The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-06
Sena tor Dixon Chal-
lenges Taft to a
Primary.
MCKINLEY SENDS
CUTTING REPLY
Presidents Campaign Manager
Demands to Know by What
Authority Dixon Sends Chal-
lcnge, and Rings in Deadly
Thrust of Third
Term"

Washington, March 5.-senator
Joseph NJ. Dixon. chairman of the
Roosevelt executive committee, to-day
challenged the Taft campaign forces
ito Il test by means of primaries in
every state In the Union" Senator
DIXON conveyed the proposal in q let
ter to Representative William Il. Nc
kinney. director of the National Taft
bureau
Director Mckinley Tonight sent
letter TO Senator Dixon asking If the
proposal were made with the authority
| OF Colonel Roosevelt, and also asking
ii Senator Dixon were acting as chair
man OF the Rooscveit executive com
mittee. either by selection or authority
OF the Colonel
Senator Dixon's letter was as fol-
lows:
My Dear Mr.. Mckinley:
For the purpose of determining
definitely whether the Republican
voters of the country desire Colonel
| Theodore Roosevelt or President Taft
as their candidate in the approaching
presidential campaign, 1 hereby chal-
lenEe you to Test by means OF pri-
maries in every state In the Union"
Senator Dixon states that the obvious
purposes of both the Republican cam
paisn committees is to elect Republican
next fall; that both are Interested In
the success of the party. and that the
first requisite to such success is to
choose the candidate with the greatest
popular strength.
Let the People Decide.
We ought 10 have u free and volun-
tary expression of opinion directly
from the voters who Will carry tho
ballots that will determine finally the
verdict at the polls" The letter con-
tinues: The time TO find out what
the voters want is before the nonii-
nation is made rather than afterward
| II VIII bs too late after the conven-
| ton * held
Senator Dixon states that the Re-
publican National Committee was not
| JUSTIFIED in leaving the primary cues
ton TO the action OF the States.
In every State and district in the
Union proper arrangements can be
| made and effectively carried out" nc
says, for securing a free and volun-
tary expression Of the will Of the Re
publican voters. If 1t cannot be done
by Statewide primary which would
be preferable. it can be arranged for
districts, under . the supervision OF
proper committees"
The letter calls attention to the va
rious States where arrangements have
been or are being made for primaries.
and adds:
With your corporation similar ar
rangements no doubt can be effected
in all other States where Legislatures
arc not now considering the enactment
OF presidential preference primary
laws.
that in several States where the presi-
Dental preference primary question is
awaiting legislative action the in
fiuence of men who are working with
you is cast determinedly in opposi-
ton. Your cooperation with me in
such States no doubt would result in
the enactment OF these laws and the
considerable spread thereby of the
presidential preference primary under
direct legal sanction by the state.
Popular Demand.
Let me call your attention again
to the fact that Colonel Roosevelt has
declared repeatedly that he is not an
active candidate for the nomination.
but will accept II II ii comes TO him
as the demand of the voters OF the
party. His letter to Mr. Moore, of
Pittsburgh, sent out by your hea l.
quarters last night and published in
the newspapers this morning is an ad-
ditional proof OF this attitude and Of
tho fact that in now saying he will
accept tile nomination under the con
ditions specified he is merely respond
Ing TO popular demand.
The voters of the country have an
unouestionablc right to express their
desire. and ] sincerely trust you will
accept this challenge and prepare to
cooperate with me In the arrange
ment OF such primaries.
commissioned officers are necessary
TO direct an army, but it is the rank
and file that win the victories.
Respectfully yours.
JOSEPH NJ DIXON"
U!- What Authority.
Director McKinlcy's letter in reply
was brief.
He wrote: Il am just in receipt OF
Your letter OF the htth instant. de-
livcred by special messenger. Since
You arc pleased to apply to your com
munication so grave a term as 'chai-
lcngc' it becomes somewhat important
to have our respective relations 20
candidates made clear at the outset.
I would. therefore. say that have
been asked by President Taft to act
as director of Il bureau with head
quarters in Washington. organized for
the purpose Of securing his renomina-
Continued on Second PaEc)