The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-08-18
Won't Preside Over n. Y.
Rep. Convention.
ROOSEVELT MAKES STATEMENT
State Committee Refuses to Select
Him as Temporary Chairman by
Vote of 20 to l5-May Garry
Contest to Convention.

New York. Aug. 17-Theodore
Roosevelt matched strength with the
"Old Guard" OF the Republican party
In New York state and met decisive
defeat
The Republican state committee In
session here. by vote OF 20 to Is
refused to recommend him for tenn
porary chairman of the state conven
ton. which meets at Saratoga on
Sept q. Instead. Vice President
James s. Sherman was selected
This is Colonel Roosevelts second
defeat at the hands Of the "Old
Guard" the first having been the leg
islature's refusal to pass the Cobb
direct primary bill. although Mr.
Roosevelt especially Endorsed 1t.
With this setback. plans for har
mony within the party in the state
received a severe setback. and as soon
as Colonel Roosevelt heard the news
he issued a statement in which he en-
rolled himself as a progressive, so far
as the New York state situation goes
1t was his most pointed political
statement since his return. and those
who saw him were convinced that he
had determined to begin an open tight
on the "Old Guard" The statement
follows:
ITO the various persons who asked
me whether would accept the posi-
ton of temporary chairman Of the
state convention. | said that | would
do so only If they were sure. after
knowing my attitude. that they de
sired me. because my speech would
be OF such a character that II might
help II the convention nominated the
right kind of a man. on a clear-cut.
progressive platform. but that 1t
would hurt II neither the right kind
of a man were nominated nor the
right kind Of a platform adopted
viii Carry Fight to Convention.
Although repudiated. II does not
necessarily mean that Colonel Roose-
veil will not be temporary chairman.
after all. The convention delegates
themselves will decide who is to open
the meeting and deliver the keynote
speech" and the state committees
recommendation OF Mr.. Sherman for
the place served notice on the ex-
president and his supporters that the
"Old Gaard" would give him a fight
to the end
In the interval between now and
Sept. q. IL is expected that the strug-
gle between the organization and the
Roosevelt Hughes forces will be car
ried into every corner Of the state.
and that the chief issue will be at the
primaries for the election OF Roose-
welt or anti Roosevelt delegates to the
convention.
Whether Mr.. Sherman lent his up
port TO the movement which resulted
in Colonel Roosevelt's defeat has not
been established definitely. William
L. Ward. Of Westchester. national
committeeman. who was one OF the
leaders in the anti-Roosevelt combine,
is quoted as having said that Mr..
Sherman knew all about the plans to
make him, and not Colonel Roosevelt,
temporary chairman.
Others who took part in the meet
ing were Of the opinion that Mr.. Sher-
man knew nothing Of 1t.
SO far as Colonel Roosevelt is CON
cerned. It has been known for some
time that he has been agreeably In
clined to the plan to make him tenn
porary chairman. as is shown by his
statement He said. however. that
he had not understood that his name
was to be brought up at the meeting.
Lloyd c. Griscom. chairman Of the
New York Republican county commit
tee, who presented the colonel's name,
said:
81 do not know whether the action
taken by the committee will have any
effect on Mr.. Roosevelt's attitude dur
ing the state campaign Mr.. Roose-
welt is to be a delegate to the state
convention. 1t seems to me that. as
the only living ex-president of the
United States. the party In his state
owes him at least the temporary
Craftsmanship.
"Mr. Taft. so far as know. did not
anticipate that Colonel Roosevelts
name would be presented to the COM
mlttee. If he had known he would
have prevented the action that was
taken. The selection of Vice Presi-
dent Sherman cannot be construed as
an Endorsement of the Taft admins
tration, which needed no such indorse-
ment."