The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-08-19
COLONEL COMING BACK
TO REPUBLICAN FOLD
RECENT STATEMENT INDICATES
THAT HE is BEGINNING
TO HEDGE.


/ Colonel Roosevelt, as usual, has the
politicians guessing, on his return to
oyster Bay after his trip to the Paci-
fic coast he declared his purpose 10
enroll as progressive He spoke
most kindly, however, of New York
progressiyes, who intend to enroll as
republicans and said it had been fine
of them to have made the great fight
they have made during the last three
years for progressive principles"
The colonel issued his statement on
" a day or two after Victor Murdoch
of Kansas, chairman of the progress
i've national committee, had put out a
statement to the effect that the third
party will be in the field in 1916 will
name ticket of its own and will sell
ect this ticket and write it's platform
before either the republicans or the
democrats hold their national conven-
tons Mr.. Murdoch said it was the
purpose of the progressive party next
year to fight both old parties.
Murdoch More Enthusiastic.
Scrutiny of the carefully prepared
statement of Colonel Roosevelt shows
that it does not go as far, not nearly
so far, as did Mr. Murdock now a de-
funct congressman. The colonel had
nothing to say derogatory of the re-
publican party he did not assert a
purpose to fight the republican nomi-
nee in 1916; in fact he left the way
open by which he can, though "en-
rolling as a progressive" support the
republican ticket next year If the
ticket is to his liking
There is a vast difference between
Colonel Roosevelt and Victor Muir
dock The colonel is confessedly a
practical man." and practical poll
tieian. Mr.. Murdoch is a red headed
enthusiast of the one-idea type He
was defeated for congress because the
republicans of his district would not
support him and yet had he himself
gone back to the republican party and
not undertaken to keep open the
been elected last year to succeed him
in congress- Two years before, when
bull moosery was at its height, Mr.
Murdoch managed to pull through
The lesson of his own case appears not
to have impressed him.
What Will the Colonel Do?
Making predictions as to what Col
onel Roosevelt intends to do in poll
tics is uncertain business, but there
are certain facts that stand out to be
considered The colonel, as is well
known, is thoroughly Disguised with
the democratic administration of gov
eminent affairs. He believes and
says that a continuation of demo-
cratic control will be injurious to the
country, both at home and interna-
tionally. The colonel believes the
democratic tariff is largely responsible
for the present condition of business
in the United States and he knows
that the Underwood tariff will stand
as long as the democrats remain in
control. And the colonel is as anx-
ious as any man to see return of
prosperity.
Feeling as he does, Colonel Roose-
welt will be slow to declare his inten-
tons with regard to the campaign of
1916. He knows, as everyone else
knows, that the democrats can not be
turned out if the opposition is divided.
He knows, as everyone else knows.
that the progressive party today is
sorry weakling, compared to what it
was in 1912. He, therefore, will pom
der long over the prospects of reviv-
ing that party and, on the other hand
of the prospects of swinging the pro-
party or so much of it as re
mains, back to the republican party if
the republicans nominate candidate
in sympathy with reasonably pro-
gressive ideas.
Has Large Following.
Colonel Roosevelt, moreover is
aware that thousands of voters in the
country will follow his lead next year,
no matter how he votes or what can
didate he supports. Therefore,
great responsibility will rest upon his
shoulders.
Judging by remarks Colonel Roose-
welt has made in conference with re-
publicans-the type of republicans
with whom he is comforting these
days-his first desire next year is o
see the democratic ticket defeated
and a ticket elected which will insure
a return to the protective tariff sys-
tenn. He is as bitterly opposed as