New-York tribune., 1910-08-23
REpTDIATED.


The chuCkiing of MesSrs- Barnes and
Woodruff over the clever tactics by
which they defeated Colonel Roosevelt
for temporary chairman of the Repub-
lican convention WIS premature. The
trick which they played has reacted
upon the ''old guard" in crushing way.
They sought 10 create the impression
that they had the sympathy and support
OF President Taft and the national ad-
ministration. Just as a few months ago
they spread the story that Colonel
Roosevelt was with them in their opposi-
ton TO Governor Hughes. and they have
drawn from President Taft most en-
phatic repudiation-
Mr. Taft's letter to Mr.. GriScom.
which will do a world of good to the
Republican cause in this state. leaves no
doubt where his sympathieS lie. He is
plainly indignant at the way the ''old
guard has sought TO shelter itself be-
hind his name in this state and To create
a false impression of the administra-
tion's attitude His letter rehearseS the
incidents and consultations that pre-
ceded and succeeded the last meeting of
the state committee. so far as he had
any part in them. He approved Mr. Girls
CONS suggestion of Colonel Roosevelt
as temporary chairman OF the state
convention. He sent q telegram 10 Vice
President Sherman suggesting <co-opera-
ton with Colonel Roosevelt. The idea
that Colonel Roosevelt would meet with
oppositi0n did not even occur TO him. OF
the opposition he learned from Vice
President Sherman on the day before
the meeting Of the state committee, and
lie protested against it, declining to be
drawn into the fight against the eX-
President Later. when he saw Mr..
Sherman at Beverly he deplored what
lad been done and approved a plan by
which Mr.. Sherman was TO meet Colonel
Roosevelt AMI strive 10 adjust the diff
ferences.
And if this is not a sufficiently COM
plete Reputation Of Messrs. Barnes,
Woodruff and their allies, Mr. Taft
makes known his favorable regard for
direct primaries. as provided for in the
defeated Cobb bill. This Will be an es-
pecially bitter blow for the old guard
for ii confesses to be interested in moth
ing but preventing the adoption of direct
primaries in this state and because 1t
has sought all along Ia have the Pres-
dents silence on this subject construed
aS opposition TO the reform. Further
more. Mr.. Taft puts an end TO the story
that he was favorable 10 the retention Of
Mr. Woodruff as state chairman by deny
ing that be favored any particular can
didate With regard 10 this matter he
makes an Interesting statement: 4 have
expressed no opinion on the subject
since an effort was made last winter
by the New York Congressional delega-
"tion to secure Mr.. Woodruffs retire
'ment." Any one who remembers what
happened at that time can guess what
opinion he then expressed.
Mr. Taft could not have taken more
appropriate or more popular action than
be has taken in thus repudiatinC those
who have sought to misrepreSeDt him.
His letter TO Mr.. Griscom will make him
2 host of friends everywhere It will,
moreover. clarity the situation. putting
an end 10 the ugly rumors and falsifi-
cations. As 10 its effect upon the spe-
cific problem Of the organization of the
Republican State Convention. we hope
Vice. President Sherman viii see ROW
that he should do what The Tribune on
Saturday said he ought to d0-decline 10
serve il a post TO which he was chosen
by a fractional trick. In any case public
knowledge Of Mr. Taft's attitude should
make it easy for the opponents of the
old guard 10 take the control Of the
state convention from its grasp. Men
who have been guilty Of the disgraceful
political trick which the Barnes-Wads
uor-th-Woodruf group has been guilty
Of and who have exhibited the con
temptuous disregard for the interests of
the party which that group has exhibited
must be sent TO the rear.