The Washington herald., 1908-03-16

Ex-senator Chandler. Of New Hamp-
shire, is taking an active part in the cam
paign now or in his state for the selec-
tion Of delegates to the Chicago conven-
ton
Winston Churchill. the novelist issued
an appeal to New Hampshire to send
delegates pledged TO Taft. and opposes
gun shoe politics handled by seasoned
politicians Mr. Churchill, in an address
az Wilford, y. r.. sustained President
Roosevelts demand for pledges to Taft.
"hicn demand he paraphrases as follows:
appeal 70 all workers Of the party
who believe ia me and tn what I am try
ing 10 do. 10 unite on the man best fitted
to carry on nay polieies-a man against
whose honesty, broad-mindedness. and
ability there can be no particle OF objec-
tiOn-Secretary Taft"
Mr.. Chambers reply is as fellows.
No one has said that delegates should
not have opinions nor that they should
not express their view 10 the convention
If they choose TO do so. But suppose a
representative Republican - Senator Cal
liuger. for instance-says he has not vet
reached an opinion what candidate. con-
sidering both the question Of his nonina-
ton and the question OF his election.
ought 10 be nominated for President.
should that Republican be left at home as
ineligible2 or # he goes. should the con
ventiOn which sends him either instruct
him so that he is not a free agent or
divide itself into conflicting branches. each
al that tine committing itself TO a spe-
cihc candidate Tor President?
All Have Right 90 Opinions.
This is a free country, and the right
to speak and vote in caucuses and con-
venuons and az the polls should not be
hampered- Taft meetings and speeches
and Hughes meetings and speeches should
be in evidence wherever any one pleases.
and Messrs. Churchill and Rollins had the
right 10 offer pledged delegates 20 Mr..
Taft. and have the right 20 endeayor 10
pass resolutions which would be virtually
instructions 90 the delegates.
But the question still remains for the
masses OF the party in the State. whether
on the whole il would be wise 10 pass
such resolutions I know % very few Re
pUbllcans who believe 10 would be wise 10
open warfare III the convention IN favor
Of any such resolutions.
As Mr.. Churrh..- Says. the voters are
doing a good deal OF thinking this year
So they are, and there is no reason
why any State convention should not in
dOrse Mr.. Roosevelt's policies. But when
the President says. as ~ Churchill
AYERS, 'Tn order ia carry on my policies,
unite on Taft" ii by no means follows
that every State convention 10 elect dele
gates 20 q deIiberative convention at Chi
ufrO n
nand that no one but Taft shall be his
successor. and that N1essrs. ChurChilrs
Eud Rollins tender 10 1Ir. Taft OF pledged
delegates should be fulfilled
NOveIist's Demand absurd"
Mr.. Churchill does not raise, because he
cannot raise. the question Of liberty OF
speech and Of political effort. His de-
mand is that every delegate 10 Chicago
Of the $50 shall be committed 70 can
didate before ne goes there. That is an
absurd demand Opposed 10 it are none
but seasoned politicians" he says; and
that candidate for delegate who does
not now know who ought 70 be the nomi-
nee for President VIII be as undecided in
June. Therefore. no such man should be
chosen. Every such man represents gum
shoe politics
Against this preSumptuOuS argument I
venture again 10 say that IL is best for
New Hampshire. and for the nation. that
the delegates 20 Chicago shall go uncom-
mitted and unpledged and unhampered by
resolutions, 10 consult with the delegates
whom they may meet. with the view OF
finding out what candidate for President
viii be the surest 90 be elected against
Mr- Bryan To cause a division upon
that question 20 be decided IN June OF
the New Hampshire State and district
conventions 10 be held IN April would
be egregiOus folly. What say those Re
publicans whom il pleases Mr.. Churchill
20 call seasoned politicians practicing
gum shoe politics2
/ never expected 10 be put into that
class by a novelist
WILLIAM E. CHANDLER.