The Washington herald., 1908-01-03
TAFT FACTION Wins
Early Convention in Ohio
Decided On by Il to Z.
FORAKER ADHERENTS ROUTED
Majority in state Central Committee
Meeting Declines 10 Hear Gov.
Harris, Who Wished to Express the
Views of Aspirants 10 State Offices.
Cox Brings About One Modification

Columbus Ohio, Jan. Victory perched
on the banners Of Secretary Taits po-
litical army to-day, when the Ohio Re
publican State central committee, by a
vote of "A TO :, which vote never varied
in a battle of amendments which ragged
all afternoon, ordered the State couven-
tion to be held in Columbus. March 3.
six weeks earlier than usual. and directed
that delegates to this convention be Sc
lected by direct vote in primaries
throughout the State February II.
The Foraker members of the commit
tee, who fought persistently for minor
points of vantage, after seeing the battle
for a late convention and to avert d pri-
mary 10 be futile, were routed at each
step, the seven alone clinging TO the
Senator's cause This seven is two more
than espoused the Foraker programme a
few months ago, when the State commit
tee indOrscd the Taft candidacy.
But the seven was not without It's
achievement 1t forced the Taft ma
jority into the position of refusing to
hear from Gov. Harris, as representing
the aspirants to State office who viii be
candidates before the State convention rs
TO his views on an early convention. 1T
has been argued by the Foraker leaders,
despite the Senator's demand for a
primary 20 test Presidential sentiment.
that such a move would leave the candi-
dates for State offices without opportunity
10 make their campaign.
Two Changes in Programme.
The motion 10 listen to Gov Harris
was lost, fourteen to seven. and the Taft
men voted an executive session. The
leaders of the Secretary's campaigo made
two alterations in the programme an
nounced last night permitting the COM
mittee to get the convention three weeks
later than the leaders had predicted last
night and also putting through a proyis-
ion that in calling the primaries the
county committees in the five big city
counties could. if they so wished. choose
delegates by wards rather than by vote
OF the county as "A whole, as is prescribed
for smaller counties.
The Foraker men, Who assert they can
split several delegations under such a
rule, lay claim to "a partial victory In this.
1uey IouSut Tor lNe ward rule through
out the State, but were unsuccessful in
amending the rule as reported by the Taft
majority subcommittee.
The Taft leaders maintain that they
saw reason in the argument that a con-
vention earlier than March, necessitating
primaries in January or very early IN
February, would cut down the vote be
cause of bad roads and unfavorable
weather. They pointed to their big ma
jority in the committee as proof that
they were not forced to this change in
programme.
Cox Aids Foraker Men.
George B. Cox, thus far counted as for
Taft is credited with bringing about the
ward rule for city counties.
Delegate tickets in the primaries axe to
be undesignated as TO Presidential prefer
euCes, names 10 be arranged alphabet
cally, and petition Of ten voters is suffi-
cient TO put any name on the ticket.
AS final proof Of their power, the Taft
leaders brought about the naming Of
James r. Garfield, Secretary Of the Inte-
TioT and Tafts close frieend. for tempo
rary chairman. and the shelving of John
r. Mallory, for years the convention sec
retary, Senator Dicks personal leuten-
ant, by naming R. NJ Switzer, another
Taft man