Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-27
% TO IS FOR SHERMAN.

Saratoga, N. Y, Sept. 26.-By vote
of % to Is, the Republican state COM
mittee at special meeting tonight re-
affirmed its selection of Vice President
sherman over Theodore Roosevelt as
temporary chairman of the state con-
vention, which will convene tomorrow.
The vote was the result of a letter
from Vice President Sherman, read at
the meeting of the state committee to-
night by Chairman Woodruff asking
for an investigation by the committee
of the charge that his selection for
temporary chairman of the state con-
vention was brought about through
| trickery and saying that if such charge
We're substantiated, he would not care
to serve
After heated argument lasting nearly
two hours, in which the leaders of both
the Old Guard and the Progressives gave
a sharp expression of their convictions,
the committee by vote of % to Is re-
solved THAT Mr. Sherman be informed
that his selection was made without mis-
representation, as an answer to his let
ter"
At times the arguments waXed SO bitter
that to save what appeared to threaten
| an unfortunate situation Representative
]. Sloat Fassett moved that the whole
| matter be laid on the table. But this was
voted down. The Old Guard leaders in
sisted that it was an attempt to gag
| them and prevent those members who
voted for Vice President Sherman from
explaining their votes.
The committee had hardly gone into
session when Chairman Woodruff an
nounced that he had letter from Vice
President Sherman which he desired to
read.
The letter brought William Barnes Jr.,
I of Albany, leader of the Old Guard, to his
feet with the remark that he had read the
statement attributed to Chairman Girls
com of the New York county committee
| to the effect that Mr.. Sherman's selection
at the meeting Of the committee on Sept
| 16 had been brought about by trickery
and fraud Then, turning to the New
York members sitting on the opposite side
of the hall, Barnes said:
II suggest that if Mr.. Griscom has any
information warranting his charges
against the 20 members of the state COM
| mittee who voted for Mr. Sherman that
| Herbert Parsons, former chairman of
| the New York county committee, met Mr.
Barnes question with the suggestion that
| the inquiry take in all of the members
of the committee and it be not confined
| to those who voted for Mr.. Sherman, in
order to determine just what information
or misinformation was given to influence
their votes.
Barnes responded that Parsonss re-
marks were not germaine to the question
| and, pointing at Griscom, demanded to
know what basis he had for the informa-
ton given by him to the press.
1.-The name of Mr.. Sherman was not
| known to any member of the New York
delegation as prospective chairman of the
| convention in advance of the meeting,
| replied Grscom with emphasis. I'm my
| case, l was not Informed of the intention
| to elect him until within 50 minutes of
| the beginning of the meeting. l Informed
| Mr.. Wadsworth that / thought the pro-
posed action unfair and that If Mr.. Sher-
mans name were presented to the COM
mittee without consultation among any
large number of members I would OPP
pose it and put up the name of Col
Roosevelt 1 also told Mr.. Ward (nation-
al committeeman the same thing I I'M
| derstood from Mr.. Ward that President
Taft approved of Mr.. Sherman's selec-
ton, which I thought strange. inasmuch
as President Taft had told me but few
idays be fore that he favored consultation
with Col Roosevelt in all matters per-
tanning to the Republican party in New
York state.
| II have stated that the meeting was
| surrounded with deceit, and it certain
| ly was so far as l was concerned
| each member of this committee has
a right to act according to the dictates
| of his own conscience declared Mr..
Barnes, hotly. without consulting the
President of the United States or 9TH
err members of this committee"
This remark caused applause from
the Old Guard and their supporters,
the meeting being an open one and at
tended by several hundred delegates
| and spectators besides the committee
men.
Several New York county committee
| men backed up Mr.. Griscom in his as
| sertion that National Committeeman
| Ward had indicated that President
| Taft favored Mr.. Sherman for the
| craftsmanship.
| Committeeman Harry Mack of New
York said:
Il sat beside Mr. Ward and asked
him if Mr.. Taft was for Mr.. Sherman
| for temporary chairman and he re-
Piled He certainly is"
| Chairman Woodruff interrupted to
say there must have been some general
Misunderstanding for nothing had been
| said to indicate that the President was
consulted. Mr.. Ward was then asked by
a committeeman to explain.
MY recollection he said. twas that
! the President was consulted the day
before which was true