The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-06-20
Bitterness Acute.


CHICAGO, ILL. Special.-With the
bitterness between rival Taft and
Roosevelt factions augmented bv
overnight charges of bribery and cor
ruptiOn made on both sides. the war
for delegates Were renewed with in
creased vigOr.
Newer before have the startled
delegates from the South. arriving on
the scene of a national Republican
convention. before it opened. witness
ed such lively squabble for their
votes.
Never have the negroes among them
been treated to such lavish entertain
ment, and such solicitOus care by the
representatives of rival candidates
Never has the real status OF these
delegations been more in doubt.
Never has the work Of the steam
roller left more wabbly set of dele
gates behind it. and never have the
big men OF the party themselves been
more uncertain of the outcome.
In the Hobbies of the hotels. men
from the Roosevelt camps meet. chat
Tor moment, soon take up the all
absorbing topic and their arguments
become fiery.
The uncertainty is fraying the
nerves OF the politicians. They want
to know who will win. The big lead
ers. Dixon. Mckinley, Penrose, Borah
and the rest. are just as anxious and
as uncertain.
1t has simmered down to a fight
for delegates.
As the convention draws nearer
politicians expect trouble in the be-
lief that after all the work of the Re-
publican National COMMITTEES is not
going to tell the story.
The roller has been working
smoothly enough, but Taft politicians
themselves frankly admit that the
Southern delegations are shaky and
the benefit derived from the settled
contests are doubtful.
certainly sorRe of the moves have
strengthened the coloners cause. The
seating OF Taft delegates from the
Fourth California District is one thing
mat has increased the bitterness man
itested by the Roosevelt men. II has
driven at least one new Republican
presidential elector, Fred s. Buggy. OF
the Sixth Indiana District. to declare
his intention OF joining the electors
bolt should the convention name any,
one except the colonel.
The question of handling and land
ing the Southern negroes has become
matter of foremost Importance. The
gorgeous entertainment planned for
them to be held at the Auditorium
Iheater on Friday has been postponed
until Monday.
The convention will open Tuesday.
Inc TACT Ihat the meeting has been
postponed and that the most COR
geous plans have been made for hold
ing IT has fOstered in the breasts OF
the Taft men the belief that Roose-
Welt will arrive Monday himself and
would address the meeting
That this would be of real fmpOr-
lance the Taft men concede. The fact
ls that the thing that Will get the
southern negroes in line and hold
them there is genuine band-wagon
movement.
one Indiana negro politician sent
to the Roosevelt negro headquarters
In South State Street returned and re-
ported that the delegates were waver-
ing.
What they want to know" he said.
lis who is going to win. They are
not worrying about anything else"
Under the circumstances Congress-
man Ackinley's charge that Roose-
yelt men were trying TO buy the
Southern delegates caused a genuine
sensation.
1t was equally opportune for the
Roosevelt men to make a counter
charge and find that about as many
other people would believe them.