The Washington times., 1912-07-18
NORRIS FAVORS
NEW PRIMARIES
IN HOME STATE
Nominee for Senate Willing
to Abide BY the
Result.
BY JUDSoN C. wELLIvER.

BY JUDS0N c. WELLIvER.
A new plan or settling the differ
ences as to who is a regular Repub-
lican, and what sort Of electors shall
go on the Presidential tickets this
year, was proposed today by George
w. Norris, Congressman from Ne
braska, insurgent leader, and Re
publican nominee for the Senate in
his State.
Mr.. Norris is supporting Roose-
welt, declaring that Taft's nomina-
ton was stolen. Some Of the reg
ular" Republicans at home have
been demanding that he withdraw
from the ticket.
Proposes New Primary.
In reply, Mr.. Norris has thrown a
bomb into the Taft ranks ov sending a
letter to John L. Kennedy. State chair
man and Taft man, proposing that a
new primary be held. al which full
tickets of Roosevelt and Taft electors
shall be presented; that on the ballot
shall be printed, for answer by the
voters, this question:
WAS Mr.. Taft regularly and hon
estly nominated at the Chicago conven-
tion as the Republican candidate for
PRESIDENT"
If a majority votes that he was so
nominated. then, Mr.. Norris proposes,
the solid ticket Of Taft electors shall 60
on the ballot: If the vote Is adverse. the
Roosevelt electors shall become the
Republican electors.
If the vote is for Taft, Mr., Morris
promises at once to place his resigna-
ton as the party candidate in the hands
of the State chairman; II the vote is
adverse to Taft. Mr.. Norris will go
ahead and run.
Means Roosevelt Election.
This plan has given distinct shock
to the Taft organization. In Nebraska
which has eight electors, II is commonly
understood that five or six are for
Roosevelt, and two or three for Taft
Under the Norris plan, It is confidently
believed, a solid Roosevelt ticket would
be named.
Moreover, under this plan there Is nc
possible doubt that Norris would re-
ceive a far more emphatic Endorsement
as the Republican candidate for the
Senate than he got in the earlier pri'
mary.
With the benefit of such an indorse'
ment, under the Oregon plan Of Sena-
torial elections when prevails in Ne
braska, 1t is believed Norris would gain
a very large progressive Democrat
support, and his chance or being elected
would be greatly improved.
That the proposal will be rejected by
the Taft managers is not seriously
doubted. The President has taken the
broad position that he will engage ir
no efforts of this kind to save the party
from a split. He insists that he Is duly
nominted, and that none but Taft cleo
tors must go on the tickets.
Similar Plans Rejected.
Colonel Roosevelt has rejected very
similar plans in Pennsylvania and
Maryland, but for different reasons. He
takes the position that the nomination
at Chicago having been stolen, he car
engage in no fusion that might involve
'egree Of cooperation with the ele
the two candidates here is no chance
for such a plan unless State manager,
in particular States override candidates
: I'd 20 ahead on their own hook. This
Is the hope that Mr. Norris entertains
He thinks his plan Is the only one thai
will give the Republicans a chance tc
elect their State ticket or the legisla
ture, and the new Senator this year.
a,
follows:
July IS, 1912.
"Hon John L. Kennedy,
Chairman Republican State Commit
tee, Omaha, Neb.:
Dear Mr.. Kennedy-It is claimed tha
because / have refused to admit thu
legality OF the nomination of Mr.. Taft
] should withdraw from the ticket as
Republican candidate. 1t is my belle
that Mr. Taft's alleged nomination wa
not obtained either lawfully or hon
estly; lawfully and regularly electe
delegates were deprived of their seats
and their places given to men who ha
no moral or legal right to them, I
change a minority into a pa jority, an
tiun was secured. Believing this, hav
denounced this alleged nomination a
void, and refused to recognize Mr.. TAT
as the nominee.
Wants People to Decide.
While cannot see how any reason
able man can examine the evidence an
reach any other conclusion. yet an