The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-27
State Committee Reaffirns Action In Selecting Sher-
 man to Preside
SENSATION IS SPRUNG
 BY SHERMAN IN LETTER
Vice President Asks Investigation of Rumors That He Obtained His Advantage By TricI<ery
 and Deceit

Saratoga, N Y, September 26.-Theo- dore Roosevelt suffered defeat again to- night at the hands of the old guard oi the republican party in this state. In the first skirmish on the eve of the state convention which opens tomorrow, the state committee, at special meeting ps a vote of 22 to 15, reaffirmed It's action of August Is last, in selecting Vice Pres ident Sherman over Colonel Roosevelt as temporary chairman of the convention The vote at the August meeting was l. to 20 After that meeting several mem bers of the committee charged that VII liam l.. Ward of Westchester county, a national committeeman, had told them that President Taft favored Vice Presi- dent sherman, thus influencing theiI vote.
 A few days later President Taft sent his now famous letter to Lloyd c. Gris- com, New York county chairman. stat ing that he had indicated no choice for temporary chairman, and that he had urged the factions to get together and select a candidate acceptable to both sides.
 In order to clear up this situation, the old guard forced matters tonight, and took action after Vice President Sher- man had created a sensation as pre- viously sent.
 At times the arguments waxed so bit ter that to save what appeared to threaten an unfortunate situation, Rep resentative Fassett moved that the whole matter be laid on the table. But this was voted down, the old guard leaders declaring 1t to be an attempt to gag them and prevent those members who voted for Vice President sherman from explaining their votes.
 The committee had scarcely gone into session when Chairman Woodruff an shounced that he had a letter from Vice President Sherman. It follows
 sherman's Letter
 ssTo the Members of the Republican State Committee, Hon. T. L. Woodruff chair man:
 My Dear Governor woodruff-As you know. had no ambition to preside over the state convention to convene tomor- row. As you also know, I was asked to preside, not alone because was part or the Taft administration, but 1t was known that in response to the Presi- dents request had spoken of the ad- ministration and for him on several oc- casions in different sections of the coun- try: because 1t was known had been a staunch supporter of the President dur ing his entire term of office; because l was known to be an especially ardent supporter and adherent of the basic prin- ciples of the party.
 My name was presented to the state committee in accordance with the GUS tom in state and nation. solicited no mans support. I consented to act as a service to my party not to gratify a personal ambition. In that respect I had none.
 .'The charge has since been made in some quarters that my selection was accomplished in the state com nittee by means of deception and mis- representation. I do not believe it. So far as I am personally concerned know the statement to be absolutely unfounded. Even to do the party service am unwilling to serve in the face of such a charge If well founded I therefore ask that at the committee meeting tonight the charge so pub licly made, with equal directness and publicity, be investigated that the ma jority of the state committee which originally favored my selection may each declare whether or not his pref erence was based upon any statement
  tion or deception, for If such be the fact I ask that my name be not pre- sented to the convention for its tenn Dorary presiding officer tomorrow.
 with personal regard, I am. very sincerely yours,
 JAMES S. SHERMAN"
 Barnes to the Front
 The K reading brought William D. Tv. nf of a old guard to his feet with the remark that he had read the statement at- tributed to Chairman Griscom of the New Your county committee to the effect that MT. Sherman's selection at the meeting of the committee on Au- gust 16 had been procured through trickery and fraud. Then turning to the New York members MT. Barnes said
 T suggest that If MT. Griscom has any information warranting his charges against the 20 members of the state committee who voted for MT Sherman that he make it known here and now"
 Herbert Parsons. former chairman of the New York county committee, who was in the meeting as a proxy and bore the brunt of the subsequent de- bate Tor the progresstves, met MT Barnes question with the suggestion that the inquiry take in all the mem bers of the committee and not Be con fined to those who voted for MT. Sher- man in order to determine just what information or transformation was given to influence their votes.
 Barnes responded that Parsons re- marks were not germane to the dues- tlon, and pointing his finger at Griscom, demanded to know the basis he had for the information given by him to the press.
 GriscOm's Reply
 'HThe name of MT. Sherman was not known to any member of the New York delegation as prospective chairman of the committee in advance of the meeting,' ' said MT. Griscom, speaking with empha- sis.
 ''In my case was not informed of the intention to elect him until within SC minutes of the beginning of the meeting I informed MT. Wadsworth that u did not think 1t wise to take such action. It had been stated in the papers that ex- President Roosevelt WRs gping to the oeaveptiou as . delQgate md believe