The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-27
Roosevelt Writes Caustic Let
ter Criticising Wilson and
Declining Nomination
URGES THIRD PARTY
Is NO LONGER NEEDED
Declares People VIII Not Sup
port Amy But Old Party.
Parker Refuses to Get Out
of Running

Chicago. june 2e.-By a vote
OF 81 TO q, the Progressive Nation
al Committee, In session here to-
nLgnt, endorsed the candidacy OF
Charles Evans Hughes for Presi-
dent. Nine members of the COM
mittee refused TO vote.
No action was taken regarding
the ce-presideitial nomination
The candidacy OF airbanks was
The candidacy of Fairbanks was
when the committee adjourned,
the Pro9rensiyes stall have a
regularly nominated candidate
for Weep r e 8 d G IA t-->Jofn VI.
Parker, of Louisiana.
Parker has stated that he viii
not withdraw.
After a day of wrangiing, the
Progressive National Committee
tonight voted to endorse Charles
Evans Hughes for president.
Thirty two members of the
committee supported the endorse
unant resolution offered by James
X. Garfield, of Ohio. Six voted
against IL and nine declined 10
vote.
VIII support Wilson.
Several of tl,e fifteen minority
members, including Raymond
Robins, of Chicago, chairman of
the Progressive National Con
ycntion of three weeks ago, an
normced they probably would
support President Wilson.
The action of the meeting to-
night marked the demise of the
Progressive party.
The resolution as finally adopte'
was as follows:
Whereas, the statement issued b,
this committee In January and In
platform adopted by the Progressive
National Convention set forth that
putting aside all partisan considera
ton in view OF existing world and ma
ttonal conditions. We would work WIZ
any man or party who saw the ma
tons need and put forth leader n
to meet IL; and,
Whereas. we believe with Colone
Roosevelt that in nominating Charlie
f. Hughes, OF New York, the Repub
lican party has put forth such a lead
er, we endorse and concur in tn
OF Colonel Roose
welt that we support Mr.. Hughes.
The opponents Of the proposal T.
endorse Hughes put UP stubborn
fight. Leaders on this side wer
Hale. OF Massachusetts. VIII
praslaelt as vice chairman OF the com
mittee IN the absence Of Victor Muir
dock. the chairman; Bainbridge Colby
Of New York. who held the proxy 0
the committee from Florida; John III
Parker, OF Louisiana, who was nom
mated vice-President by the Progress
sives three weeks ago. ana Henr,
Cochems. " Wisconsin.
Mr.. Garfield was the floor leader 70
the Hughes forces. George w Per
ktns, or New York, and Chester Fl
Rowell, OF California. also urged TIL
end orsement OF Hughes,
Roosevelt Formally Declines.
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, in ;
attack on the administration
and policies OF President Wilson, TO
day formally declined the presidential
of the Progressive party
urging the virtual abandonment o
the third party movement and saying
hat he would strongly support thu
candidacy of Charles L. Hughes"
Colonel Roosevelt's letter follows:
Rooeevelt's Swan-Song.
To the Progressive National Com
mittee:
Gentlemen,--In accordance with thu
/ gent TO the Progressive ma
tional convention as soon as / had
received the notification that ii hat
me for President, | nov
to you my reasons fol
declining the honor which ! so deep
~ appreciate Since the adjournment
Of the convention / have received be
tween two and three Thousand let
ters and kilograms from men wht
bad supported me for the nomination.
the ma jority expressing the desire tina
would refuse 10 run. while q minor
ity urged that / should accept th'
nomination AS II Is a physical i'm
to answer these letters ane
kilograms individually, l beg OF TIL,
courtesy of the senders that they will
accept this public statement in lies
OF such answers.
Before speaking of anything els,
wish to express my heartiest ant
most unsttnted admiration for tn,
character and services OF the mer
and women who made up the Pro
greestve national convention in 1916
] can give them no higher praise thai
to say that in all respects they stco
level with the men and women VIII,
in 1919 Joined at Chicago to found tn
Progressive party. These two conven
tons. In character, In dtstnterested
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