The Washington herald., 1916-06-11
MOOSE. MOVEMENT
FACES OBLIVION
Roosevelt Declining Of Nomi-
nation Sounds Death Knell
for Party.
BY HUGH 9. MILLER.
lInfagna fdAAal Na~s R~A>

tAutSIu1uo01l NcW8 SeTylCe.D
Chicago. June lo.-Theodore Roosevelt
today notified the Progressive national
convention that he could not accept its
nomination for President.
His statement. which was not unex-
pected by those in his confidence, struck
dismay to the hearts OF the leaders of the
cause and to the rank and file of the del
egates to the convention who had count
ed on him as their candidate In the COM
ing. campaign.
Col Roosevelt's inttmation that every
thing depended upon the position Justice
Hughes should take. coupled with the
later publication Of comprehensive
statement. given out by the latter In
Washington, was everywhere accepted as
definite assurance that he will desert the
Progressives and support the Republican
candidate.
Everywhere. also, there was a senti-
ment that the decision announced by Col.
Roosevelt dooms the Progressive party,
which polled a tremendous vote four
years ago. to oblivion.
The receipt Of Col. Roosevelt's state
rnent made the last few hours of the
Progressive convention an incident more
dramatic, perhaps, than anything that
has ever happened IN the political history
OF this country.
Take RooseveIts Message.
While the hundreds Of delegate. and
thousands Of guests were cheering the
name OF the man who has led them since
the creation Of the party; while they ap-
plauded to the echo the enthusiastic
words of Victor Murdock. Col. John NJ
Parker. Raymond Robins and others who
eloquently urged them TO keep the faith;
and even while they were going whole
heartedly through the program of
nOn1fp a fins Col
mate Of their candidate for the Presi-
dency-a little group OF leaders was en-
gagged in taking from Col Roosevelt's
own lips the words that were to bring
the structure, erected laboriously but
lovingly, down about their ears.
The news was kept from the convention
until the very last minute Of its session.
George W. Perkins and the other leaders
who had talked with Col Roosevelt over
the long distance telephone knew long
oefore the convention assembled the ma
ture Of the unpleasant task before them.
The convention met B minutes after
o'clock for its last session. There re-
mained for It the last task Of nominating
a vice President and disposinE of q few
routine matters.
Parker Is Nominated.
Eventually came time for nomina tons
for Vice President. The name of Col.
John NJ. Parker. Of Louisiana, long a
friend OF Col Roosevelt. was placed In
nomination.
Gov. Hiram johnson, Of California, who
led the ticket four years ago with Col
Roosevelt, was also named, but he asked
the convention to lay his name aside and
indorse Col Parker.
Then the convention named Col Parker
for Vice President without a dissenting
vote and was harry
Chairman Robins stepped forward and
said:
Il shall now read a communication
from Col. Roosevelt"
And read IL he did.
The convention listened In absolute
silence. At the end there was the briefest
possible pause and then a few cheers
That was all.
Down came the hammer on the block
Of wood on the kitchen table and Chair
man Robins spoke.
The chair announces the Progressive
national convention is adjourned sine
die