The Washington times., 1912-03-31
TOWN CAUCUSES IN
VERMONT GIVE BIG
AID TO ROOSEVELT
Number of Delegates Pledg-
ed to Former President
Alarms Taft Men.

RUTLAND, VT. March 3l.-Incom-
plete returns from the Republican town
and city caucuses held throughout the
State yesterday generally point to tae
ohoice OF delegetes pledged or favorable
to Taft. while the smaller towns showed
strong leaninBs toward Roosevelt.
Before they gathered in caucus for
the great test of strength, the Taft and
Roosevelt managers heard from some
of the country towns where the delU-
gates to the State and district conven-
lions were elected. Reports OF surpris-
ing Roosevelt sentiment brought con-
shternation to the Taft managers ana
elated tae supporters of the colonel.
: With Governor Mead heading the
Taft delegation to the State convention
In Rutland and with the governor at
the head of the Taft movement in the
State, 1t was expected that Rutland
county would respond to his influence
and be solid for the reelection of the
President. But the earliest caususes of
Rutland county went for Roosevelt
Three Roosevelt Delegates.
Rutland towns, which adpoin the city,
elected delegates to both conventions
pledged to Roosevelt, and Clarendon,
another Rutland county town, has
chosen three Roosevelt delegates to the
State, convention Wallingford is re-
ported as split.
The coloners supporters dominated
many of the caucuses in the smaller
towns in Windham county. Roosevelt
instructions were given to the delegates
from Halifax, Jamaica and West
minister. The town of Rockingham
bellows Falls), selected Roosevelt dele
gates.
Orange county also gave indications
Randolph elected eight and Bethel four
delegates pledged to the former Presi-
dent
While the figures are not given. the
Roosevelt managers have received re-
ports to the effect that many OF the
small towns in the northern countries,
Franklin, Lamoille, Essex and Orleans
have instructed their delegates for the
joining towns have selected delegates
favorable to the nomination of Colonel
Roosevelt is conceded here by the Taft
managers.
the caucuses, Joseph C. Jones. head OF
the Roosevelt committee on the west
side of the State, insists that the
Coloners supporters will lbe in the ma
jority in the State and district conven'
tons Mr.. zones said that the towns
reported as having elected Roosevelt
delegates are typical rural communitie;
and they may be taken as an index OF
Ine temper OIL Tue Nolt'
Favors Coloners Nomination.
II have no doubt now that the senti
ment of the State will be found to b'
In favor of the nomination of Colone
Roosevelt" said Mr.. Jones. THE
grange IL strong in all of the towns
where we know that Roosevelt dele
gates have been selected, and wherVei
the influnce of the grange Is eXerteo
we Will, win the delegations. The ma
jority of the delegates to the State anc
district conventions are elected by th'
former vote, and the returns so ta'
show where the farmers stand, so oul
success is assured.
You may. say that l claim that the
Republicans Of Vermont are for Roose
welt. You may say also that It Is Ger
tain that Governor John A.. Mead vii
not go to Chicago as a delegate a
large. The Roosevelt men are insisten
that Governor Mead shall not be
national delegate and he is the heaC
and front OF the Taft movement II
Vermont"
The city primaries showed 627 vote
for Taft delegates and 3O3 for Roosevelt
representatives.