The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-05
FRIENDLY TO TAFT.
New Jersey Republicans Meet in Con-
ventiOn to Elect Delegates.

Trenton, N. J., May 5.-The contest
for delegates at large to the Republic
can national convention, fought out
in today's convention attracted more
than usual interest. The five candi-
dates for the four places who are all
leaders in their respective fields were
Governor Fort. former Governor John
w. Griggs, United States Senators
Kean and Briggs and State Ambassa-
dor David Baird. The indications
were that Governor Fort, Senators
Kean and Briggs and Mr.. Baird would
win. Former Governor Franklin
Murphy after comforting. today with
other candidates for delegate at large
withdrew his name as candidate.
Griggs refused to withdraw. There
was some talk of tfavoring Mr.. Murphy
as a vice presidential candidate. Gov
ernor Fort and Ex-Governor Griggs
are avOwed Taft men. It was gen.
orally believed that the delegates
chosen will not be Instructed for any
candidate, although an attempt will
be made to have the convention en-
dorse the nomination of Secretary
Taft. Most of the district delegates
appear favorable to Taft. 1t is un-
derstood that no unit rule will be
adopted which will be an advantage to
Taft.
Talk of presenting a resolution ia
voring Governor Fort for vice presi-
dent ceased today when it became
known that he prefers to serve out
his term as governor.
State Chairman Murphy called the
convention to order at 1880 O'Clock.
He introduced as the presiding Off
Ger, former United States Senator
John F. Dryden, who was received
with rousing applause. Following an
,1I - l.
committees were named and the con-
ventiOn took a recess for two hours
in order to give the committee on
credentials ample time to hear the
contest case of Hudson county. The
Pagan men are scontesting the seats
of about SO of the delegates from that
county who are known as Rotterdam
men or regulars. It is charged that
there was a great deal of fraudulent
voting in the Hudson county pri-
marieS.
Prior to the convention several dis
trict conferences were held and dis
trict delegates to the national conven-
ton were selected. In his speech Mr..
Dryden said that President Roosevelt
has unequivocally eliminated himself
from the contest for the presidential
nomination and that he is entitled to
have his declaration received in good
faith and his wish respected. After
speaking in praise of the other men
whose names nave Deen mentlOneQ as
candidates for the presidential nomi-
nation. Mr.. Dryden said that if Secre-
tary Taft was nominated and elected,
as now seems probable to- him, the
country would have a president cour-
ageous, progressive, but conservative
in judgment, diplomatic, learned in the
law. effective in legislation and wise
and just in administration. The pub
lie questions to be solved in the presi-
Dental term, Mr.. Dryden said, are
that the country's financial system has
passed its day Of usefulness, that it is
insufficient and unsuited to present
needs and has become a menace. 1t
can not continue without remedial
action, he said, and that action should
be taken by the party whose record
entities it to public confidence.
He declared that if the tariff is to be
revised it must be done by its friends,
not by its enemies. In the next presi-
Dental term, he said four justices Of
the supreme court will have a right
to retire and he declared it was of the
gravest Importance to the country that
the right kind of a president should
nominate their successors.