Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-23


Influenced by statements that the Vice
Presidents neme was presented to de-
feat Colonel Roosevelt in accordance
with your wish A member of the state
committee declared to me before the
meeting that Mr.. Sherman's candidacy
had been arranged with you by tele-
phone the previous day. Efforts nave
been made to create an impression that
you favor a particular candidate for
election as state chairman. want you
TO know that the injection OF the name
/ of a high member of your administra-
ton into a fractional conflict has pro-
duccd a most complicated situation,
and the absence of any authoritative
information as to your attitude Is Sc
rioussy misleading many Republicans
and imparing movement for pro-
gressive party leadership and govern
ment in this state.
~ know you desire US to have a
fair field, and hope that this may be
made clear to the public
"The suggestion that l have ever ex-
pressed wish to defeat Mr.. Roose-
Welt for the temporary Craftsmanship OF
the convention or have ever taken the
slightest step to do so is wholly un-
true. never heard Mr.. Sherman's
name suggested as temporary chair
man of the state convention. until
saw in the newspapers of Aug. 16 that
he had been selected at the meeting
OF the committee, when you called at
my house Saturday evening. Aug. l3,
you told me that Mr.. Roosevelt intend
ed to go to the convention as a dele
gate and you suggested incidentally his
being made temporary chairman-a
suggestion in which 1 acquiesced. 1t
did not occur to me that any one would
oppose it. This was the first time the
subject Of the temporary craftsmanship
was mentioned to me by anyone. You
did not ask me to take any action
whatever with respect to it. After a
full discussion of the New York state
situation, l drafted in your presence
the following telegram and sent it to
Mr.. Sherman:
Beverly, Mass, Aug. IA. 1910.
Honorable James S. Sherman.
Vice President. Utica, N. Y.
PLEASE say to Ward and Woodruff
that have had a long conference with
Griscom. He confirms my judgment al
ready expressed to you that the whole
situation in New York may be saved
without humiliation to any one and
with victory for the party by full
conference with Mr.. Roosevelt and rea-
sonable concessions with reference to
platform and candidates.
1.-The thing of all others that ought
! to be avoided is a controversy in the
convention. I am told by Mr.. Griscom
| that such conference with Mr.. Roose-
| welt might conveniently be had and
| would be welcomed by him before the
| state committee meets on Tuesday.
Hope you will be able to report salts
| factory solution when you come on
Wednesday.
WILLIAM H. TAFT
ON the afternoon of Monday, Aug
Is, Mr.. Sherman telephoned me from
New York. and for the first time APP
prised me of the fact that there was
a proposal to oppose Mr. Roosevelt for
| the temporary Craftsmanship, and that
| with Mr.. Roots name. No other name
| than Mr.. Roots was mentioned. l pro-
| tested against the idea of a contest on
! such matter. peremptorily declined
to be drawn into a fight against Mr..
Roosevelt; and l again renewed my
urgent advice that there be prompt and
full personal conference with Mr..
| Roosevelt before the committee meet
! ing. with a view to securing harmony
and victory for the party.
Mr. Sherman called upon me here
on the 18th inst to meet an engage
ment of a weeks standing made with
him and Mr.. Loudenslager to discuss
the congressional campaign text book.
Mr.. Loudenslager was prevented from
, coming by an illness. During the con-
ference with Mr.. Sherman l told him
that l deplored the result of the meet
ing of the New York state committee.
because, unless the break were repair
ed it meant division between New
York Republicans and probably de-
feat. Upon leaving me, Mr.. Sherman
agreed to go into a conference with
Mr.. Roosevelt, provided he were invit-
ed to do SO. with a view to adjusting
the situation if possible, even at that
late date. Mr.. Nicholas Longworth
was present and said he would send
telegram to bring about a conference.
What the result has been do not
know.
Finally in your telegram received
this morning. you state that efforts
have been made to create the impress
sion that favor a particular candidate
for election as state chairman. This
is absolutely untrue. / expressed no
opinion on the subject since an effort
was made last winter by the Congress
sional delegation to secure Mr.. Wood
ruff's retirement, which failed.
Il am very sorry to observe the col
umns of unfounded stories In the news
papers concerning my attitude in respect
to the New York situation. You know,
however. as well as other New York
leaders. that whenever my advice or as
sistance in reaching satisfactory adjust
ment of the difficulties arising has been
sought. l have urged the necessity for
the fullest conference with Mr.. Roose-
Welt by the members Of the organization,
and. with due difference to homes. differ
ences of opinion, have expressed the view
which l still entertain. that the solution
of the direct primary issue can be found
in resolutions similar to the Cobb bill as
amended in accord with the memorial
signed by Seth Low, Mr. Joseph Choate,
and other prominent Republicans of New
York City.
Sincerely yours,
WILLIAM H. TAFT"