The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-05-21
COL. ROOSEVELT
FOLLOWE RS WILL
BALK ON HUGHES
THOSE DELEGATES TO ATTEND
CONVENTION ARE oUTsPoKEN
IN THEIR OPPOSITION TO HIM.
N Gilson Gardner.

another visit to oyster BAY ana the
Progressive headquarters in New
York and a talk with Colonel Roose-
welt and George W. Perkins, am
convinced that the Progressive party
convention will balk at the nomina-
ton of Charles e. Hughes. This in
tent emanates less from Col. Roose-
welt than from the delegates to the
convention. Hundreds of letters have
come to Perkins from Progressives
who are expecting to be delegates and
the tenor of them is the same. They
say they have read limitations that
the Progressives would accept Hughes
in place of Roosevelt. They want to
know by what authority anybody
makes any such statement. They ask
in addition what is Justice Hughes
position on the progressive platform
issues as outlined January II, in Chi
cago and what Justice Hughes thinks
of Americanism and preparedness.
Even Col Roosevelt, I find, anxious
as he is for party harmony, feels
that Justice Hughes ought to make
known his position at once If he hopes
for any endorsement from progress
ives The justice may be an ardent
advocate of preparedness; then again,
he may not. Nobody has assumed
to speak for him nor has anybody
assumed to profess to know his mind
on current issues. Not even a hint
has come from Justice Hughes to his
most intimate friends as to what
he thinks about the Wilson admins
tration, the handling of foreign re-
lations or now large an army or navy
the United States ought to provide.
The Hughes advocates go on the as
sumption that after Hughes is nomi-
mated he will subscribe to a plat
form declaring for these things. This
does not satisfy the Progressives. A
"me-too" declaration after nomination
would not fill the bill. If the declara-
ton is to be made beforehand-and
no convention could be asked to buy a
pig in a poke and nominate candi-
date whose views are utterly I'M
known-now is the time for Justice
Hughes to make known his views.
If the justice will make his posi-
ton public ut this tin1e-or have his
views made public for him in any
way which VIII be authoritative-the
will be considered by the Progressive
leaders, including Col. Roosevelt, with
a view TO securing harmonious &C
ton and entirely above any possibility
Roosevelt is anxious, find, above all
things to nave harmony and to heal
the breach between the parties. This
is not an easy task. He puts this
result above any personal considera-
ton and entirely aobve any possibility
of his own nomination. He would
consider The nomination only as it
might result in healing the breach
and presenting q united opposition to
the Democratic party. Anything short
of this he will not do. He is extreme
ly averse TO doing anything which will
perpetuate tactional discord, feeling
that the present time is one of SUI
preme emergency when lesser issues
ought to De forgotten and everybody
with any feeling of patriotism should
make any personal sacrifice needed
ted action looking to putting the Uni
ted States in it's proper place among
the nations Of the world.
I found Mr.. Perkins much distress
ed over the impression created by the
statement OF the progressive commit
tee issued few days ago.
That statement said Mr.. Perkins,
received a wrong twist. Certain peo-
pie evidently tried to make it mean
what it never said. There was moth
ing in the statement juStifying any in
ference that we are willing on present
| showing TO abandon Roosevelt and
endorse Hughes as a progressive can
didate. The committee would have no
right to make any such promise even
| if they had the power, or even if they
had any information as to what Mr..
| Hughes stands for, which they have
not. so far as the committee is con-
cerned we take the position we have
always taken that the candidate must
represent the issues of preparedness
and must be in real sympathy with
the progressive platform declarations
outlined in the January IL statement
We would pe very glad to know what
Justice Hughes thinks on these sub
| iectS, but Unless we know soon we
| cannot be expected to give much con-
sideration to his candidacy. We are
willing to be fair and are anxious fol
harmony. We will consider any prop
/ osition or any candidates the republi-
cans have to offer, but there mus
be something specific. We can't be
| expected to leap in the dark"
The fact is, the progressive leader:
are standing pat. They doubt If any.
| body can be suggested who is as avail
able as Roosevelt for a joint candi.
date, but if anyone can be suggested
who fits the issues and promises II
get as many votes, they are willing
| to accept MIN. Hughes, in their opin.
ion, has not yet qualified in tha'
i class