The Washington herald., 1908-06-07
TAFT POLITICS HURTS
Despite Protests, Secretary
Gains Delegates.
GETS FLORIDA AND GEORGIA
BlodSett, Of the Cracker State, De-
nounces Committee as One "FOr
the Manufacture of Taft Delegates,
Limited" - Fairbanks Looms I'D.
Platform Reaches Chicago.

Chicago, June 6.-"This is not a Re-
publican National Committee. That sign
| above the door is a misnomer. II we're
in authority I'd tear it down and substi-
tute this
" The national committee for the
manufacture Of Taft delegates. limited. -
Wiping his face. down which the per-
spiration was streaming freely. every
hair in his head standing well-nigh on
end and his general appearance indlcat-
ing his Indignation. Delegate T. NJ
Blodgett, Of the Fifth Georgia district.
emerged from the Republican National
Committee room this afternoon. He had
had his say against the seating OF the
delegates pledged 10 the nomination Of
William Howard Taft, OF Cincinnati. and
Washington, and had been turned down
the committee following the precedent It
set at its initial session and seating the
Taft delegates from his State
But Blodgett was simply one Of a num-
Der that had felt the power Of the ma
chine" during the day.
Gain OF sixteen for Taft.
Summed UP. the session Of the commit
tee was gain 10 the Taft people OF six
delegates from Florida, with two others
passed over until Monday, because Of the
absence Of certain necessary documents.
four delegates-at-large from Georgia, this
particular contest being won by default.
the contestants failing 20 put In an ap-
pearance. and six district delegates from
the same State, two each from the Fifth,
Eighth, and Eleventh districts.
That the allies intend to carry the fight
over contested delegates to the convention
floor was shown by the filing again to-day
OF protests against the seating as a mem
Der OF the committee by proxy Of Frank
H. Hitchcock and the two other Taft
managers.
Few of the allies would talk about the
matter. but Representative Burke. Of
Pennsylvania, the Knox manager. de-
clared the action Of the committee would
result in more damage 70 Taft than the
allies.
Why" he said this running rough
shod over contestlng delegations and
passing upon cases. just as some people
want Il done, viii create more sentiment
against the candidate than benefits. Tam
many tactics are, TO say the least, bad
taste"
Burke and the other managers insisted
that the fight was merely beginning. and
they expressed the belief that the com
mittee on contested seats and ihe con-
vention itself Will reverse to-day's ac-
ton.
Taft and Fairbanks.
The general feeling tonight is that the
ticket will be Taft and Fairbanks. The
Indiana man has not withdrawn from
the race for President, but il is said that
II he cannot win first place. he will not
object 10 being named for second.
If Fairbanks is TO be nominated as
the party candidate for Vice President"
said a Fairbanks leader tonight. he
must have the unanimous vote Of the
delegates"
The draft Of the platform as prepared
in Washington is here Every provision
included in 1t. so far. is carefully guard
ed 1t is known, though. that It declares
for tariff revision. and this fact. Il is
asserted tonight, may result in a lively
fight.