Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-15
Like a Red Rag
Before Mad Bull.

Chicago. June 14.-Col. Rooseveft's
actual start from New York, this
afternoon. to inject his own person
ality into the situation surrounding
the battle for delegates to the Re-
publican National convention was
practically the only topic of converse
tion after the fact became known.
To the Taft leaders the announce
ment of Col. Roosevelts coming was
in the nature of red rag to a bull.
Director Mckinley of the Taft cam
paign management issued a statement
in which he declared unequivoeally
that the certain Taft strength was 594
delegates-54 mere than enough for
nomination. He and all the other
Taft leaders declared Roosevelts COM
ing was the surest possible indca-
tion Of desperation and knowledge of
defeat.
He asserted that at conference of
the Roosevelt people held, Thursday
afternoon, their most optimistic fig
uring showed a Roosevelt total of IS
votes short Of the necessary $40
More significant, however. was the
table of delegate figures which ae-
companied Mr.. McKinley's statement
the 59i delegates which he listed in
the Taft column included all the con-
tested delegations, 81 in number
from Texas. Virginia and Washing
ton, upon whose cases the National
committee has still to pass About
the same time rumors were current
everywhere that the Taft majority on
the committee had decided definitely
10 give Taft every remaining vote
within their power from the contests
still pending before the committee.
With the increased definiteness Of
these rumors came an even more def
mite decrease Of Peace talk" Express
sions of both sides were distinctly
truculent.
Late tonight, there were no plans
for any special reception for Col.
Roosevelt. other than that Alexander
Reyell should meet him with his au-
tomobile upon his arrival and except
for special police protection take him
like an ordinary citizen to the hotel.
Arrangements had heen made for
Roosevelt mass meeting to be held.
next Monday evening. the night be-
fore the convention in the great An
ditorium theatre, with a list of we'll
known speakers. II was said. tonight
that Mr.. Roosevelt would be the only
speaker on that occasion
Whether he viii be given opportun-
ity to speak before the convention de
ponds altogether upon whether he de-
sires to do so.
Even his bitterest opponents here
concede. tonight, that so distinguished
n Republican must be welcomed by the
the National convention of rartv 10
place on the platform whatever
might be the private feelings OF o,ncf
promeinent members of the party re-
sarding his political views of position.
1t has been positively announced by
the President that under no eircum-
stances will he come here.
One occurrence, tonight. interrupted
/ ever the talk about Roosevelt's trip.
| That was the issue from the Roosevelt
| headquarters Of what purported TO be
| a letter 10 Director Mckinley OF the
! Taft campaign. from Charles Banks
| one of the Negro delegates t-large
from Mississippi, seated by the Ma
| tional committee, yesterday, and cred
ited to MIR. Taft, In this letter. Banks
| rurported to be returning to Mr. Nc
kinley a sum of money alluded to in
| the letter as a few hundred dollars"
and referred to as having been adj
vanced 10 him by the Taft people for
expenses of some of the delegates
from Mississippi
The reply Of the Taft headquarters,
IN the form of remark from Mr.. Me-
kihley was brief and oracular Mr.
Mckinley said: wr
hope every Republican will read
the Banks letter with extreme care and
draw his own conclusions. Its disclos.
ufes are Illuminating, Its issuance