Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-06

President Taft went on the stump to
defeat Roosevelt, but his own State went
split. even. When the Republican con-
vention met in Chicago the bitterness
between the factions was 20 great that
predictions OF rioting In the convention
We're freely made.
The national committee passed on the
contested cases and threw out nearly all
the Roosevelt contests. The Roost velt
men charged that this action consti-
tuted fraud and a denial of the will OF
the people.
The convention was the stormlest
since the Democratic convention In
Charleston in 1850. The Colonel de-
nanded that the Taft men whose seats
were contested should not be allowed to
rote on each others cases, and when this
was decided against him he called on his
followers to sit mute and refrain from
voting. Most of them obeyed this In
junction, but even as it was the Colonel
received l07 votes, much to his disgust.
Progressive Party Born
The night the convention adjourned
Roosevelt's followers proceeded to Or
chestra Hall. where he was Informally
placed In nomination as bolting can-
didate. But real convention was held
later in August, at which ,he FRO
and Roosevelt was nominated for Pre-
dent and Hiram w. johnson, of Cali
fornia, for Vice President.
The Colonel immediately began a
stumping tour that brought hirl through
nearly every State in the Union. When
election day arrived It was found that
his achievement was something stu
pendous. Though his party, was not
born until two months after the regular
party convention had been held, he had
put the old Republican party entirely
out of the running. Taft carried onlv
the two small States OF ttah and Yer.
mont, while the new ard unorganlge0
Progressive party had carried the great
States OF California, Michigan, Minne-
sofa, Pennsylvania and SCUM Dakota'
Roosevelt had more than 100000 votes.
Spectacular as this evidence of Roose-
velt's strength with the people was; the
split in the Republican party which ne
had precipitated was responsible for
presidency.
While the campaign was in progress
Colonel Roosevelt was shot by crank
named John Schrank. Just as he was
going to deliver a speech IN the Audl.
courage, and despite the fact that he
had no idea whether his wound was
mortal or not, the Colonel insisted ON
proceeding to the Auditorium and going
be his last chance to- get his Ideas before
the people. Then lie was rushed to a
hospital His splendid physique en-
abled him to recover quickly from
wound that might have been fatal TO an
ordinary man.
Proved CIennness Of Life
While the campaign was in progress
stories we're spread widely by word OF
mouth that Colonel Roosevelt was
drunkard. He determined that as soon
as this siander appeared In any respcn-
sble newspaper he would settle it for
all time by libel suit. Similar stories,
he said. were circulated to this day
about other public men equally guilt
less and now dead, because they never
deemed them worthy OF contradiction in
their lifetime.
Presently Ithe charge appeared in a
newspaper called Iron Ore. published In.
IshpeminG. Mich, and Colonel Roose.-
Welt promptly sued for libel. The suit
OF witnesses that the plaintiff produced
never was eoualed in any suit in recent
times Admirals. generals. cabinet Of
flcers. Senators. Governors. authors.
who had been intimately associated with
the Colonel appeared to give their testi-
mony, and they testified not only to his
temperance In drinking. but to his clean
ness of life and speech. 1t was tribute
to be proud OF.
About this time Colonel Roosevelt was
invited to 20 to Argentina and deliver
lectures on economic problems. He ac-
cepted the invitation, and then decided
that while lie was about il, he would
seize the opportunity to 60 into the hin.
terland for exploring and hunting lie
sailed on October 4. 1913.
On this trip he explored the unnapped
Brazilian waterway known as the Rio
Duvida. or River of Doubt" name
which occasloned much Joking specula-
tion as to whether "the Colonel" would
again become a candidate for the pres-
dency. 1t was on this exploration tour
that he contracted the fever and it's
subsequent blood affections, which, re-
curing in an aggravated form last
week, caused his death.
can boss of New York. into the Ananias
Club on the day he sailed. I'arness
suit for libel. brought soon after ended
a year later in Il victory for "T. r." The
Rio dc Janeiro, Buenos Aires and other
south American cities where he made
addresses. but was given the cold
shoulder by the Government of Colom-
ba. which took occasion at the time
to protest TO Cuba against his "plunder
Of Panama"
Attacks on him went cn merrily while
he was away. facetious gentlemen sug-
become King of Albania and Dictator Of
Mexico. Returning late in May he
sailed almost Immediately for England
returning late in June. after trip to
II,
King Alfonso Discord among New
York Progressives caused him to declare.
eff Perkins goes, | go too" Giving up
! his editorial work on the outlook in
July. in October he toured Penn
sylvania. denouncing PenrVse and plead
ing for the election OF PincMot and Vance
Mccormick. In August he denied that
he w1uld run again for the presidency
D From the very outset of the Europea n
9Nar his denunclations of Germany'S 4
smiltaristic policy began. German news
papers, remembering his culogies Of tho
kaiser. bitterly attacked him. With re-
newed energy. day In and day out, in
speeches. editorials and interviews, ha
pleaded for preparedness" on the mart
Of TIE United states. nayed the paclnsts
and eXcoriatcd the sentiments Of those
I who sang II Didn't Raise My Boy to
Be Soldier"
In December he wrote to Progrcssiv We
leaders in Oregon, again saying that he
/ would not again be candidate. for the
I presidency. perhaps the public is a
I. little tired OF me-" he added
q Nevertheless, when the Progressive
later, the mention Of his name brought
: forth cheering which lasted for ninety
three consecutive minutes. lie declined
TO accept the nomination. An effort had
been made to nominate him at the Re
publican national convention, and al
r.thoush he Withheld his consent to this
! MS refusal to parley, with the old wing
of the party cast a gloom over Hughes :
supporters, After Eiughes's nomin ,tIou
he gave him his Endorsement. much 10
themselves left adrift without theii
idolized leader. but the damage had ther
been done. to the hopes of both Repub,
lcans and ?rogressives, Again. as In
1911. Rooseyclt's attitude. this time he.
cause OF Eis aloofness, contrbutet
n t.N.N .l.@..N