The Washington herald., 1912-05-08
G. 0. ?. LEADERS
PASS Lib DIRECT
oorsinn.d from Pas. ons-

be held On Nav p. Of vital Importance
70 both candidatss
The present indignation OF the Taft and
Roosevelt managers over the reported
use OF money IN the Maryland election
has been received with smiles by poiitf-
clans Of both parties who have known
the history Of Maryland elections for a
good many years, There Is no doubt
among Republicans here that the negroes
of Maryland defeated Taft. and there Is
no denying the fact that before the pri-
maries evidences were plentiful that con-
siderable money was being thrown into
the State for campaign purposes. Un-
biased political observers who Travelled
through the State before the primaries
realized this condition.
AS viewed here. the Maryland result Is
likely to bring about another freakish d.
rect primary situation. While Roosevelt
win control the Presidential preference
expression IN the Maryland State conven-
tion. ss TO 50. the Taft people will prob
ably be in actual control Of the conven-
ton and win elect their delegates to Chi
cago.
Complications Increase.
These Taft delegates, under the
Maryland law. however, will be obliged
to vote for Roosevelt, but only until
they are satisfied, each according to his
conscience. that there is no chance OF
his being nominated. While the Taft
delegates will. therefore. be Obliged to
cast their ballot for Roosevelt IN Chi
eago, the President probably win have
the support of Mary1and's sixteen on
questions Affecting the preliminary or
ganization OF the Chicago convention.
Inssmueh as this preliminary organ
ization is likely to be vital In the mat
ter OF settling contests and other i'm
portant details, the advantage gained
by Taft through this situation is very
considerable.
This peculiar situation is made pos
sible through the feature Of the Mary
land law which makes each county or
Legislative district supreme In deter
mining the Presidential preference for
Its delegates. The Taft delegates
elected in districts where Roosevelt got
the preference are therefore bound un-
der the law TO vote for Roosevelt in
structions in the State convention, but
they win be able to unite with the
other Taft delegates to the convention
in sending men favorable TO the Presi-
dent to Chicago.
May. Get Delegates.
There was talk yesterday among Taft
supporters Of the possibility Of the Pres
ident obtaining four of Maryland's six
teen delegates to the Chicago conven-
ton. The Presidents friends pointed to
a clause In the ofiicial call for the Re-
publican national convention which says
In regard TO the election Of district dele
gates that in no State shall an cleo
tion be so held as to prevent the dele
gates from any Congressional district,
and their Rlternates. being selected by
the Republican electors Of that district"
The President, II was pointed out. car
ried the First and Fifth Congressional
in Maryland. but under the
Maryland system the Taft delegates will
be obliged TO vote for Roosevelt. and
the electors. as provided In the call.
will not be able to elect their delegates
to the national convention.
The next important Presidential pref
erence primary win be that In Cali
fornla, on May 4 President Taft now
has 4es votes Instructed or pledged for
him. or "a within the SO necessary 70
nominate Roosevelt lsas -