New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-02
ROOSEVELT TO URGE BAY !
STATE DELEGATES AGAIN
Will Do Everything Possible, He
Says, to See That Request to
Vote for Taft Is Needed.
SHREWD POLITICS. SAY SOME
Colonel, They Declare, Realizes
That He Cannot Profit with
Good Grace from the
Occurrence.

oyster Bay. Long Island. May -
When told tonight that the eight dele
gates at large who were elected by
chance for him in Massachusetts yester-
day had refused to obey his instructions
10 align themselves for President Taft
Colonel Roosevelt said: II meant every
word said to them. and shall do every
thing possible TO see that my request is
needed"
The colonel summoned the newspaper
men TO Sycamore Hill shortly after noon
TO give them & hurrledly prepared state
ment announcing that he had asked his
eight Massachusetts, delegates at-large
to vote for President Taft He explained
his action on the ground that the ma
Jority of voters in the state had eX-
pressed a preference for Mr.. Taft as
their Presidential candidate. His mes
sage follows
In Massachusetts, the ballot contained the
names of eight candidates for delegatc-at-
large. with. printed under each the words.
Pledged TO vote for Theodore Roosevelt
ana also contained a column In which the
voter was 10 express his preference as 10
whether | or Mr.. Taft should be nominated
as President. II would seem unlikely that
majority of the voters would both vote
for the delegates pledged Ia me and at the
same time express a preference for MI.
Taft. but apparently this is what has nap
pentd.
Such being the case, and on the assump-
ton that The preferential vote Is for Mr..
Taft. hereby announce that shall expect
these dclcgates-at-large to disregard the
pledge to support me, and support Mr.. TAR
and if any one Of them hesitates SO TO 90
Il all fYrNNr % il
him with all the emphasis and insistence IN
my power to take the course indicated ana
support Mr.. Taft In the convention.
In this fight ! am standing for certain
great principles which | regard as vital TO
the present and future welfare Of this ma
ton. My success is OF value only as an
incident to securing the triumph or these
principles. Foremost among these princl-
pies IL the right of the people TO RUE ana
the duty Of their representatives. really
to represent them. in nominating conven-
tons no less than in executive or legislative
Offices If the majority of the rank anu
file of the Republican party do not wish
me nominated then most certainly 40
not wish TO be nominated
Ny aim has been 10 get the genuine eX-
preston of their genuine desire; precisely
as If nominated | should desire to get al
the polls the genuine expression OF the
majority of the whole people: because my
only purpose in being elected President
would be to put into effect certain prinei-
pies and policies in which | ardently be.
into effect unless ! had behind me the
hearty support of the majority ol our
citizens.
All sorts Of constructions were placed
on this action of Colonel Roosevelt by
politicians Many regarded it as the
best example Of the ex-Presdent's polit-
ical acumen In view of his repeated
assertions that the Taft delegates in
New York. Indiana. Kentucky and Mich
igan were unfairly elected, the coloners
critics said he was drawing attention TO
himself rs the great apostle OF the
square deal" For the colonel TO pocket
his eight Bay state delegates. 1t was
said. would be equivalent TO placing him
self in the same category as he placed
his opponents in the states where he has
charged crooked dealing.
Others regarded the step as direct
sign that Colonel Roosevelt was casting
his bread on the waters" They figured
that he confidently expected his example
would return him twofold In the good
will and estimation Of the states in
which primaries were yet to be held.