Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-08-15
LETTERS ON
TIMELY TOPICS
THE CHICAGO STEAL"


tai CHICAGO convention The support
ers Of President Taft have hefetofore
explained his errors with the state
ment that he was badly advised. but
somehow that does not keep him from
making more mistakes.
When he, for the first time in our
history, took the high office of Presi-
dent. out campaigning for his own
election, he told the people that he
had been man of straw, but was
not going to be so any longer
/ Now, through the columns of the
Star Bulletin, President Taft sanctions
a statement, explaining and defending
the suicidal success of his political
advisers and further that the Asso-
ciated Press delights to aid in its wide
distribution.
This inspired statement fails to rec
ognize a. fundamental difference in
| the methods used by the two con-
tending leaders in the Republican
convention. The Roosevelt men ad-
mitted that some OF the contests in
| their favor filed without their sane
ton were not worthy of cfedence, that
they were filed without official sane
ton can be proved by reference to
the official statements of Senator
Dixon, given out. prior to the conven-
ton, IN which he does not claim dele
gates for Roosevelt in certain South
ern States. On the other hand, the
Taft Barnes; Penrose, ETC.
would not admit that any of their sup
porters could possibly be wrong, even
If they had ,toreverse their own de-
cisio1is to sustain this position. -s
The statement you published adj
mits that Arizona could 'rightfully Sc
lect delegates at large, but that Gail
fornia could not "'':s"' ."':
The Taft men In Chicago were chal-
lenged to prove that their delegates
won single contest in the whole of
California. 1t was stated there, that
the fourteen district inspectors were
unable to segregatee' the voters be-
tween certain districts because Of no
proper registration and that they ar
bitfarily assigned Taft two delegates
and the rest to Roosevelt in the 14th
District, this being about" the proper
ton of votes east in the two districts.
but that the total vote was over
whelming against Taft. -
Later these inspef tofs cancelled
their first returns, and substituted
those in which they admitted their
inability to give anything. but guess
a. to the subdivision and the final re-
turns filed showed only the total votes
or both sides. of the new, division line.
and that these votes were. overwhelm-
irgly for Roosevelt; aspd further that
as the people were not voting for dis
trict delegates but delegates at large
combining all the votes aid no injury.
In, the Washington case this pub
lished statement makes Il clear asAhas
been claimed ali sfo99 that the Taft
men everywhere we're opposed to let
ting the people EXPRESS their free
choice through primaries In Miehi-
gan one word from Taft and his snp-
porters in the Legislature would have
consented to put that states new pri-
mary into immediate effect, Instead of
insisting upon its delay until 1916.
II Roosevelt had no possible chance
Of a majority in the convention WHY
did the Taft men fight so hard over
seventy-four contests which this state
ment ty inference admits did have
merit. Why did they refuse even
roll call? Finally, If the claims of
Roosevelt followers were without
foundation then why, pay any atten-
ton to them.
A very reliable analysis of the
whole situation is coming in Novem-
Der and then many will clearly see
just how much. coloring matter there.
is in this, White House butter, Deal
.ers claim that some. people always
like their butter colored.
Now as to your editorial, you can
of course. color. that as you like. for
it is not supposed to be unadulterat-
ed. If You will show me where the
fourteen Roosevelt men on that ma
tional committee with its ,thirty-niRe
unburied dead hold-over politicians
who: had no seats Id the convention.
voted with the Taft imen on any of
theses seventy -four contests that were
left after those without merit were
settled, i will take off my hat to you,
and admit that in that instance you
knew more about the Chicago conven-
ton than | did. AS to your quotation
from the New York World, permit me
to say that l never knew that the
Roosevelt supporters ever claimed a
majority of rightfully elected dele
gates in that convention" The con-
vention was fraud, and to sustain it
means the approval, of the right of
those holding the power of initiative
- control political party.
However, let me also quote the New
York World, which said, of this same
convention: IF this contest means
anything, it means the old Republican
bosses are done for. The rank and
file demand a new dispensation. Nor
ally, the Taft administration has been
rejected by the Republican party. The
American people want a new deal,