New-York tribune., 1908-03-06
LODGE ANSWERS CRANE.
Says He VIII Vote for Taft # Sent
as Delegate to Chicago.
Ernr-1 Tie Tribune Bureau

IFrorl Tie Tribune Bureau1
Washington March 5.--Henry Cabot Lodge.
senior Senator from Massachusetts,, when his
attention was called to the interview with Sen
ator Crane in Boston which appeared in TINS
mornings papers and he was asked IL he hao
any comment tc make. replied:
No: Senator Crane has simply made formal
and public statement of what he had said to
me repeatedly in private conversations "heh
we have been talking this matter over, anu no
doubt he has said the same 10 many others
His position. indeed, is really as we'll known as
mine. 1 am for Taft. and II the state con-
vention does the honor to choose me as d
delegate il will do with the fuil knoWieuse
that | intend to vote for Taft at Chicago
have the greatest possible respect and regard
for my colleagues wisdom and Judgment anu
] wish very much that ms oplnloHs anu liiiii'
this point conceded. -,
But there is another point in connection WIN
this matter, / am happy to say, on Whlch we
in accord. Of course. as every one
knows every state district convention Is Il
law 20 itself, and has the unquestloneo rlgl''
TO pass instructions or to adopt resolutions OF
make any declaration 1t pleases, but nave
always supported and sustained the practce OF
Massachusetts, conventions of not seeking 10
bind their delegates by instructions, as IS conf
monty done in many other states 10 not nio
understand me- There Is broad distinction
between Instructions and the expression or "a
sentiment or opinion by those whom the dele
gates represent. For example, when in Io9o
| offered the resolution which was adopted py
our state convention declaring It's preference
for Mr. Reed, 7 careful to say at the De
ginning that Massachusetts Republicans nave
never undertaken to pledge or bind their deie-
gates TO a national convention" l attach great
importance to the independence of the repre-
sentative, and ] have tried to the best or my
ability to defend the representative pr1nclpie
against efforts for legislation which. in my 1uog-
Inent would impair it or break It down. But,
strongly as | feel this question, nave al
ways believed. matter Of course. that con-
ventions or public meetings or constituencies
were absolutely entitled to express to their rep
resentatives their opinions and their wishes IL
they desired to do so.
To every Republican in Massachusetts the
action of the coming Chicago convention is
Just as important as it is to me. Every Re
publican in the State has the same right as
myself to express his opinion to his choice
for President and to make his opinion known
as I have made mine known. This is a very
different thing from attempting so to bind the
delegate s to make him a mere machine or
record.
Some surprise has been expressed among poll
ticians here at the assertion accompanying Sem
ator Cranes statement, to the effect that the
Senator would manage the boom of Governor
Hughes. Mr.. Crane has stated emphatically to
many friends in Washington that he would not
manage any ones boom. and until he author
ICES some statement to the contrary there VIII
be skepticism In Washington on that point In
fact the impression is general here that Mr..
Crane is so far committed to the candidacy of
Senator Knox that, until the convention has
made It's choice, he would be unwilling TO
undertake the promotion of the political for
tunes of any other candidate than the Senator
from Pennsylvania, who is his close personal as
well political friend.