Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1916-06-30

SSFFSt WY ~ y -s EtdAtIg9 was
read.
Chicago, June 27.-Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt has definitely refused the
nomination of the progressives for
president, and in a letter to the bull
moose national committee urged their
support of Charles Evans Hughes, the
republican nominee.
In his letter, a lengthy denunciation
Of the democratic administration read
by Oscar King Davis, secretary of the
committee, Colonel Roosevelt declared
he would actively support Hughes and
gave detailed reasons, based largely
on the necessity for patriotic Ameri-
canism.
Committee Divided.
The progressive committee was
sharply divided when it met. One fac
ton, led by Captain John M. Parker of
Louisiana, the progressive vice presi-
Dental nominee, advocated continu-
ance of the party organization regard
less of the colonel's stand. Another,
led by George w. Perkins, sought to
win the committee to R~oosevelt's
views.
Colonel Roosevelt's letter in part
follows:
ITO the Progressive National Com
mittee:
"Gentlemen: In accordance with
the message l sent to the progressive
national convention as soon as l had
received the notification that 1t had
nominated me for president, / now
communicate to you my reasons for
declining the honor which l so deeply
appreciate. Since the adjournment of
the convention, / have received be-
tween 1000 and 5000 letters and tele-
grams from me who had supported
me for the nomination, the majority
expressing the desire that l would re-
fuse to run, while a minority urged
that ! should accept the nomination.
Praise for Progressives.
Before speaking of anything else, I
wish to express my heartiest and most
unstinted admiration for the character
and services of the men and women
who made up the progressive national
convention in 1916. l can give them
no higher praise than to say that in all
respects they stood level with the men
and woman who in 1912 Joined at Chi
cage to found the progressive party.
"The result Of the terrible world
war of the past two years have now
made it evident to all who are willing
to see, that in this country there must
be spiritual and industrial prepared
ness, along the lines of efficiency, of
loyal service to the nation, and Of prac-
teal application of the precept that
each man must be his brothers keep
er.
Asks Support of Hughes.
"Mr. Hughes has shown in his career
the instinct of efficiency which will
guarantee that, under him, the govern
ment will once more work with vigor
and force. He possesses hat habit of
straightforward thinking which means
that his words will be correlated with
his needs and translated into facts.
His past career is the warrant for our
belief that he will be the unfaltering
opponent of that system of invisible
government which finds { ression In
the domination of the party boss and
the party machine. His past career is
a guarantee that whatever he says be-
fore election will be made good by his
acts after election. Morally, his pub
lie record shows him to be a man of
%unbending integrity; intellectually, it
shows him to be a man of original and
trained ability. We have the alterna-
tive of continuing in office an admins
tration which has proved a lamentable
failure, or of putting into Office an ad-
ministration which we have every rea-
10 to believe will function with eff
cheney for the interest and honor of all
u people. l earnestly bespeak from
my fellow progressives their ungrudg-
ing support of Mr.. Hughes.
Theodore Roosevelt.
Sycamore Hill, June %, 1916"