we'll acquainted with Governor
Whitman. but what l do kno" about
him is faVora hie.
Il regard Senator Burton as one of
the great men of the day. He has been
a student of public questions all his
life and has an inexhaustible and re-
markable fund of information. He Is
honest and conscientious and would
make an excellent President He has
been just a dole partisan and has. in
my Judgment. made some mistakes In
that respect that would injure his p/pu-
larity in certain sections or the couh
try.
when Burton was in the House he
showed wonderful independence of
action, and he has not hesitated In the
Senate TO take positions contrary to
that assumed by the leaders OF his
party.
Criticism Unjust.
Senator Weeks. in part of the coun-
try at least. is regarded as reaction
ary | believe this criticism ofttimes has
been unjust. He often has shown great
independence of action. He voted, for
instance, for the currency bill against
most of his party associates. While he
opposed the Presidents ship purchase
bill he introduced and secured the pas
sage by the Senate OF bill providing
for the operation by the Government of
ships now in the navy In general COM
merce between our ports and those of
South America.
Senator Weeks has lived all his life
in an atmosphere where property il
terests are the subject of soliCitude and
7 think when he came to
Congress first his view was limited and
Clouded on account of these assOCia-
tions but he Is man of great ability,
is conscientious and has the courage of
his convictions, and since he has been
in Congress and has come in contact
with broad national issues he has
hroadened his view and has shown a
Capability Of meeting broad national
questions and deciding them on their
merits The party could go farther and
do worse than to nominate him.
81 do not think there is any prohality
OF former President Taft being candi-
da te."