The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-08-23

Beverly, Mass, Aug. 20. 1910
My Dear Mr.. Griscom AS you
know from your telephone conversa-
tion with my Office / have steadily
refused to admit the propriety or
necessity of the presidents replying
TO newspaper statements, which are
not based on any act or authorized
word OF his and have no sponsor 1
am entirely willing. however, TO reply
categorically to your telegram OF
August 10, which has just arrived and
Is as follows
am informed and believe that
several mombers Of the New York
republican state committee who voted
for Vice President Sherman over eX-
President Roosevelt a5 nominee for
temporary chairman of the state con-
Ycntion were Influenced by state.
mcnts that the Vice presidents name
was presented to defeat Colonel
Roosevelt In accordance with your
wish. member Of the state COM
mlttec declared to me before the
meeting that Mr. Sherman's candid
acy had been arranged with you by
telephone the previous day. Efforts
have been made to create an impress
sion that you favor n particular can
dtdOtc for election as state chairman
| want YOU 10 know that the Injection
OF the name OF a high member OF
your administration into factioual
conflict has produced a most complI-
Gated situation and the absence OF
any authoritative information as 10
your attitude Is seriously misleading
many Republicans and impairing
movement for a progressive party
leadership and clean government in
this state
You know you desire us to haye
fair field and hope this may he
made clear TO the public
The suggestion that have ever
expressed a wish TO defeat Mr. Roos-
evelt for temporary chairmanship of
the convention or have ever taken
the slightest step TO do so. is wholly
untrue and / never heard MT Sher-
mans name suggested as temporary
chairman OF the state convention un-
Ill | saw in the newspapers OF Aug
ust 16 that he had been selected at
the meeting OF the committee. When
you called at my house Saturday
evening August 13. you told me that
Mr. Roosevelt intended to 20 10 the
convention as delegate and you
suggested Incidentally his being
made temporary chairman sugges-
tion in which / scqulesced
1T did not occur to me that any
one would oppose It. This was tho
first time the subject Of the temper
ary chalrmanship was mentioned 20
me by anyone. You did not ask me
To take any action whatever with re-
spect to It. After a full discussion of
the New York state situation. 7
drafted. In your presence. the follow
ing telegram and sent It to Mr., Sher-
man:
Beverly, Mass, Aug IA. 1910
Hon. James s Sherman. Vice Presi-
dent Utica, ~ Y:
"'Please say to Ward and Wood
run that | have had a long conference
with Grlscom. He confirmed my
Judgment already expressed to you
that the whole situation In New York
may be saved without humiliation
70 any one and that with victory for
the party by a full conference with
Mr. Roosevelt and reasonable con
cessions with reference 10 platform
and candidates.
""The thing OF all others that
ought 10 be avoided is controversy
IN the convention. | am told by Mr..
GrIscom that such conference with
Mr. Roosevelt might conveniently be
held and would be welcomed by him
before the state committee meets
on Tuesday. Hope YOU will be able
10 report satisfactorily solution when
YOU come on Wednesday.
(SIgned) WILLIAM II TAFT
"On the afternoon Of Monday, Aug
Cst Is, Mr.. Sherman telephoned me
from New York. and for the first
time, apprised me OF the fact that
there was a proposal to oppose Mr
Roosevelt for the temporary chair
manship and that with Mr Roots
name No other name than Mr..
Roots was mentioned l protested
against the idea of a contest on such
matter, purposely declined TO bo
drawn into a fight against Mr. Roose-
yelt and again renewed my urgent
advice that there be prompt and full
personal conference with Mr.. Roose-
welt before the committee meeting
with view to securing harmony and
victory for the party.
"Mr. Sherman called upon me hero
On the 18th inst to meet an engage
ment of weeks standing made with
him and Mr.. Loudensloger to discuss
tine congressional campaign text"
book. Mr. Loudenslager was pre-
vented from coming by an Illness. In
the conference with Mr. Sherman.
told him that ] deplored the result
of the meeting of the New York state
committee because unless the break
was repaired, II meant division be-
tween New York Republicans and
probable defeat.
Upon leaving me Mr. Sherman
agreed to go into a conference with
Nh. Roosevelt, provided he were In
vited 10 do so. with view TO ad-
nsting the situation If possible even
at that late date. Mr. Nicholas Long
worth was present and said he would
send telegram TO bring about con-
ference. What the result has been
do not know.
Finally. in your telegram received
this morning, ypu state that efforts
haye been made 60 create the impress
sion that | favor a particular candi-
dotc for election as state chairman
This Is absolutely untrue nave
expressed no opinion on the subject
since an effort was made last winter
by the New York congressional. dele.
CATION To further MIR. WoodrunS@re7 e
tirement which failed.