Arizona republican., 1919-12-04
Weak men wait for opportunities
strong men make them.
Anonymous.
The South Dakota Convention

% 1t is too early yet to make accurate guess at
the identity of the next republican candidate for the
presidency. Four five candidates already in the
field either having avowed their candidacy or being
definitely be candidates, each GER
tain of a respectable following in the national con-
yention. In this list there is not who was
identified with the reactionary element of the party
and indications that claims will be preferred
Yin favor of of reactionary antecedents. So it
+ may be assumed that the candidate will be man of
progressive tendencies. Such would be either
1owden, Wood, Pondexter or Johnson the four whose
names frequently mentioned in association
with the nomination. Incidents far point to the
supremacy of General Wood whose popularity mani
tests itself in special section the country but
in all parts of it. All the polls taken favor him.
Such polls not usually very decisive for the
THAT they usually superintendent by some one in
terested in particular candidate. One of these polls
though, by the Washington correspondents. showing
an overwhelming number of congressman to favor
Wood very significant, either way may be
considered 1t disclosed the sentiment of men in
whom may have been reflected the wishes of their
constituents. Anyway it disclosed the sentiment of
men who going to have a good deal to do with
the making up of the national convention.
The result of the South Dakota convention cannot
he said to have been surprising Such information as
Wood the favorite
But why South Dakota so strongly for Wood?
Certainly not for geographical reasons. He had two
elements of strength here-his association with
Roosevelt and his character which for two years
has been more closely studied through the whole
country. Both these elements think will be found
ia varying measure throughout the country
The Republican few days ago received the fol-
lowing communication from eminent republican Of
this state We may add that if he is a supporter of
General Wood he is probably not supporting him for
the same reasons that many of the admirers Of
Colonel Roosevelt urging his nomination:
- There is nearly a universal belief that Leonard
Wood will be the nominee of the republican conven-
ton in 1920
He is not a candidate; headquarters for him is
circulating propaganda; group of politicians
booming him. Not graduate of West Point he lacks
the backing of the professional army officers AL
though the only American general wounded in France
he not there long enough to be identified with
the overseas forces. The large interests of the
try enthusiastic this friend of Roosevelt.
Many people are opposed to any army candidate and
yet every poll in the country shows that the
for Wood.
There must be a reason Some things in his char
acter have impressed the American people. We think
we know what they He has the courage, direct
and simplicity of the ideal soldier. The country
is satated with intricate English evasion hyperbole
and delay. The pendulum of popularity swings-after
the strenuous Roosevelt the genial placid Taft after
the dreamer, theorist and dealist, demand the
man of action and common sense. After the inter-
nationalist, the intense American
e., Wood may not be elected nominated but
the great mass of America is hunting and hoping for
Of his characteristics.
hW The South Dakota convention will doubt be
followed quickly by concerted movement in behalf
OF General Wood. South Dakota alone will not cut
much figure in the national convention but that con-
vention. throughout the country will regarded as
Interpretation of the polls and straw votes to be
fairly accurate expression of a majority of the
people all over the land. To the unorganized Wood
forces everywhere. it will be heard as a keynote