Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-30
Operation of Direct Primary Law
in Several States Presents
New Problem.
ROOSEVELT men CLAIMANTS
Stand Little Chance of Being
Admitted till after Republi-
can National Conven-
ton Is Held.

Chicago. May 2s-word that r. B.
Howell. recently elected republican ma
tional committeeman from Nebraska by
direct primary, would come to Chicago
on June 6, when the national committee
meets to hear contests, and demand lbs
seat, caused stir to-day among mem
bers Of the committee.
Mr.. Howell is a supporter OF Colonel
Roosevelt and was chosen at the direct
primary as the successor Of Victor Rose
water. acting chairman OF the republican
national committee whose official duty II
would be to call the republican national
convention to order on June IS and
Introduce Senator Senator Elihu Root as
temporary chairman.
At the local Roosevelt headquarters II
was said that Mr.. Howell had been ad.
vised that under the law he was entitled
TO immediate possession Of his seat as
member Of the republican national COM
mittee from Nebraska and he would
meets to hear contests on June 6.
tional republican committeeman from
Missouri under the direct primary. and
others similarly elected will, 1t IS said.
demand their seats when the committee
meets next week. Roosevelt managers
here declare there are at least Ave new
national committeeman who will attempt
TO assume their official duties before the
question OF contests is taken up by the
committee.
PRESENTS A NEW PROBLEM.
The operation of the direct primary
law in a number of States, where the ma
tonal committeeman are chosen by popu-
lar vote instead of by the delegates. pre-
sents a new problem which will in all
probability have to be dealt with either
BY the national committee or the ma
tional convention. Harry S. New. chair
man OF the subcommittee on arrange
ments of the convention. said:
The term Of a national committeeman
begins with the adjournment of the con-
vention when the new members always
are called upon to meet and assume their
official duties. This is the rule and prac-
tice Of the party and Is as old as the party
itself There Is no just demand nor rea
rule In my opinion.
"A candidate for president who re-
ceives majority of the votes might
with equal propriety go to the White
House the minute the vote is canvassed
and demand the off,- on the ground
that he wanted the office so bad he
could not wait unti al. incumbents
term expired.
The Republican party has a right to
an orderly convention and it is the duty
Of the republican national committee to
see that II has one.
1T is the duty OF the committee to
provide rules for the conduct of the con-
vention and provide temporary officers.
This Is necessary TO identify the con-
ventlon with the party and to differ
ent!ate that convention from any ire
sponsible gathering that might attempt
to constitute itself a republican conven-
ton without authority.
TIME UP FOR CONTEST.
The members of the national commit
tee are men OF character and standing
and are entitled to some respect
They are not to be bulNed nor
threatened into a failure to DO their
| duty as they see II. I have no doubt
that the committee itself Will show some
respect for precedent and orderly
methods and insist on their observance.
The time limit set by the national COM
mittee In It's call for the filing Of con-
tests expired at midnight and the briefs
IN all the cases are now in the hands of
Secretary Hayward and will be tabulated
| for h.. pstd do, NJ a
mittee when It msets June 6
| About 20 contests have been filed of
which it is said 225 We're prepared by
the Roosevelt forces and IS by friends OF
President Taft.
Secretary Hayward left to-day for New
York to bring his family to Chicago for
the convention. He will stay in Wash
ington a day TO attend to q matter Of
personal business but denied that his
visit there has any political significance
Sergeant-at-Arms Stone announced the
appointment of VIM, b. Austin, presi-
dent of the Hamilton club as chief usher
at the convention.
Tickets for ths convention will be dis
tributed through the national committee
men of the different States on Monday.
June IL
TICKETS IN GREAT DEMAND
The only exception is the 1000 tickets for
| the Chicagoans who contributed to the
fund OF $4,000 for use in meeting the ex-
pensss OF the convention. These win be
distributed by Fred w, Upham. chairman
Of the Chicago committee.
The demand for tickets this year is
greater than ever before. according tc
Chairman New OF the subcommittee or
arrangements. He has received 10000 re-
quests for tickets and they still are com.
ing in by the hundreds with every mail
Senator Burton Of Ohio was mentioned
o-day as the probable selection to make
the nominating speech for President Tai,
| in the convention.
Friends of Colonel Roosevelt have In
sisted that the picture of their candi
date be given equal prominence with tha
OF President Taft in the convention hal
decorations, but no action has been <aker
sAX.tha subcommittee On yaSranxs4sAtas