22 JUNE 1912, Page 1

We note the statement that Mr. Roosevelt cannot " bolt

" because an independent candidature for the Presidency would cost a million sterling, and his friends are not rich enough to find that amount. We very much doubt the necessity for such lavish expenditure, and we believe that Mr. Roosevelt is quite prominent enough in America and has quite enough hold upon the imagination and interest of his fellow-countrymen to do his own advertising—for that under various pseudonyms is what the million pounds would go in. No doubt sonic money is essential to a Presidential candidature, but probably one-tenth of a million would suffice. If Mr. Roosevelt should not only break up the tyranny of the Republican machine by standing as an Independent candidate, but should also show that a Presidential candidate need not place himself under an intolerable obligation to those who subscribe to tho Presi- dential fand, he would have conferred a double blessing on his country. The tyranny of the party purse-holders in America is a terrible evil.