New-York tribune., 1916-02-19

S.notor Root would be elected II nom
mated They pointed out that Mr.
Roots keynote speech at the coa-
yention expressed many ideas which
both he and Colonel Roosevelt enter
tanned on national issues in the coming
campaign. Hence the Colonel could
como out and support the ex-senator
with llttle or no embarrassment. The
Colonel could then look forward to
1920
On the other hand, this old guard
feeler was looked upon with some
suspicion BY the more progressive con-
tingent of the Republicans. Some be-
lieved 1t was put out 10 ALLEVIATE wa
voring Republicans from deciding to
support Colonel Roosevelt for the nom
nation. They pointed out that there
were a good many Republicans who
would rather not see Roosevelt get tho
nomination. but might be led 10 sup
port him II the situation later con-
vinced them that he was the most
available man to handle the big issues
before the country. In the face Of
donials from the men TO whom Colonel
Roosevelt was said to have written
promising his support these wavering
Republicans would be inclined TO find
good excuse to make up their minds
quickly against the Colonel.
Mr.. Barnes did no. deny yesterday
that he was for ex-senator Root heart
and soul. or that his hand might have
been seen in the conference following
the state convention, at which three Of
,he delegates-at-large expressed a
"preference" for Mr.. Root. He WAS
quick to deny, however. tho report that
he intended to make trip through the
West TO discourage Roosevelt senti-
ment and round up Root delegates. He
issued this statement:
Moose Ready to Fight.
az dislike to deny so preposterous
a story. because cannot believe any
sane man would believe it. That the
Republicans should present united
front in the coming campaign is un-
questioned. Because Of the acrimony
caused by the convention Of 1912, de-
cined to be considered as a delegate
at-large from this state, or from my
district, in the interest of unity.
81 do not believe, as | said in my
letter TO Mr.. Tanner in declining to
be delegate that, if this nation en-
ters upon a programme of complete de-
fence, we should place In the Chief
/ Magistracy a man who. by tempera-
ment, would itch to use the power. At
this time, above all others, what Is
tive courage"
Despite assertions that Colonel
Roosevelt might be kindly disposed
toward Mr.. Root, George ". Perkins
yesterday said the attitude Of the Re
publican State Convention had been
"very disappointing" lie strongly in
timated that the Progressives would
go to their Chicago convention ready
10 fight the Root candidacy.
I'VE progressives meant what we
said in our Chicago statement" said
Mr.. Perkins, "and if the big, broa /,
patriotic thing is not done at Chicago
: the blame will not rest on our shout
ders; it will rest on the shoulders Of
the same men who caused disruption n
1922
Mr. Perkins denied he had said, 81
am not a Republican, thank Cod"
Perkins Against Foes of 1912.
"As TO being a Republican" he said,
81 have always regarded and still re-
gard myself as the truest kind Of a
Republican. The Republicanism | be-
lieve in is the Abraham Lincoln
Thomas b. Reed-James G.. Blaine-Will-
lam McKinley-Theodore Roosevelt
brand. | am a Progressive, because
certain men in the Republican party
drifted far away from the ideals of
the party and refused 20 keep it
abreast of the times. | firmly believe
hundreds OF thousands of Republicans
in the rank and file of the party stand
for the very same things that hundreds
of thousands of Progressives stand for,
and that these things are vitally nee
essary for the welfare of this country.
| believe their achievement has been
impossible thus far because a few men
in control of the Republican party ma
chinery are more interested in their
own political fortunes than in the well
fare of the nation"
The Progressive leader let it be un-
derstood that he would not support
the nomination of any Republican who
took part in the elimination of Colo
mel Roosevelt in 1912. That would
eliminate Root, Burton and several
other possible Republican nominees.
Many Republican friends of Mr. Root
feel the Barnes tag will hinder any
serious movement to nominate him.
II was learned yesterday from a mem
Der of the committee on resolutions at
the Carnegie Hall convention that the
resolution 10 indorse ex-senator Root
was not withdrawn at his request. but
! only after il was realized that il could
not be carried in the committee before
"a final vote was taken.