Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-20
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN.
Vorys, Herrick and Hitchcock All Have
Strong Backing.

Vorys, Herrick and Hitchcock All Have
Strong Backing.
I Chicago. June 19.-Eight members
of the Republican national commit
| tee left Chicago tonight for Cincinnati
| to confer with Secretary Taft concern
| ing the election of national chairman
to manage the Republican campaign.
The subcommittee was appointed at
the suggestion of Sec. Taft who is
| SAID to be somewhat embarrassed by
| appeals from his friends in Ohio for
| the appointment of Arthur Vorys or
| Myron r. Herrick Of that state, and
| by the demand made in a petition by
a majority of the members of the ma
tional committee for the appointment
| of Frank f. Hitchcock The latter, be-
| cause of his success in the Taft dele
! cation for delegates, is being strongly
| pushed by his friends, while those who
are personally attached to Mr. Vorys
| have announced that they intend to
make every possible effort in his be-
| half. Congressman James S. Sherman,
of New York. who today was nominate
ed for Vice President, accompanied tne
| sub committee to Cincinnati.
| The men who will confer with Sec
rotary Taft on the craftsmanship ques-
ton are: Powell Clayton, Arkansas;
| Myron r. Hcrricl, Ohio; Frank b. Kel-
| logg Minnesota: Chas. Nagel, Mis-
souri,; Il. F. Hart, Iowa: Senator w.
| z. Borah, Idaho; r. G. Duncan, North
| Carolina, and Frank Q. Lowden, Hi
nOiS.
The sub committee was selected
when the new national committee met
| for organization Immediately after the
adjournment of the convention Friends
of Hitchcock insist that more than
half Of the eight members will vote to
elect him chairman. while the advO
Gates of Norys say that five members
favor the election of the latter or of
some man other than Mr.. Hitchcock
1t is conceded. however, that the
craftsmanship depends absolutely upon
the wishes Of Mr.. Taft, who has not
publicly expressed any preference.
Npvcrth alces he has Indicated that the
question is one of practical politics
and that no selection will be made for
sentimental reasons.
Keen interest in the selection OF a
political manager for Sec. Taft j.; tax
Ell by Chas. p. Taft of Ohio and Henry
W. Taft OF New York, brothers of the
Republican nominee. In view of the
fact that Mr. Hitchcock and Mr.. Vorys
both have strong followings an effort
was made today by Chas p. Taft, to
have both Withdraw from The race.
Tie suggestion that this course be
taken. when made to Mr.. Hitchcock.
caused him to state that he had at no
maEShip and that he would not en-
barlasS the secretary by asking for
the place. Mr.. EurNs would max" no
statement, however. leaving his inter-
csts entirely with his friends.
That the subcommittee is cmpoW-
cred to select u chairman and 4 treas
urrr. was asserted by Myron T, Her
rick, after tho Hl tournament of the sub
conlHlitt"e. All Of the members Of the
committee. however do not UNDER
stand the authority given them in the
same manner as Mr. Hcrrick
The sccretaryship and the position
of sergeant -at-arms were settled by
tn" election of Elmer Dover of Ohio,
and VIM. +. Stone Of Maryland to sue
coed Themselves as secretary ana SCR
geant-at-arms, respectively.
General Powell Clayton of Arkansas
was chosen to act as chairman until q
permanent official is named.
1t was decided that the committee
should start for Cincinnati late tonight
and the conference with Sec. Taft is
to be held tomorrow morning, the sec
rotary having left Washington today.
Before the subcommittee met a
score of the members of the national
committee, who are insistent that Mr.. |
Hitchcock shall be appointed. met in
an adjoining room. They drew up a
petition addressed to Sec. Taft, ask |
ing for the selection of Mr.. Hitchcock. |
which will be delivered to the secretary |
tomorrow by a member of the sub
committee. Twenty-four signatures |
were secured in the meeting and it was |
then circulated among other members
who had been absent Before the meet
ing of the sub committee was held a |
majority Of the national committee, it |
is asserted, had signed the petition
and tn" signatures did not include any |
members Of the subcommittee APP
pointed to confer with the secretary. |
This petition is intended by the friends
of Mr.. Hitchcock to augment the in
tiuence of individual letters mailed to
the secretary several days ago.