Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-17
ASKS FOR FAIR FIGHT
Taft Addresses Maryland Re-
publican Editors.
SPEECH IN White HOUSE
Says Roosevelt Electors Have No
Right on Regular Tickets.
DISHONEST IF THEY REMAIN
Declares That Cleavage Between
Boilers and Republicans Should
Be as Clear as Possible.

| Speaking to members OF the Mary
| land Republican Editorial Association
| in the east room OF the White House
| yesterday afternoon, President Taft
denounced the proposition that presi-
Dental electors on the republican bal
lot vot for others than the republican
nominees. He asserted that those who
were not for the republican party were
against it, and should get out Of the
way. The President began his speech
with a brief summary of what the re-
publican party stands for. He said:
Defines Republicanism.
I'VE are republicans That means
that we believe in certain principles;
that we believe in the Constitution of
the United States; that we believe In
! maintaining that Constitution; that we
believe in progress along the lines that
that Constitution indicates. We are
protectionists. and we are in favor of
maintaining the present prosperity by
maintaining the tariff system. which
shall preserve business as it goes on
now. and shall secure as high wages
| as possible to the wage earners and a
reasonable profit to those who invest
their capital. These two propositions
cover good deal of republicanism.
Being party. we are anxious to have
the opinions that our party represents
put into force in the operation of the
government. The only way we can do
that Is by electing a Congress and a
President who will carry them out. Now
that means that we have to be single
party, and not a part of two parties.
don't think we are unfair in asking
that we be given a chance for fair
fight, and in counting those against us
who are not with us. To have a man on
both sides OF the fight when we are on
one side is uncomfortable, especially
when he is behind you.
Before the convention it is all right
that we should differ as to the men best
qualified to represent us republicans
in carrying out the principles of the
party. But after the convention each
voters influence should carry it's proper
and proportionate weight in the election
OF the party's candidate.
Asks Only Fair Fight.
'All we ask is fair fight. A man can
not be in the republican party and in a
third party at the same time. and should
be compelled to make his selection" con-
tinued the President Regularity, or
feeling Of regularity, and respect for the
republican party for what it has done.
what it Is capable of doing. are going to
bring over into the republican party
it Is going to increase that number, in
my judgment. as we approach the cleo
ton.
at is therefore essential that we make
the cleavage as clear as it can be made.
SO that those who are republicans shall
be republicans and those who are with
the boilers shall bear their name and
title and not be republicans and boilers,
because they cannot be, at least they
ought not to be. in all fairness.
Obligations of Electors.
state bearing the emblem of the repub-
Iican party bearing the names of the
candidate Of that party for President or
Vice President at the head Of the ticket,
covering the electors who are going to
vote for those names.
IF there are any men on that list who
are not going to vote for the men at the
head Of that ticket. / don't hesitate to
say that they are dishonest men, in that
are to vote for them an implied promise
that they will vote for the names on the
ticket, when they, in fact. intend to vote
for somebody else. ! think that is just
following the plainest kind of principles
Of ordinary morals.
One Of the editors told the President
that the electors chosen for the repub
lican ticket in Maryland would declare
their intention to support him or a new
state convention would be held to make
new selections. He said he felt sure
Maryland would take long steps in the
right direction.