The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-03-15
NOT game"
FOR sPOILS
Declares Roosevelt In Let
ter To Senator Dixon.
Criticises McKinley's Position
On Primaries Wants Peo-
pie To Decide.

Washington. March io.-Copies of u
letter on the subject OF preferential
presidential primaries. written by Col
Theodore Roosevelt to Senator Joseph
M. Dixon. director of the Roosevelt
national headquarters here. We're given
out tonight by senator Dixon. .
Col Roosevelt apparently Endorses
Senator Dixons challenge to Director
Mckinley, of the Taft headquarters.
for such primaries, and scores Mr.. Me-
KInleys reply that he ibid not favor
changes in the rule of the game while
the game was In progress"
Col. Roosevelt refers to the nominal
tons OF Federal officcholders, which
President Taft recently withdrew from
the Senate. and infers that the Presi-
dents action was taken to provide an
example" for the politician of tho
State
Practically the entire body of pro-
fessIonal politicians are pittcd against
US IN tnis CONTEST, the toionel Wrotc'
land in every State and In every con-
gressional district they are led by the
officehoders who, with the example
before them OF what was done In con-
nection with the nominations for local
offices in North Carolina, are working
as we have rarely seen them work In
American political life.
Col Hooscvelt's letter In full was as
follows:
My Dear Senator Dixon:
II have received your letter OF March
6 stating that In your opinion 1t is of
vital importance to the success of the
Republican party In the November
elections that the national Republican
convention shall nominate the candi-
date whom the mass of the Republican
voters wish nominated and that. there
fore, this sentiment should be given
expression through presidential prefer
entail primaries In the several States
In order that the wishes OF the voters
may be ascertained before. instead of
after the nomination.
Il also have seen your correspond
ence with Mr. Mckinley. You proposed
to him that as far as possible the
selection OF the Republican candidate
mined by the voters of the party in
preferential presidential primaries. Mr..
McKinley's answer Is contained prac-
tically in one sentence in the letter
sent you: 4 do not favor changes In
the rules Of the game while the game
Is in progress
1.-The point Of view expressed in that
sentence contains the issue within the
Republican party at this time. We who
stand for the progressive cause. for
the cause of honest and genuine de-
mocracy, genuine representative gov
eminent. hold that a public contest
between parties or within parties is
not carried on as a game, is not car
ried on for the purpose of winning
prizes for the contestants or with a
view to the personal wishes or well
fare OF any one man. We hold that
It should be carried on for the pur-
pose of ascertaining and putting into
effect the will Of the people so that
the people may Jointly do for them
selves what no man can do so well
for them.
1--WE hold that the laws that govern
elections and govern party orgdniza-
lions should not be treated as rules
which are fit subjects for tricky ma
nipulation by contestants for a price
We hold that as far as possible these
laws should be treated as rules to as
certain the will of those whom the
public officials and party officials are
supposed to represent. In sum-. there
fore, We hold that the object OF this
contest il not to procure rewards for
individuals. but to obtain the more ef-
fective government Of the people. by
the people and for the people.
"Our opponents. on the contrary,
take Mr.. McKinley's View that we are
engaged In a game In which the In
terests Of the people. II y true. are at
stake. but in which the people them
seles are not to have their voice. Mr..
McKinieys position was stated with
frank cynicism by Congressman Camp |
bell on behalf of the resctonary sle- !