The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-14

IL
arate times. I have spent the last
eight months travelling over Indiana;
nave visited each county in the State,
and some counties many times.
For a time 1t looked as II we might
pull Mr. Taft through. and 1 have
fostered favorable sentiment to him
wherever could, because / am his
personal friend. and it seemed logical
and good party policy that he should
succeed hiniaelf. From tho first. how
ever, found no earnest, enthusiastic
sentiment for him. Tho feeling Of the
precinct workers and the rank and file
seemed to. be one of suffcrance-that
no had the Solid South and would BIO
nominated, and we might as well make
tiis best OF IL
In tho last two months sentiment
has changed to pronounced dissntis-
faction with Mr.. Taft as our leader
"A few days ago 1 sent letter to
our precinct committeemen-there are
more than 3.000--asking for a state
Tent OF political conditions in their
precincts. I have received already
hundreds of replies -Four out of five
of these letters state that there Is
dissatisfaction with Mr.. Taft among
the voters. and this. too, although In
my letters I did not nsk for opinions
on that point. but only for general
conditions. This proves to me what
my personal contact with our voters
ana 1 have interviewed thousands of
them In the last eight months-had
led me to fear that there is not the
slightest chance to carry Indiana for
MIR. Taft"
New CoDtradicts Lee.
In contradiction OF this utterance,
Harry S. New. national committeeman
from Indiana and an active leader in
Republican politics in that State, rde-
clared that Mr.. Lees predictions are
not based on facts but on personal
opinion and prejudice" He said:
Il know of the statement given out
to-day By Mr.. Lee four days before he
Issued IT," he said "This statement is
not grounded on fact, but based en-
tlrcly OH personal opinion. Mr.. Taft
is to-day as strong, II net stronger, In
Indiana than he was in 1905"
Like Mr.. Lee. 1 have carefully can
vassed Indiana to ascertain accurately
what the sentiment 10 there at tho
present time. Tho supposition that
this State will give way to Roosevelt
wave Is not borne out by the canvass
SO far taken by the League OF Repub-
lican Clubs and aimilar organlzatioos"
Regret at Committees Action.
Walter F. Brown, chairman of the
Ohio State Central Committee, issued
"Ohio Republicans who arc Interested
chiefly In party success at the polls
VIII regret that the national commit
tee has seen At to deny to State COM
mittees the option to provide for the
selection OF delegates at large by pri-
maries. Undoubtedly forty two out OF
total of forty eight national delegates
will be elected at district primaries
under the law OF Ohio. as Ii now stands
II the six delegates at large could
also be elected by direct votes, the
state convention to nominate State
ticket could be held after the national
convention, and, In any event, the pres
idential Issue could be eliminated from
the deliberations OF the State conven-
ton"
Reply of Vorys.
Arthur /. Vorys, national commit
teeman from Ohio. met this announce
ment with a statement as follows:
Tho Ohio law provides a direct prl-
mary for olecting district delegates to
the national convention. 1t docs not
provide for electing delegates at large.
and whatever the national committee
might do. no primary for delegates at
large can be held under the law, and
no presidential popularity contest can
be conducted under the law. The call,
recommended by the majority, recog-
ntzes State primary laws and author
ICES the selection OF delegates under
such laws IL the State and district
committees approve them. There Is no
way In which the national committee
could provide for a primary for dele
gates at large or direct nomination of
the President in Ohio. except by nu-
thorizing n primary to be conducted
in addition to the legal primary, I'M
DER control OF the party committee. and
without the safeguards OF the law
do not believe this is desired IL tho
General Assembly OF Ohio should be
called in extra session and provide a
law for electing delegates at large,
such law can be followed. II the State
committee wants to have a popularity
contest for moral effect, an instruction
TO the Ohio delegation, they can pro-
vide for such a party primary. There
is nothing In the national committee
call TO prevent it."
William l. Ward, national commit
teeman from New York, who is dis
sruntled with President Taft on &C.
count of the gubernatorial fight of
Year ago. announced that In hts opinion
Now York would send an uninstruc,ed
delegation to the convention.
Colonel Harry S. New. OF Indiana.
newly elected chairman of the COM
mittees on arrangements Of the Re-
publican National Committee, to-day
gave out n statement answering that
made by Chairman Lee. of the Indiana
Republican State Central Committee,