Evening star., 1916-01-14
K|ND[|ER FEELING
FOR COL. ROOSEVELT
New York Republicans, How
ever, Not Stampeded by
Progressive Overture.
spee.a, Correspondence o, The star.

SPECIAL Correspondence OF The Star
NEW YORK. January l3.-New York
is bubbling with presidential politics
The seething stage. however, viii not
be reached for a few weeks yet.
The sensation of the week. of course.
has been the bull moose meeting at
Chicago. Mingling for couple of days
with business men as well as politi-
clans has enabled me TO take some OBJ
servations of the situation it has de-
veloped
II IS clear that the Chicago demon
atra ton has not stampeded the New
York republicans wha, stood by the
party three years ago. They have re-
ceived the shock. absorbed it like
cushion and continue calmly determin-
ed that the colonel shall not be the
republican candidate. Yet there is a
much kindiier feeling toward him than
form erly.
This may be due to the universal de-
sire for harmony and the belief that
Col Roosevelt is sincere in his deter
mination to oust the democratic ma
tional administration by sacrificing his
private grudges. or it may be one Of
those psychological episodes in politics
which no one can explain. But fair
minded observer is bound to take note
That Col Roosevelt as an influence is
much stronger with the republicans
than he was last fall.
This beng SO. it would seem that he
might set their support. II not for the
nomination. at least for the election.
The test OF Individual opinions, which
is always safer than generalizing. gives
little encouragement to this notion. /
tried it out during chance talks with
several persons who vote.
Views Of Business Men.
A republican business man who voted
for Wilson in 1912 out Of resentment
toward Roosevelt told me there had
been a great change of sentiment. and
frankly declared the change in his
own feelings. He liked Roosevelt's
Americanism and while not commit
receptive state of mind would be rec
ognized by politicians as the forerun
ner of vote for Roosevelt.
Another republican business man said
some kind things and casually remark
against -. Roosevelt and he hoped
would spare him that pain.
A banker who was close to Taft COM
mented on the conciliatory attitude of
Roosevelt as powerful influence in re-
uniting the factions of the party and
deprecated harsh criticism of the
colonel He said he would cast an anti
Roosevelt vote. with great regret. if
such q necessity arose. but he did not
think 1t would arise.
The republican editor of an indepen-
dent newspaper said that Roosevelt. If
nominated, would lose his vote.
A national politician who knows what
it is to take a politicians medicine said
Roosevelt,s nomination would mean the
loss of his vote
A second series of interviews de-
veloped about the same unaminity
They showed why the republican lead
ers and ex-bosses have not lost their
equanimity over the Roosevelt demon
strstion at Chicago. These republican
politicians do not fear a stampede or
that the convention will be bludgeoned
into nominating the colonel. In his
quest for candidate with whom to
beat Wilson Col. Roosevelt. by a
process of elimination, may reach the
hasty conclusion that he himself is the
only man, but the knowledge, easily to
be had that he cannot get republican
votes at the polls may cause him to
begin another search or to acquiesce
(Continued- ons Ninth Page)