Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-05-04
7. R. RENOUNCES
MASS.DELECATES
Three Balk When Colonel
Says Taft Won.
NE ISSUES A STATEMENT
pelegates.at-Large Won by Roosevelt
Through lntricaey Of Ballot Ordered
to Vote For Taft.

to Vote For Taft.
Refusal OF three of the Massachu-
sets delegaies-at.large to abide by the
decision OF Colonel Roosevelt TO re-
nounce his claim in favor OF President
Taft 10 the at-iarge OF eight
members has addcd to the compllca-
tions In the first presidential prefer
ence primary held in Massachusetts.
The returns showed that eighteen
delegates had been instructed TO vote
for the denomination OF President
Taft. while an equal number were
chosen on the Roosevelt ticket.
All the TAFT delegates were district
delegates. while those OF Colonel
Roosevelt we're ten from the districts
and the eight delegates.at-large. De
spite the fact that the eight delegates
at-large were elected Tor Colonel
Roosevelt. the state gave President
Taft plurality OF 3605. and this. &C
cording TO the Roosevelt statement.
prompted him to renounce his claim
TO them. The Republican voters by
their preference Tor President Taft.
but through The intricacy Of the ballot
failed to record this preference for
him in the ielegates-at.large.
The statement OF Colonel Roosevelt.
renouncing his claim TO the delegates
at.large. as received BY each OF the
eight. follows:
In Massachusetts the ballot con
tanned the names of eigh, candidates
for delegates al large. with printed AN
der each the words pledged to vote
for Theodore Roosevelt, and also CON
tanned column in which the voter
was TO express his preference as to
whether | or Mr. TAFT should be nomi'
mated as president.
1T would seem unlikely that a ma
jority OF the voters would both vote
for the delegates pledged 10 me and al
the same time express preference
for Mr.. Tart, but apparently this Is
what has happened. Such being tue
case. and on the assumption that the
preferential vote is for Mr. Taft. !
hereby announce that | shall expect
these observation-disclosures to disregard
the pledge TO support me, and Support
Mr. Taft: and ii any one OF them hest
tates so TO do | shall Immediately
write him and urge him with all the
emphasis and insistence in my power
to take the course indicated and sup
port Mr., Tai, in the convention
In this fight ! am standing for GER
tain great principles. which ! regard
as vital to the present and future vel
fare OF this nation My SUCCESS is OF
value only as an incident 10 securing
the triumph OF these principles. Fore
most amongst these principles Is the
right Of the people 10 rule and the
duty OF their representatives really To |
represent them. in nominating con
yentions no less than in executive OF |
legislative officers. II the majority OF
the rank and file of the Republican |
party do moi wish me nominated then |
most certainly ! do not wish TO he |
MY aim has been 10 get the genu-
inc expression OF their genuine desire
precisely as. il nominated, should |
desire TO get al the polls the genuine |
OF the majority Of q.
whole people; because my only pur-
pose in being elected president would |
be TO put into effect certain princi-
pdes and policies in which ! ardently |
believe. and which could not posi-. |
bly, put into effect unless had be
hind me the hearty support of the ma
jority OF our citizens"
On the Demor ratio ticket, although |
ten OF the fifteen candidates for dele
to Baltimore either were |
pledged 10 or indicated TO be for
Governor Foss. there was no Foss
name In @the presidential preference
column Speaker Clark. whose name
appeared in the preference and who
defeated Governor Wilson by vote
OF two to one. did not have sing
pledged delegates on the list. Many |
Of the Democratic district delegate
were also elected pledged TO Foss.