Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-02


The democratic New York World which is President
Wilson's Fdus Acaes in the newspaper field has apparent
y set out with the intention of making former United States
Senator Ehu Root the Presidents rival in the presidential
election next November 1t finds that the whole republican
national committee is looking to Root 1t is great thing
for gladiator to be in position to choose his opponent
He not select the weakest rival but he certainly
will not pick the strongest.
Ehu Root many respects the greatest statesman in
America to-day He is dolzed by the older generation OF
republicans in New York His preeminent abilities are re-
spected by all His equal to his ability as well as
his convictions Similar things could be said of Henry
Clay and Daniel Webster and James G. Blaine and Thomas
B. Reed The American people, however, never made any
one of these other great mon who might be named res
dent of the United States.
Woodrow Wilson knows where he is weak and he also
knows that Ehu Root is weak along various political lines
identical with his weaknesses Wilson will be assailed
in the coming campaign for rpudiang campaign pledge
and surrendering Great Britain the right of American
coaswse shipping the Panama canal which in
chant marine
Elhu Root is one OF the republican United States sena
who epudaed republican pledges and helped Woodrow
Wilson repeal republican for the development OF
American shipping through the Of the Panama canal by
coaswse trade thus playing into the hands of Great Britain
Woodrow Wilson, whose chief claim upon Amer can peo-
pie that he has kept the United States out of r
the most trying time in our international history has re-
Gently led to foreign in dealing with the question
of submarine warfare and armed merchant ships.
Ehu Root in his keynote speech in New York pointed
out of action for this nation in connection with Bel
GUM, which, if adopted would undoubtedly have meant
break between Germany and the United States account
of alleged breach of contract regarding European neu
tIalty-a step which WaShngtonS injunction to avoid for
egn ENHANCEMENT would have ruled out impossible
Woodrow Wilson has antagonzed considerable por-
U S w S Root Y Me y S ss
republicans by his course in 1912. and by his alleged
noW the German voe by his MS bou Bel
gansm Wilson would hope to gain in the West where Root
is weak Other factors enter into the situation
One weakness of the Hughes movement in New York is
the suspicion generated that Governor Whitman is using the
weakness of the Root movement is the fear that Barnes
using Roots prestige to gain delegates to be delivered in
nize the more progressive element in party that can be
reunited Maine the Latest example In spite OF all dt the
gates from New York in Chicago.
Efforts have been made to draw out Hughes as regards
socate Justice persists in refusing to discuss political
The remarkable thing about the Hughes sentiment is that
parts of the country despite persistent efforts of politicians
to block it. and the refusal Of Hughes himself to
anything Just like it before?
Another to prevent the republican national
vention from selecting republican candidate of
sve type is the to keep the voters from expressing
preference for particular candidate reseng this func
ton for the delegates when they get together in Chicago
Even the Springfield Republican, which is sidesteppng
the direction of conservative candidate for the republicans
while shouting for Wilson opportunity uters this
warning regarding the amending of the primary law:
The regular republicans will have committed serious Gus
becomes law in its present form 1t now carries the prov
sion thas no candidates for d to the ndao &c
sdentia candidate unless that candidate gives specific
thority the use of name Cow Mccall has described
this provision 'pinprickng performance If the bill
comes up to him. as it apparently WILL with this clause still
incorporated in it, he will be wise sending it back with his
veto.
The complaint of the Roosevelt is that this pro-
vision is aimed at them Col Roosevelt has prevented his
from appearing the primary ballots in certain other
States 1t apparently his opinion to the time of his
leaving for the West Indies and it certainly is the opinion
to-day of many of his bestbaanced admirers that he
not afford to enter the primary contest avowed and
personally active candidate Such Roosevelt feel that
owing the split in 1912 the only way in which he
with dignity obtain the nomination will be if is offered to
him by the overwhelming vote of the convention.
The thing is true regarding the nomination Of
Hughes The only development that would Justify him
cepting the nomination would be spontaneous uprising of
the people and overwhelming demand through the
tional convention result If Barnes and his FELLOW
sprators in other States under plea of Root nsuc
tons preference whatever muzze the voters and
keep them from favoring demanding either Roosevelt
Hughes then the will be paved to prevent either OF
those men from taking the nomination.
In the meantime of the leading republicans in
Congress accsoming the rank and file to the idea of
voting with Wilson in the of patriotism. host of
republicans with the President various issues with
European and preparedness opposed to members
of his party. How these men turn when election
approaches and shout that it is unpaotc to vote for Pres
dent Wilson, and that his policies unsafe? Have they
not supported his Congress? How those