The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-03-26

club of Bingham county for the in
formation and enjoyment of the pub
lie:
A few weeks ago l started on
of the eastern part of the United
States and within twenty-four
hours the hand of fate was prOpelling
me Chicagoward. This particular
manifestation of fate was the almost
universal interest shown in Major
General Leonard Wood and his pros
poets for the Presidential nomina-
ton. Wherever l went, whether in
trains or street cars or jitney buses,
whether l spoke with bankers or pro-
fessional men or merchants or work.
ers, the interest was the same. Not
everyone was enthusiastic about the
General; some, indeed, were opposed
to him, but he was the most-talked-
of man in the country.
An old Regular Army sergeant
started it. We were in the smoking
room Of train rolling westward
from New York. What do you
think, SIR" he questioned, ''about
General Wood? Do you suppose
them politicians will give him a
chance, or will they do to him like
they did to Teddy"
declined to commit myself as to
the motives and might of them poll
ticians.'
''The army sure is for him-but
of course most of 'em don't VOTE"
concluded my friend of the khaki.
The next day l fell to chatting
with yOungster from st. Louis, who
was selling betting. 1t was he, not
l, who brought up the magic name.
I'm strong for General Wood for
President he said "but I'm afraid
the old line Republicans will keep
him from being nominated. l was a
lieutenant in the Tenth Division
the last one he trained at Camp Funs-
ton-and know what kind of man
he is. No politicians are going to
run him. And, say, do you know
that the British and French officers
who visited Camp Funston said that
the Tenth was the best trained divi-
sion in the army-but we never got
across. All my folks are Democrats,
and l suppose l am too, but I'll vote
for General Wood every time. Most
of the boys who were in our outfit
will, too"
Later on the trip was at Carey,
Ind, where the memories of the steel
strike were vivid. was chatting with
the foreman of a factory-a union
man and a good hater He had not
been involved in the strike, but his
sympathies were freely expressed.
How about this man Wood?" |
asked him. Held the strikers down
with a pretty strong hand, didn't
he?"
He was strong" was the reply,
but l should say that he was fair
according to his lights. He said he
was going to keep order and he did.
Probably the way he saw it that was
his job, and so long as ne was fair
about it | can't blame him. He put
a touch of the human element into
the situation. Realized we were hui
man beings"
"If he were to be nominated for
President, would you vote for him."
I've always been a Republican,
except when | was a Bull Moose. /
reckon that all we workingmen can
hope for is to have fair man. Yes,
I'd vote for Wood"
During the first few days of my
trip | talked with merchants, doc
tors, lawyers, minister several en-
listed men in the army and navy,
book agent, three railroad men,
taXicab driver, a street-car cOnduc-
tor, and perhaps number of 9TH
ers whom | cannot remember, each
of whom brought up the name of
General Wood. The thing had grown
to impress me so that | carefully
avoid introducing him into any con-
versation. | waited for the other
fellow to. In Atlanta, Pittsburg, Gin
cinnati, Cleveland, st. Louis, Kan
sas City and all in between it was the
same. AS we were speeding across
Missouri an old gentleman in the
car voiced the sentiment
that we didn't want any military
man for President. He admitted to
being lifelong Democrat.
A middle-aged business woman of
evident education and undeniable
charm led casual conversation in
to Political channels. "I'm from ILL
nois, and out there we are strong for
Governor Lowden,' she said "but af-
ter him General Wood seems to be
the best man. Nobody has anything
against Wood, but we think Lowden
would be stronger candidate"
Wherever picked up local news
paper it was sprinkled with refer
ences to the General as thick as the
raisins in plum pudding. This con-
slant reiteration began to get on my
nerves, so to speak. I couldn't re-
ever having heard a man so
discussed in the same
way When Roosevelt was in every
body's mouth, there were plenty of
curses along with the praise. In
1898 Dewey was a popular IDOL and
his name couldn't be kept out of any
but this was different.
hadn't heard single, solitary pup
being named Wood, which was evil
lence to my mind the General wasn't
The victim of sentimentalism run
wild. People were discussing him
,emperately, seriously, judicially.
They were extravagant neither in
praise nor blame. Plainly, here was