The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-05-12

welt movement, Massachusetts, was the
place to look for it. But it was only a
flare of dry leaves.
OF the result the Colonel himself
refuses to comment. That is his way.
In the very whirlwind of his passion
tor telling the public all about it, he
is always able to beget temperance
when 1t comes to events that do not
look we'll for him. But the impetuous
Progressives who hang about Oyster
Bay are not so discrcetly silent. They
have little to say, it is true, about
Massachusetts,, but they are shaking
their heads sagely and remarking that
1t looks as if there would have to be
third party in the field again this
year. The reason is that the Republi-
cans are joined to their idols. AL
though the Republican leaders know
that Theodore Roosevelt is the most
popular man in the land, and that they
ought to nominate him, the Progress
sive general staff is making up its mind
that they will not. And SO the talk
comes from the neighborhood of
Roosevelt that he will not put up with
another robbery" This is rather
absurd baked meat left over from the
funeral of four years ago, inasmuch
as at present no one pretends that
anybody is taking from Roosevelt any
delegates to whom he has shadow
OF claim. But the cry is raised as a
part of the intimidating tactics which
are all that the Progressives now have
In reserve. AS they see their chance
OF Wheedling, or stampeding, the Re-
publican convention disappearing, they
resort to threats and bullying. If you
don't take Roosevelt, he will run a
ticket OF his own and smash you again.
Perhaps they mean this seriously, but
we much doubt if the Colonel does.
1t is good enough attempt at terror
ism until after the convention but
those who fancy that Mr.. Roosevelt
has hankering to lead another for
lorn hope. to defeat had better take a
| closer look at the man. We, at least
do not so read his character.
| Taking it as settled that the Repub-
lican convention is to be securely in
the hands of Republican leaders and
delegates opposed to Roosevelt, and
who are proof against the blare of the
Progressive brass bands, political
speculation centerS on the question
whom they are most likely to agree
upon when the time comes to concen-
trate. The early balloting will appar-
emily be indecisive. Several favorite
sons-Sherman, Cummins, Fairbanks
| burton-will have to have their per.
functory compliments paid them But
the hour will arrive when it will be
necessary to come to grapples with the
question who has the best chance oil
being elected if nominated. To say
that this question is already answered
would be foolish; but it would be
equally foolish not to note the spread
ing belief that the man will be Hughes
This drift is everywhere observable
Even the Tribune's Washington des
patches report the deepening convic
ton of Republicans in Congress thai
thesn omination will go to Hughes. A:
one evidence of the general trend
Colonel George Harvey comes out il
today's issue of the North American
Review with the positive prediction
that Hughes will be the Republican
candidate. We are sometimes afraic
of Colonel Harvey when he mount:
the tripod for oracular deliverances
but in this case he is not far wrong
when he sums UP the way in which
political opinion is manifesting itself
ASK the man in the street, on
the sidewalk, in the car, on the
subway, in the Pullman, on the
jitney. in the vestibule after ser
vice, on the golf links before or
after, downtown or uptown, in or
out of clubs not dominated by
masters of finance, in Hartford,
Springfield, or Peacham, in
wealth. wallowing Pittsburg even,
or Columbus, or on the farms of
Iowa, in Oregon, or Washington,
anywhere and everywhere, up hill
and down dale. in this broad land,
ask yourself, your wife, your
plethoric uncle, your spinster
aunt-and what do you find?
Some who distrust the support
ers of Root many who are angry
at Roosevelt; not a few, inclusive
of Democrats, who are sick of
| Wilson; none whose countenance
fails to brighten at the mention of
| Hughes.
| Likelihoods are safer to go upol
than sweeping predictions: Prophec.
in politics has been rightly called
gratuitous blunder. 1t is not case o
asserting today what surely will be
but only what probably will be. TIL
certain thing is that the Republican
have passed the turning point, so ia
as the Roosevelt attack is concerned
And the signs point Significantly t
the conclusion that they will find thei
best man to rally behind in the perso
of Charles f. Hughes.