West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-07-15
Rocking the Republican Boat

what all this Weeks talk among the
Illinois Old Guard means" Cert .ainly
the most determined OF the various
efforts 10 get the Republican nomina-
tion for the presidency is that being
made by the Massachusetts Senator's
powerful hackers. IL things should go
along for year as they are today.
with Weeks organization resourceful
and determined. and the other candi-
dates merely receptive. then Senator
Weeks clearly would be the most pow
eriul figure in the convention year
from now. This information may come
as surprise To Republicans in the
west and middle west. They think
OF the situation as a free-for-all-a
not-very-exciting race among Borah.
Cummins, Burton, Herrick. Mann and
one or two others. But the Weeks
candidacy is not on any such easy
going basis. 1t is organized on the
basis of the old wire-pulling regime,
with able and resourceful men back
of IL. Now these able men who are
giving their energy and resources to
Mr.. Weeks boom would not be doing
II, of course, unless they thought that
he could be elected. They are going
on the assumption that any Republi-
can can be elected next year. This
mistaken point of view is part of the
narrowness of their own outlook ON
"a faf nj h.
their confidence I'm their own power.
Thoughtful persons, including the
majority of the Republicans through
out the west and middle west, know IL
is not true that anybody can be elect
ed on the Republican ticket next year.
1t will take very strong candidate
to win, and OF all the candidates for
the Republican nomination who are
publicly discussed just now, Senator
Weeks is the one most open to the sort
of attack that would be sure to defeat
him 1t is only fair to say that Mr.
Weeks record as a Congressman and
Senator has not been unworthy. But
Senator Weeks is stock broker.
This, of course, does not disqualify
him for the presidency; but every per
son familiar with the practical con
siderations of campaign will realize
that, even as matter Of public psy-
chology. the presence OF stock brok-
er as a candidate would be a novelty
such as would require good deal of
time to live down.
But Senator Weeks case is more
serious than this. Among stock brok-
ers he would not be called one OF the
first order. If all the stockholders in
New York and Boston were to choose
representative man of their num-
ber, man standing highest among
themselves, TO put forward as their
| candidate for the highest Office i'm the
land, Senator Weeks would not be
their first choice nor their second nor
their third. This is not the time nor
the place TO develop Senator Weeks
handicap at greater length That il
would be developed with joyous ac-
claim in a Presidential race between
John W. Weeks and Woodrow Wilson
is about as sure as anything predict
able in politics Fancy the Democratic
newspapers Of the United States re-
producing the circulars i'm which MIR.
Weeks firm two or three years ago of
fered Sealshipt Oyster preferred to the
public! If for no better reason than
the gayety of nations, we want to see
better sport next year than the race
between Woodrow Wilson and John
W. Weeks would Golfers Week
| ly