The Washington herald., 1908-06-21

New York. June 2j.-The Sun publishes
the following from its correspondent In
Chicago:
Frank H. Hitchcock's refusal to be a
candidate for the chairmanship Of the
Republican National Committee was the
outcome Of the conditions which Mr.
Hitchcock declined to tolerate.
While Mr. Hitchcock. who is still here.
would not make any statement on the
subject. his reasons for throwing aside
the opportunity of managing the cam
paign Of the man whose nomination was
due mainly to his efforts. are well under
stood by his friends. They declare that
outside OF every other consideration. Mr..
Hitchcock withdrew from the contest TO
show that his ante-Convention work in
Mr.. Taft's behalf had been entirely un-
selfish, and that having accomplished Mr..
Taft's nomination. he looked for no re-
ward. and was willing TO demonstrate
the fact by leaving Mr.. Taft free 70
choose some other campaign manager.
The real fight against Mr.. Hitchcock
was begun shortly after he came here
90 attend the meeting Of the Republican
national convention.
VOrys Not in Opposition.
Arthur l. Vorys. Mr.. Tafrs Ohio man
ager. was not a party 20 the opposition
20 Mr.. Hitchcock. il is declared.
Walter Brown, chairman Of the Ohio
Republican State committee and Walter
d. Guilbert auditor Of the State of Ohio.
are said 20 have been mainly instrumental
in making the fight 20 get Mr. Hitch
cocks scalp. According TO what is told
here by politicians who know the story.
there was much alarm among William II.
Taft's friends in Ohio when II became
evident that Mr.. Hitchcock was the
dominating factor in the Taft campaign
for the nomination. and that the Ohio
contingent would have 90 play second
fiddle or perhaps not be permitted 10
play at all with Mr.. Hitchcock in charge
OF the Presidential campaign.
Two or three days ago Brown and Gull
bert, it is being told went 10 Charles p.
TAFT, here In Chicago. and informed him
that there was great dissatisfaction over
the prospect that AIr. Hitchcock would
be made national chairman
Cincinnati Paper for Him.
Just prior 70 that. Charles P Tafts
newspaper had printed a rather definite
statement that Mr. Hitchcock would
manage William II. Tafts campaign. and
It was made known TO Charles 2. Taft
that n the statement was not with
drawn. there would be trouble I'm the
Ohio delegation. In fact Mr.. Taft was
told that the Ohio delegates were so op-
posed 70 Mr.. Hitchcocks selection as
manager OF the national campaign that
they might stampede 10 Roosevelt II as
surances were not given that Hitchcock
would not get first place.
How much Of this story was told by
Charles p. Taft 20 Mr.. Hitchcock is not
disclosed. but. at any rate. Mr.. Taft on
Thursday night suggested 20 Mr. Hitch
cock that It would save considerable en-
barrassment in the campaign if Mr.
Hitchcock would become the Republican
candidates manager in charge Of head
quarters in New York. Mr. Vorys. Il was
explained. would be asked to become the
campaign manager In Chicago. and this
would leave the way clear 10 the selec-
tion Of another man for chairman Of the
national committee.
Mr.. Hitchcock declined 70 accent this
suggestion. although ne did not indicate
chairman. Last night, Just before
Charles P. Taft started for Cincinnati
with the subcommittee Of the national
committee he had talk with Mr. Hitch
cock. In which he is credited with hay
ing said that Mr.. Hitchcock's refusal 10
be manager OF the New York headquar-
ters was very embarrassing and ne hoped
Mr.. Hitchcock would reconsider.
Hitchcock Withdraws.
Thereupon Mr. Hitchcock explained
that he was not a candidate for the ma
tion1l chairmanship and that he had no
selfish desire 70 obtain preferment at the
hands Of Mr. Taft, or words TO that ef-
feet. To show that what he said was
meant in good faith Mr.. Hitchcock de-
clined then and there TO be a candidate
for the national chairmanship
Mr.. Hitchcocks friends are saying to-
night that all along he has not put him
self in the position Of claiming that the
national Craftsmanship was his by right II
he accomplished the nomination Of Mr..
Taft. They declare that he had entered
into the work of having Mr. Taft chosen
the Republican standard bearer with that
object alone in view and with no selfish
expectation of reward. They think he
made a mistake. however, IN taking him
self out Of the contest. not only in view
OF the fact that thirty or more members.
constituting a majority Of the national
committee. had signed a request that he
be made chairman. but that he owed It to
those who worked with him in the ante
convention night TO insist on retaining the
management Of Mr.. Tafts political for
tunes until the November election.
Hitchcock Is Sore.
1t is understood from those intimates
who have talked with Mr.. Hitchcock to-
day that he is feeling very sore over the
knowledge that his actions have disap-
pointed those who stuck by hin, IN the
battle 10 bring about Mr.. Taft's nomina-
tion. They are asserting that in his de-
sire TO do an unselish thing that would
relieve Mr.. Taft Of any embarrassment
in the selection of his campaign man.
ager. he did not think that he was dis
arranging the plans Of his assistants
There is no doubt that he feels very
badly over this phase Of the situatio,
and might have taken a different co,,res
If the matter had been placed before hin,
in that light prior to his withdrawn from
the contest.
II was said by one Of Mr. Hichcock,s
friends that Mr. Hitchcock was plaved
out physically and mentally when the
suggestions which he regarded as author
itative began TO come TO him that Il would
be better for all concerned If he and Mr.
Vorys would accept vice chairmansbips
on the national committee. Since he came
70 Chicago. three weeks ago. Mr. Hitch
cock has averaged only two hours sleep
IN every twenty-four hours. He did not
go 10 bed at all on Thursday night He
Is completely worn out and so extremely
nervous that he cannot sleep