The Washington herald., 1908-02-12
CRITICS NOT MUFFLED
ROOseVelt'S Denial Fails to
Cover Up Some Facts.
HOW TAFT NIOPHYTES TRAVEL
BeekmHn winthrop Beginning,
and Meyer, Taft, and Roosevelt
Now Dubbed .'The Great Luncheon
Campaign-Men High Up Accused.

| Now Dubbed "Ehe Great Luncheon
Campaign-Men High Up Accused.
President Roosevelts letter to My Dear
Foulke. in which be branded as false
and malicious the charges that Federal
oficeholdcrs had been formed into fly
ing wedge to bring about the nomination
Of a Presidential candidate Of Mr. Roose-
velts choosing, has not served to dampen
the ardor Of the critics of the admins
tration.
Casting aside generalities, the opponents
of the President and the Taft candidacy
taking their cue from the speech deliv-
cred Monday, boy Senator Foraker, are
beginning to cite instances o. the activity
Of Federal officeholders in the interests
Of the political plans of the President and
his friends.
1t is charged that there is iudisputable
lproof that Federal ofliceholders are work
ing for the Taft candidacy in Missouri
and North Carolina; that their activity
in Florida was revealed by the State
convention there. and that generally
( D.
Influenced by their knowledge that MI
Roosevelt has fixed IDEAS about the sue
cession. and they are working to the end
that his desires in this respect shall be
realized.
Quote specific Instances.
It Is pointed out for example that
in Florida. where. it is charged the office
holding contingent bolted the regular con-
yentlon when il became apparent that
the auti-Taft people Outnumbered them.
named four delegates at large. three Of
whose names appeared on the government
pay roll TIE delegates-at-large in ques-
tion are.
Joseph 7. lee, United states collector ot internal
r8emt.
Hsnr S. chabb. receiver Of the United state.
Land Gfce
r NJ B. McFarlans. United States collector Of Gus
toms,
, J. s. Corms. the administrations referee on all
, FEDERAL appointments iR Florida.
In the First and Second districts Of
Florida. the Taft forces named four post
masters as delegates To the Republican
{ National Convention.
8 Recent developments in Missouri have
! also aroused criticism. In that State, IL
Is claimed Federal officebolders were ac-
! tive iu behalf OF Secretary Taft at tho
J convention held I'm the Second Congress
3 sional district
Postmasters, deputy collectors of Gus
Q toms and internal revenue have all been
Z pressed into service for Taft although Il
is not charged that IL was done on orders
p from Washington or with the advice or
+, consent OF Washington.
Men High UD Accused.
Il is now alleged that two officers prom
, ineut IN administration circles are taking
d an active part In the campaign 20 nomi-
S nate Secretary Taft. one OF them IS
t George Won Lengerke Meyer. the Post
: master General, who, it is said, viii be
the big man Of the administration II Mr
Taft is elected President. The other is
Beekman Winthrop. Assistant Secretary
Of the Treasury Messrs. Meyer and Win
thr0p, according 10 a story told in Wash
y ington Yesterday are the gentlemen 10
whom are sent visitors who are in search
? OF information as 10 the whereabouts OF
d the band wagon
r If what is told is 90 be believed 1Ir.
20 Meyer and Mr.. Winthrop have evolved a
l. process whereby any one who may be on
, the fence can in a short time be converted
into an enthusiastic "Tafter" An IN
| stance in point is related as follows. Some
d days ago there came up out Of the South
r I a Republican politician who wanted 10
y known in the present emergency just
what course he should pursue. He had
10 been jealous third-termer; but as the
s President had apparently put his foot
= down on the third-term movement, he
:. was at loss which way TO turn.
winthrop an Enthusiast.
= He wanted to be for Taft, and, although
:. not from Missouri, be asked 20 be shown.
= He was referred to Beckman Winthrop.
q Mr. Winthrop is a young man. but what
he lacks IN political knowledge he makes
Up in enthusiasm. and Just now he is en-
:, thuslng over Taft, whose secretary he
was when Taft was governor Of the Phil
n ippnes. Mr.. Winthrop gave the Southern
70 brother lot of information, all tending
z to show that Mr. Taft led all the candi-
re dates. and that his nomination was one
Of the few certainties Of the future. The
Southern leader was impressed-so inn
n pressed i'm fact that in his minds eye he
,a saw Mr.. Taft nominated.
The next day he had another talk with
' Mr Winthrop. The latter invited him 10
luncheon. ana as tneE parted AT. N il-
d throp said: My friend. I wish you would
IS call on Postmaster General Meyer Heed
,e ing Mr. Winthrop's injunction, the South
f. ern leader proceeded TO the Post-office
o Department.
Is Meyer Hs a Missionary.
L. There were ffty-seven reasons why Mr.
.e Taft was certain TO be nominated. pTevi-
S ously outlined by Mr.. Winthrop, and
n they were again cited by Mr.. Meyer foI
7- the benefit Of his visitor. The Southern
n leader was the guest Of Mr.. Meyer al
D. luncheon the following day. The Post.
re- master General. with a winning smile
.e advised his newly found friend TO call OF
,f the Secretary of War, Having had
< touch of high society, the man from tbs
In South vas willing to go still higher
m He sought and secured an audience
pr with Secretary Taft He was treated
kindly. basked in the genial smile Of Mr.
-, Taft for a minute or two, shook a hanC
IL that is cordial and friendly in its grasp
III and received a hint that perhaps n,
I'll would find a warm welcome at the White
e. House. The Southern leader bounded
ne across the street to see the President.
s. Reaches the President.
Great Delight was expressed at hi
appearance. and after a stay of abou
five minutes. this Southern leader vvh,