The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-08-01
COL. es1eY ON THIRD PARTY.

Vermont Delegate to Chicago Says
T. r. Charges Are "Trumped Up"
Brattleboro, July 20.-The Phoenix
says
In view of the hue and cry which
is being made by Theodore Roosevelt
and his adherents, the so-called Pro
gressives, to the effect that the Re-
publican national convention at Chi
cago was stolen from President Taft.
Mr.. Roosevelt's only excuse for re-
naming a candidate for the presi-
dency being that he failed in his
contests for the seating of delegates,
The Phoenix asked Col. ]. Grey Els
tey this week for MS opinion as TO
contests for the seating of delegates,
the fairness of the convention. Col.
Estey was a member of the commit
tee on credentials and in that capac
ity had first-hand knowledge as to
how matters were conducted. His
conclusion ought to have great
weight with the voters of the state
and wherever he is known. Copies of
the request from The Phoenix and
Colonel Estey's reply follow:
Brattleboro, VT,
Dear Colonel Estey:-Theodore
Roosevelt. the Bull Moose" candi-
date for the presidency OF the United
States, purposes to predicate the or
ganization of a third party upon the
assumption that the Chicago conyen-
ton was stolen for President Taft
and it is his intention to attempt to
make the alleged theft OF delegates
a chief issue before the country in
his campaign.
You We're a member of the Chicago
convention as a delegate at large
from Vermont WIN you kindly give
rs your views as to the honesty and
fairness of that convention and as to
the Justice of Mr. Roosevelt's action
ia breaking away from the regular
Republican organization
Yours truly,
The Vermont Phoenix
Brattleboro, Vt, July "a, 1912.
Editor of The Phoenix:
Dear Sir Replying to your re-
quest of The oath beg to state that
] was a member OF the Republican
national convention I'm Chicago as
delegate-atlarge from Vermont.
was appointed to the committee on
credentials and, as a member of that
committee. / had a very good opportu
nifty to hear and see the contests
which were presented.
think the claim of the thirdterm
candidate, that there was fraud and
that the nomination was stolen from
him, is nonsense, and | do not be
lieye that this contention is anything
but an excuse, because / believe the
object was anything TO beat Taft,
and TO punish President Taft for not
having favored certain parties and
policies that he was told TO favor,
but in my judgment President TAFT
is not that kind OF a man.
The impression made on my mind
in the committee or credentials was
that the contests were in nearly ev-
cry instance fraudulent and trump
ed.up" charges In a few cases there
was some ground for contest, but not
sufficient in my judgment TO make
out case. | am referring to the
cases where Taft delegates were
seated. As you will doubtless re-
member, there were no cases present
ed TO the committee on credentials
where Roosevelt delegates had been
seated by the national committee. In
fact, there were contests presented
which had been unanimously decided
by the national committee and their
course was naturally approved AS
observed it, the unfairness was all on
the other side.
Yours very truly,
j. c.. Estey.
Brattleboro, VT, July 25. 1912