Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-04
MAY AFFECT TAFT DELEGATES
POINT RAISED BY EX-SENATOR
CHANDLER.
Questions Validity Of the Conven.
tions From Which Colored Re-
pubicans Were Barred.

The right of about 100 Taft delegates TO
sit in the republican national convention
may depend upon the answer which the
members Of the national committee make
to a letter written by former Senator W.
z. Chandler Of New Hampshire. In this
letter which was sent to every member
of the republican national committee to-
day, Senator Chandler raises the question
as to whether the committee will seat
delegates which were selected by conven-
tions, from which cOlored republicans
were excluded.
It is claimed by the opposition that prac-
tically all of the delegates which are in
structed for Taft in the southern states
were selected by lilly white" conven-
tions. Senator Chandler in his letter,
does not specify cases. but asks the COM
mitteemen- to go on record as to what
will be their policy in sea ting delegates.
The text of the Senator's letter follows:
Ex-senator Chand1er's Inquiry.
'In behalf OF parties properly interested
wish to ask you what the republican
national committee when making up the
preliminary roll of the convention Of June
16 ought to do in the case of delegates
elected by convention Il condition of
whose action was that no colored man
should be allowed to be a member of that
convention.
"It seems to mo that. considering the
fifteenth amendment of the Constitution
and the history of the republican party,
such a convention upon it's adoption of the
lily. white rule as its fundamental prin-
cipie, Instantly ceased to be republican
body: SO that its delegates cannot for a
moment be considered as entitled to seats
in ia national republican convention to
nominate President.
TN giving to me and to the public your
opinion on the question submitted it is
not necessary to commit yourself as to
the seating of any delegates who may
appear as claimants against the lily white
delegates But d knowledge on the part
of such delegates and Others of your
views on the question now asked at an
early date before Junes f6 will greaiy j
expedite tho work of your committee and
of the committee on credentials. of -..ne
national convention. 80
-(Signed.) wv. E.. CHANDLER.
New Confers With Dover.
Mr.. Harry s. New, chairman of the re-
publican national committee, is In the
city. and spent the day i'm conference
with Mr.. Elmer Dover. secretary of
the committee. The tive. went over to-
gether; the details Of the Forthcoming
meeting of the subcommittee on arrange
.s.StAAS. f"AA@" VIII meet III NHlCdeo
May Il.
Mr.. New said ii has not vet been de-
termined when the national committee
shall meet to take up the contests from
thetvariOus states May 80 is the last day
Tor the filing of contests and by that time
1t can be determined whether the con-
tests will be sufficient in number to re-
Quire the committee to meet as early as
June l. 1t Is the purpose to have ali the
contests tried before the. full COMMITTEES.
and ample time will be allowed for their
fair determination.
No CHOICE has yet been made of the
temporary chairman of the convention
Senator Beveridge and Senator Dolliver
are being prominently mentioned The
question Will not be determined until the
subcommittee on arrangements meets
May 15.
Removal of Headquarters.
Chairman New and Secretary Dover dis
cussed the details of removing the head
quarters Of the committee from Washing
ton to Chicago. The Chicago Headquarters
will be opened next Monday. Chairman
New himself will be In charge. and ex-
poets to remain in Chicago until after the
national convention shall have finished Its
labors.
Chairman News visit to Washington at
this time Is Of no political Significance. he
said. He came here merely to consult
members Of the committee regarding the
work to- be done at Chicago preliminary
to the convention.
Chairman New was a guest of Presi-
dent Roosevelt at luncheon today. He will
remain here until tomorrow afternoon.
when he win start for Indianapolis. From
Indianapolis ne win go to Chicago next
Saturday or Sunday. Secretary Dover
also will gofto Chicago the latter part OF