The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-02

CHICAGO. June f.--scareely with
in the memory Of Republican polti-
clans has the preconvention meeting
of the Republican national commit
tee been charged with the vital sig
nihcance that will face that BODY
when II convcnes here. June 9Th TO
select the temporary role OF the Re
publican national convention.
Therefore the selection OF the Re
publican nominee for the presidency
has practically been cut and dried.
the usual protests from the Southern
States amounting TO little more than
an empty form. But this year the
old order Of thfngs 10 changed, and
today, FIVE days b<farA the fonamiItAe
srseeting. Hnds that body an inspar-
tant arbiter In the MKift for nofnina-
non between Colonel Roosevelt and
President Taft.
win Throw Out Many.
The vital Importance OF the com
ynit,ee's decision has led 10 a heated
discussion as to its probable action
with regard 10 the two hundred or
more contested delegates. whose cases
will be brought before II next Thurs
day. Manager Mckinley for Pres!-
dent Taft today positively asserted
that the majority OF Mr.. Roosevelt's
contestiny delegates will be thrown
nut By the committee and his predic-
tons seemed 10 be borne out by the
rake up of that body. which. through
It's machine appointed committeeman.
Is believed by Taft supporters to
stand at ss-3s In favor Of the presi-
dent. Manager Dixon. who is in
charge of Colonel Roosevelt's fight
fer the presidential candidacy. is
equally firm In predicting that the
contessing delegates from the South
will beseatedeythe committee.
Hard to Forecast.
In the light Of hate developments
in the political field politicians here
admit that the actien of the commit
tee is had matter to forecast. II
II believed. however. that Secretary
OF State Knox. the Taft choice for
temporary chairman viii he appoint
ed. and that the Taft men will control
a. sufficient number of committee
votes to Gust the majority OF Roose-
velt's contested delegates. leaving the
Anal decision OF their right to sit
in tine Republican national conven-
ton up to the credential committee of
that. hs,sisfsir FIRE Last ahas:--sy toA tsa'
majority vote OF he delegates on the
floor of the convention.
Roth the Roosevelt and Taft fac
represented by some of the foremost
legal talent in the land. and both OF
them wilyi use every argument known
10 law and every legitimate political
rule to swing the national commit
tee.
In speaking of the coming fight OF
the Republican factions, in the COM
rnittee on Thursday. Harry s. New.
the national chairman. stated that the
~ysy no
ing of the contested delegates would
be absolutely impartial. and that the
decisions of that body would favor
neither candidate, but would be ac-
corded solely In respect to the legal
merits OF the cases presented.
The attitude of Manager Mckinley
OF the Taft campaign toward the
coming committee meeting was made
public in statement by him today.
He said:
The only thing we expect and the
only thing we have right to demand
from the Republican national COM
mittee when its meets on June 9th
20 consider the contests for dele
gates to the Chicago convention is
a square deal.
The Roosevelt faction has con-
tested large number OF our dele
gates-particularly from the South.
But I can confidently state that the
majority OF these contests will be
overrruled and am certain that all
rightly-elected and appointed Taft
delegates vii be seated when the con-
vention opens.
THE statement has been made that
we are depending on winning the ma
GRITTY OF the contests to nominate
Mr. Taft. We are not. We have
enough delegates without the con-
tested ones-at least without those
regarding whom there is the slightest
doubt-tc nominate Mr.. Taft on the
first ballot and we VIII do It. We are
interested in the action Of the nation
81 committee merely a. regards our
denire 10 secure square deal in all
matters and We do not consider that
such action with have q material bear
ing on the nomination at Chicago"
what Dixon SayA
On the other hand Manager Dixon
In charge Of the Roosevelt fight for
tContinusd on Second page,