Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-21
THE EAST.
NAMES VOTE DIVIDED.

Portland Maine, March 1S-Conflicting
statements and counter claims have so
confused the Taft Roosevelt fight in this
state as to make an accurate forecast of
the result difficult.
In the rural sections, especially in
Aroostook county, the great potato
growing region. the feeling against
The President on account OF his recip-
rocity policy is said TO be very strong.
although the Taft supporters say that
this has been exaggerated The Taft
sentiment seems to predominant in
the cities, especially In Portland,
where the attempt to organize the
Roosevelt supporters has not been
very successful. 1t Is conceded that
the first district will elect Taft dele
gates.
The Roosevelt boomers are those
who supported Col. Frederick Hale for
the republican nomination for Con-
gress against Congressman Kinds, and
this fractional quarrel has overshadow-
al the main issue and enlisted the
1Iinds support for the President
On the whole. the chances rather
favor solid Taft delegation from the
state. but the Roosevelt sentiment Ia
strong and may sweep the field out
side this district.
The sixty-odd delegates to the State
convention already chosen are nearly
equally divided. The convention will
he held in Bangor on April 10. and
will consist of about 1000 delegates
The district conventions, except the
first, will be held in Bangor on the
same day.
HELP TAFT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Concord, n. H.. March 1s.-Nine-
tenths Of the active political leaders
among the republicans of New Hamp-
shire are working for the renomina-
ton OF President Taft They are
making plans to give him an ovation
tomorrow, when ne visite Nashua,
Manchester and Concord. which will
convince everybody Of the preponder-
nnce of Taft sentiment
on the other hand. Governor Bass
and some not all, of his associate
progressive republicans are stumping
the State for Roosevelt, and are cheer
ed with enthusiasm by large crowds
everywhere. Their one hope. for which
they are making a vigorous fight, Is
the adoption Of "A presidential primary
by the republican state committee at
Its meeting on March 81
With a primary in force the Roose-
welt people would have some chance
Of getting some delegates from New
Hampshire. Under the old convention
system they have no chance whatever.
TAFT SURE OF VERMONT.
Burlington. March 1s,-It is the
opinion of Vermont politicians that
Theodore Roosevelt stands no chooca
Of getting a single one of the States
eight delegates to the Chicago conven-
ton. In accord with the custom of
republican conventions in this State,
the delegates will be uninstructed. but
It will be thoroughly understood that
they arc for Taft. The candidates
have so expressed themselves
Senators, congressman and governors
are for President Taft. and not a single
politician of prominence has come out for
Colonel Roosevelt. Feeling among farm.
ers along the border against Taft be-
cause of his reciprocity propaganda
amounts to little. and will not rebound to
his rivals favor.
TAFT STRONG IN MASSACHUSETTS,
Boston. Mass, March 18-What use
Massachusetts republicans will make Of
the presidential primary Is problematical
The party organization Is strong for Taft
and the people at large are his loyal
friends, Nevertheless, outcroppings Of
Roosevelt sentiment are occasionally Wis.
ible. and 1t is evident that the delegation
thus chosen to the national convention
will be divided. Much depends on the per-
Vennel OF the nominees. The orgsnisar,