The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-04-13
I THEODORE ROOSEVELT
A FACTOR FOR 1915
Republicans Glad to Have the Colonel
Back in the Fold, But Hardly On
His Own Terms.


Times.
While tie foremost leaders in the
Republican party have discussed the
prospects for party succession in 1916,
they have not taken up tie matter IF
the selection of a presidential candi-
date in any formal way, and their
views as 10 what it is best to do to
win victory at the polls nave no.
crystallized into any definite plan. 1t
has been made clear t2at they intend
to go slow in formulating a presiden-
tial program and that the disposition
is to cj oose the presidential candidate
with regard to his ability to win and
wiJ2out particular regard 20 the am
bitions Of any prominent Republican
who may be listening to the buzzing
CT tie presidential bee.
In the discussions of Republican
prospects that have taken place here
and elsewhere, Col. Roosevelt mas been
considered an important factor, bit
the disposition has been to discouf-
age any suggestion that to aim shod..i
ne be given predominant place in I: e
party councils unless i-e should take
the initiative in seeking to return to
the Republican fold At the same time
it is the understanding here that there
has been a conference between Col.
Roosevelt and at least one of the prom
inent Republican leaders, one who is
not in sympathy with tie ideas Of the
colonel and who would not be inclined
to go to him unless there were an eX-
cellent prospect of party harmony with
Col. Roosevelt as one Of the harmon
izers. 1t seems to be taken for granted
by some well-informed Republicans
that Col. Roosevelt will be found il
the Republican ranks next year, and
noting has developed to indicate that
he is seeking the presidential nomina-
ton.
One bit of gossip is that Col. Roose-
velt has said that he would be in
clined to support any progressive Re-
publican for president. Republicans
believe that re certainly would support
Senator Borah, Of Idaho, of ex-Sen-
ator Burton, of Ohio, and it is reported
that i-e would stand behind the presi-
Dental candidacy of Senator Weeks,
of Massachusetts. Whether he woIl1
be satisfied with the nomination Of
ex-senator Root, of New York, is moi
known, but that is not matter whica
worries some OF the most prominent
Republicans, who feel tat Mr.. Root
is the best man that could be put for
ward by tne party, and that Col. Roose-
velt's views should not be taken into
consideration in tnis connection.
The Root boom for the Republican
presidential nomination became a mat
ter of discussion soon after the ad-
journment of congress last month. Be-
fore Il at he had been spoken of i'll
this connection by Republican politi-
clans seeking to bring about party
harmony and to nominate for Presi-
dent man who would have the best
chance to win In their informal con-
ferences there seemed to be a gen
eral agreement that Mr. Root would
make an ideal president, and the wish
was equally general that matters
should so shape themselves that he
would be sure to be elected if tie
nomination should go to him. But
the fact that Mr.. Root would be Y be-
fore be could enter the white house
and that he might not be available
fer a second term, came in for much
discussion.
TIE consideration of Mr.. Roots
prospects did not progress to the point
of decision on the part Of his friends
and admirers to put MIN forward for
the nomination. From all that has
been said here by associates Of Mr
Root the idea has been gained that he
is unwilling Il at he should be cor
sidered as either an active or re-
ceptive candidate for the Republican
presidential nomination. He 2as dis
couraged any movement in his behalf
and has indicated a desire to retire
from public life. But in spite of this
there are many prominent Republicans
VITO have not given up the hope tA&,
he will be considered by the Republi-
can convention of 1916, and t>ey feel
that no other man in the party woG!d
have so good chance Of being chosen
as the party standard-bearer.
Wnether Col Roosevelt would sup
port the presidential candidacy OF Nr.
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