New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-14
TAFT IN COX FIGHT.
PRESIDENT WITH HIN.
Var Secretary Launches Increment
to Stop Machines Resurrection.
IRy TeIegraph . 10 rrtbune !


Cincinnati. March IA formidable move
ment was begun tonight to render ineffective
lhe threatened termination of the Cox machine
william H. Taft. Secretary Of War formally
launched the movement in a long letter accept
ing membership in the Roosevelt Republican
Club This letter was read at large meeting of
prominent Republicans. At the end Of the docu-
ment the following paragraph occurs:
l am directed by the President to acknowI-
edge the receipt by him of the announcement
that he has been elected an honorary member
OF the Roosevelt Republican Club. and to say
that he accepts the same with thanks"
Secretary Taft in the letter recounts the con-
stitutional objects of the organization as fol-
lows
,.aalcie article Of your constitution declares the
ooJects OF your society 70 be as follows:
The PRONUNCIATION and maintenance of the
pIl1clples advocated by the national Republican
party the maintenance of Republican Organi-
zat4on in the city of Cincinnati and county of
Hamilton opposed to bossism and machine poll
ucsi the advocacy of laws providing for the es-
tablshment of the merit system in appointments
70 subordinate offices in cities, villages and
ties the advocacy of such changes in the cleo
tlon laws as shall permit a more direct partici-
patton by the people in nominations 10 public
eIectlVe onCes; the separation of municipal af-
fairs from national party politics; equal oppor
tunlty for all men honorably seeking office; re-
slstance TO and exposure of corruption; the pro-
motion Of reform in public affairs. and the in
culcation, maintenance and furtherance Of high
Ideals of American citizenship.
Republican leaders say that the formation of
the club puts the finishing touch to Coxism.
Judge Howard c. HoIlister presided.
Secretary Taft in his letter said:
First-That the members. as believers in Re-
pubHcanism, should work for the continued
supremacy of the party.
SecOnd-That the tendency Of recent years
had been toward the perfection of municipal ma
chimes, and that Cincinnati had afforded
ample Of the power Of such organizations for
decade; that the Cox organization used political
patronage to establish itself, and through its
thoroughness was able for sears TO defy the
people at the polls: that the recent Democratic
victory a triumph of the people and that
such an uprising could not be looked for at all
elections; that eternal vigilance was necessary
10 keep in touch with the situation at all times;
that it idle to hope to defeat machine states
at every election unless counter organizations,
actuated by patriotic motives, took the field:
that the initial stand OF the club was praise
worthy, and it should not be allowed 10 degen-
crate into q machine itself, or an exclusive body
from which the repentent machine men would be
barred.
Third-That he feared that all efforts to finish
machine rule would be only temporarily sue
cessful until Ohio passed an adequate merit sys-
TEN law.
Fourth-That he was favorable to a general
direct primary law.
Fifth-That there we're many difficulties in
the way of maintaining separation Of national
and municipal politics; that there was no rela-
ton between the two; that a wise discretion
should be shown in boiling party candidates in
local elections, and that ii was better to select
good delegates than to work for particular Of
ficers.
Sixth-Adyocates equal rights fer all
Seventh-The club urged TO asist and ex-
pose corruption and TO promote reform in public
affairs.
The letter accepting membership for the Pres
ident and Secretary Taft aroused great enthus-
iasm in the meeting. Despite the worst weather
of the winter. which covered the city with a
six inch layer of slush. the hall was filled and
the quality OF the members of the new Organiza-
ton caused much comment
The Honest Elections Committee. which did
much work in the last campaign and was COM
posed Of the heavyweight young Republicans
and a few Democrats with independent leantngs,
was present practically in a body