The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-07
CAPITAL AC0C !
ON RO0SEvELT'S
ANNOUNCEMENT
Political Leaders Declare He's
in Race With Both Feet.
Factions Unite to Declare Him
Man of the Hour.
GIVES CAMPAIGN FIRST VlGOR
'.Favorite Sons" Reveal Inabil-
ity to Stir Enthusiasm.
Some Sentiment for Hughes,
bat Seems to Have Puncture.
Factions Unite to Declare Him
Man of the Hour.
GIVES CAMPAIGN FIRST VIGOR
Some Sentiment for Hughes,
bat Seems to Have Puncture.
By WILLIS j. ABBOT.


Welt proclamation. issued at Oyster
Bay of terms upon which the colonel
will accept the Republican nomlna-
ton stirred political circles here as
never before Even the defeat of Will
liam Alden Smith by Henry Ford was
forgotten for the moment.
Magnificent courage --unparallel-
ed nerve sublime egotism' and 'ad-
mirabIe frankness'' were some of the
terms applied to the coloneTs pro-
nunciamento. according to the friend
illness of the critic
I should say, however after CONVEX
sation with great number of public
men. that the effect of Mr.. Roose-
velt's utterances has been distinctly
ADVANTAGEOUS to his cause.
Inference Il Positive.
There was nothing needed to con-
vince political circles that Colonel
Roosevelt is actually and vigorously
candidate That was conceded after
the Gary dinner. and the conviction
was only deepened by the Bacon
luncheon. the coioneTs progress to-
wards nomination being apparently
marked NY milestones of hearty eating
But nothing has done more to impress
peonle here with the strength of his
candidacy than the aoparent abandon-
ment by his cd line leaders of any eff
fort to combat It
As a matter o. fact Republicans.
who are intent upon the supreme par
ty purpose of defeating Wilson are not
irritated by Mr. ROosevelt's presenta-
ton of himself as candidate for NOM
ination by the party which in 1912
he rent in twain. Rather are they
grateful to him for giving their cam
paign its first SIGN of life and vigor
While Others Fail.
The contests of the faVorite sons
had only demonstrated that no one
of them was capable of arousing any
popular sentiment of support beyond
the borders OF his own state Mr.
Weeks Mr. Burton Mr. Fairbanks
have had their agents out getting dele
gates here and there about the coun-
try But though they got some dele
gates, not one of them made ripple
on the political calm of the people.
The Hughes BOOM pushed hard by
politicians afraid of Roosevelt, awak-
ened certain tepid interest but no
enthusiasm Only with the aVOWed en-
trance upon the contest of the mag
netic and Vitriolic Roosevelt did the
nation wake up TO the fact that a pol
iticaI campaign is on Not until his
appearance did the voters think that
the Republican party might offer them
a candidate with a program worth
fighting for
Cunmins for T. r.
Even the anti-RooseveIt men in the
Republican ranks here admit that his
voice has ava kened- enthused and
may unite the party in the struggle.
A significant development of the
day was an intimation from Senator
Cummins to his progressive Republi-
can friends that at the right mo-
ment" he will surrender his delegates
to Colonel Roosevelt Senator Cum
minis let it be known, his friends say,
that he will fOrego any attempt to Sc
cure the nomination for himself if he
can aid in bringing about the nominal
ton of Progressive like Roosevelt
Less surprise than was expected
greeted a hint that Senator Penrose of
Pennsylvania in a few days probably
will come out for Colonel Roosevelt
The former president carried PennsyI-
vania in 1912 and the followers of
Governor Brumbaugh have declared
for him. A group of aggressive paci-
fists headed by Senator Norris of Ne
braska promises possible annoyance
militancy on the subject of national
preparedness.
Especially Strong in the East.
Senator Norris said:
"A great many of the pacifists will
support Colonel Roosevelt. anyhow,
because they have confidence in the
man Personally. 1 do not think the
country is in any danger. While 1
would not object to a sane increase
in the army and navy. if Colonel
Roosevelt went before the country on
a one-plan platform for the strongest
army and navy 1 could not give him
my support
Representative Mann. Republican
leader of the house: There can be
no doubt that Colonel Roosevelt has
strong support in this part of the
country He has many followers and
his announced attitude on many pub
lie questions has aroused a strong
sentiment for him. He is a strong
man, with strong convictions. and he
naturally attracts many to his stand
ard. AT the same time Justice
Hughes has gained g great deal of
strength in my section of the country
and l believe he would make a strong
candidate The same is true of for
mer Senator Burton and other can