The Washington herald., 1910-08-23

mony at the meeting.
When the news Of the result Of the
meeting reached the President, he was
told that Col. Roosevelt WIS inclined y
blame him for what occurred, and -
Taft was advised by some of his closest
friends to come out with a statement
showing that so far from doing any
thing which might split the Republics
party in this State. he had, on the con-
trary, advised that nothing should be
done which would tend to show that
there was even a semblance Of a posi-
\ bility OF a break between himself and
the former President
Reluctant 90 Take Part.
Mr.. Taft at that time refused to follow
the advice. He told the friends who
counseled him 70 make his position
clear that to do so would put him in the
] light Of taking an active interest in the
party affairs Of this State. He explained
TO them that, while. of course he was
interested In the Republican situation in
New York State, he thought Il would be
! improper for him TO make any statement
along the line suggested by his friends
| for the reason that IL would be going
against the policy he had laid out for
himself Of not interfering in any way
with any local or State fights.
Until about Friday or Saturday last
Mr. Taft intended to stick 10 this policy,
but in response TO suggestions made to
/ him that if the idea should be allowed
10 continue that he was even indirectly
| responsible for the rejection Of Col
! Roosevelt as temporary chairman Of the
State convention the result would be that
the Republican party would be in an even
worse condition when the campaign
opened than it is now.
Forced 90 Write Letter.
It was then that Mr.. Taft consented to
make II clear that he had never raised
So much as a finger o>defeat Col Roose-
welt for the temporary Craftsmanship Of
the convention: that he had always been
I opposed 70 any suggestion Of a contest
at the meeting Of the State committee
against Mr.. Roosevelt: that he had made
this plain TO Mr.. Sherman that Mr.
Sherman. in the presence OF Representa-
tive Nicholas Longworth, had promised
him nothing that would be done with re-
/
Roosevelt until in the interest Of har-
mony Mr.. Roosevelt had been consulted.
Mr.. Taft. in his letter to Mr.. Girls
com, states that 1Ir. Sherman agreed to
this stipulation. but, according to Mr..
Roosevelt and Mr.. Griscom, the promise
was never carried out. The Woodruff
Barnes element Of the Republican state
committee has insinuated that Mr.. TAFT
IS not in favor OF the direct primary
bill
Mr.. Taft IN his letter says that this is
not true Of his attitude and that, in fact,
he is IN favor OF such a direct primary
measure as that provided for in the Cobb
bill
The letter TO Mr.. Grlscom is OF es-
pecial interest for the reason that Mr.
tart has changed his mind as 70 ex-
pressing his opinion on the situation in
this State and OF answering the report that
he is no longer in sympathy with Col
ROosevelt's policies And further be-
cause Of the fact that in sending this
letter 10 Mr.. Griscom it was with the
understanding that Il should be made
public. too.
II the regulars persist in their deter
mination 20 endeavor 20 have Mr.. Sher-
man elected as temporary chairman OF
the State convention they will undoubt-
edly have q bigger fight on their hands
than they expect II was said to-day by
Mr.. Griscom that in many of the up
State counties the primaries will show
I ,e 81 !
with the sherman resolution does not
indicate the feelings Of the majority OF
the voters Of these districts.
It has been figured out at the Republic
can county headquarters that with the
possible exception Of William Barnes. OF
Albany. not one Of the leaders who voted
against Roosevelt can vote his delegates
as a unit in the convention. Col. Roose-
welt may go TO the convention as a dele
gate. and if so may make a fight from
, the floor for the platform TO be advocated
BY the progressive element Of the party.
Although for a few days last week Mr.
Roosevelt had not made up his mind, fol-
lowing the vote at the State committee
meeting. it can be asserted that in view
Of Mr. Taft's explanation OF his attitude.
Col Roosevelt will not only fight for the
progressive platform. but will allow him
self to be named as a candidate against
Mr.. sherman for temporary chairman Of
the convention. Mr. Roosevelt's friends
are confident that he will be elected.
They have figured It out that even II
the regulars can control all the votes they
claim they would not have majority
Of more than about fifty, and they said
to-day that as several OF the State com
mitteemen who voted for Mr.. Sherman
are Federal oficeholders. and as they
voted as they did under the misinforma-
/ ton given 70 them. that Mr. Taft desired
the selection OF Mr.. Sherman, il could
be expected. in view OF the statement
issued to-day by Mr. Taft that they
, would change their votes at the conven-
ton
Expect to Control.
That Mr.. Grlscom has no doubt Of the
ability Of the progressive wing of the
party TO control the convention is shown
in this statement which he issued to-day
at the same time that he gave out the
Taft letter:
The methods used to accomplish the
defeat Of Mr.. Roosevelt when his name
was before the State committee are now
! clear to the public and may be judged
by the public
Those personally acquainted with Mr.
] Taft's views were. Of course. never "a
doubt that his advice had been ignored,
j and that his attitude was misrepresented
i in order that those who misrepresented
him might appear as the defenders Of his
] administration.
Il have not the slightest doubt that the