Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-03-12

Ex-senator William Z. Chandler of
New Hampshire and William Pitt Kel-
logg, former Republican Governor of
Louisiana, have issued from Washington
an appeal, or, as they term it. "a few
suggestive words to the Republican vot-
erS of the South. First, they ask that
the Southern delegates to the presidential
convention be not massed in favor of any
one candidate, expressing their belief that
any candidate nominated as a result of
the united action of the Southern dele
gates would be defeated at the polls. They
urge that the delegates be, if possible,
free and uninstructed, who from the
beginning to the end will act with pru-
dence. discretion and wisdom, according
| to their best Judgment, formed only ut the
time and place of the convention They
also issue warning against allowing the
delegates to be named or controlled by
federal officeholders. And, above all, they
protest against excluding colored Rapub-
licans from taking active pare in the
election of delegates.
The first written word from Gov.
Hughes of New York defining MS atti-
tude toward the Republican nomination
for President was contained in his reply
to letter of inquiry from a member of
the New York City Republican Club. In
it the Governor says he is not seeking
office. but will respond to the call Of his
party should the voters, with deliberation
and harmony, decide to present his name.
He reiterates that he will not attempt to
influence the selection or vote of any dele
II, IL, :
must continue to be impartial and not
tributary to any candidacy. He says the
| matter is one for the party to decide, and
that whatever its decision he will be
content.
The expected statement from the Pres-
dent in reply to widely circulated charges
that he had used federal patronage to aid
the candidacy of Secretary Taft came out
in the form of letter to William Dud-
ley Foulke of Indiana, who had written
to the President as a friendly inquirer.
The President says that all such charges
are false and malicious For the great
bulk of postmasterships and collectorships
the President asserts that he has fol-
lowed the custom of taking the recon-
mendation of the Senators and Represent
atives as the basis of his selections. The
President says his interference in matters
of patronage has been limited to insisting
that opposition TO the purposes. policies
and friends of the administration shall
not be considered as a necessary prerequi-
site to holding the commission of the
President.
The advices which told how the Repub-
lican convention of Florida had been
broken up by a row started by the anti
Taft faction also disclosed the beginning
of a concerted effort of the anti-adminis-
trat1on forces to divide all the Southern
delegations to the national convention by
similar tactics and then trust to infiu-
ence with the committee on credentials
to get contesting delegations seated.
The Democratic State convention at
Hutchinson, Kan. eb. 81. unanimous
~ adopted a resolution instructing all
delegates to the Denver convention TO
cast a solid vote for the nomination of
William ]. Bryan
At a conference of leaders of the indie
pendence League. held in Chicago, steps
were taken for the formation of new
national political party. \ declaration
of principles setting forth the objects of
the organization was adopted and ma
tional provisional committee, of which
W. X. Hearst is chairman, was author
lied TO call national convention. to be
held after those of the Republican and
Democratic parties.
As the foremost rival OF Taft for the
Republican nomination. Gov. Hughes OF
New York is very much in the glare OF
publicity at this moment, his every word
and act being watched and reported by
the press