Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-22
Calls Republican Electors Dishon.
est Men if They Intend to
Vote against Him.
ALL be ASKS IS FAIR FIGHT
Finds It Uncomfortable to Have
a Man on Both Sides, "Es-
pecially When He Is
behind YOU"

washington, Aug. 16.-President
Taft to-day made his first political
speech since the one that ne made
when notified Of his denomination
Addressing members OF the Maryland
Republican Editorial association in
the east room Of the White House he
declared that presidential electors
were dishonest men" II they let
their names appear on the republican
ballot and intended to vote for the
candidate Of another party.
"All we ask is a fair fight. man
cannot be in the Republican party and
in third party at the same time and
should he compelled to make his Sc
lection" said the President. Regular
ity. or feeling of regularity and res
pect for the Republican party for
what It has DONE what 1t is capable
of doing. are going to bring over into
the Republican party many man who
has been doubted. and It is going to
increase that number. in my judg-
ment. as we approach the election. 1t
Is. therefore. essential that we make
the cleavage as clear as 1t can be
made, so that those who are republi-
cans shall be republicans and those
who are with the boilers shall bear
their name and title. and not be re-
publicans and boilers, because they
cannot be. at least they ought not to
be in all fairness.
I'VE ought to have electors in each
State bearing the emblem of the Republi-
can party, bearing the names Of the candi-
dates Of that party for president or vice
president at the head of the ticket cover
ing the electors who are going to vote
for those names. If there are any mer
on that list who are not going to vote
for the men at the heal of that ticket
don't hesitate to say that they are dis
honest men. in that they are holding out
to the people who are to vote for then
Ian implied promise that they will vote
for the names on the ticket. when they
I'm fact. intend to vote for somebod,
else"
NEW CONVENTION POSSIBLE.
Some of the editors told the Presiden
that either the electors chosen for tn,
republican ticket in Maryland would de
clare their intentions to support him o
a new State convention would be held t,
make new selections.
The President began his speech with :
party stands for. He said
I'VE are republicans. That means
that we believe in certain principles
that we believe in the constitution y
the United States; that we believe i.
maintaining that constitution: that W
believe in progress along the line
that that constitution indicates. w
2 are protectionists, and we are in favo
. of maintaining the present prosperit
by maintaining a tariff system whir
, shall preserve business as IT goes o.
now and shall secure as high wage
/ as possible to the wage earners, an
| a reasona bile profit to those who inves
their capital.
I. Being party. we are anxious t
a have the opinions that our party rep
4 resents put into force In the operatio
r of the government. The only way W
= can do that is by electing a Congress
I and presi dent who will carry the,
o out. Now, that means that we hav
to he a single party. and not a pal
= OF two parties. I don't think we Al
q unfair in asking that we be given
4 chance for a fair fight. and In countin
n those against us who are not with VI
II To have a man on both sides of T.
= Nght when we are on one side Is Nv
d comfortable, especially when he IS b,
hind you"