The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-07-11
TAFT FORCES HEAR ONE HUN.
- DRIED ELECTORS WILL sup
PORT THIRD PARTY
Conference Called
At White House to Consider Steps
to be Taken to Avert Disaster
. Which Threatens Success OF the
Nominee OF Chicago Convention. :

-.a w ooMtH6Iol, July ll.-lne > 5ltua-
tion confronting President Taft and
the regular Republican organization
Is becoming more confused every day.
The Presidents political advisers are
fully reconciled to the fact that Col.
Roosevelt hopes for success through
manipulation of the Presidential cleo
tors. "Thou shalt not steal" Is one
OF the commandments often quoted at
Oyster Bay. 1t Is apparent that the
same commandment Is to be hurled
at Roosevelt by the Taft people, who
are getting ready to accuse him Of
planning to steal the election
through. preventing fair selection of
electors In many of the States.
This situation in regard to the cleo
tors Is assuming alarming propor-
lions for the Taft people and it Is
by all odds the biggest problem that
National Chairman Hilles and his ad-
yisors have to face. Many in Wash
ington expect to see court proceed
1ngs between the Roosevelt and Taft
people, before the row is over, and
doubt is expressed whether even a ju-
dicial decision on the question would
clear the situation except perhaps in
the State where the decree was hand
ed down. ~... J..
Many for Roosevelt.
- All told. there are close to 100 cleo
tors who, are Roosevelt men, but whose
names will, be ON the regular Repub-
lican organization tickets. Many Of
these electors have said fatty that
they would, vote for Roosevelt, and
most of the others are leaning toward
that course of action.
These Roosevelt Republican cleo
tors were selected, of course, by the
regular Republican organizations in
the States controlled, by the Roosevelt
forces. Now that President Taft has
been nomipated the leaders in control
of some OF these State organizations
refuse to acknowledge Mr.. Taft as the
regular Republican nominee, and as
sert that they are not bound; to sup
port President Taft.
This situation means that Presiden:
Taft either has got to run his chances
by accepting the Roosevelt electors,
nominated by the regular Republican
state organizations, or else he has got
to put an independent set Of electors
- in-the- field. The nomination Of an
independent set can be brought about
by petition, but If the President has
to resort to this course he will find
his right will be questioned In sew
eral states to run the Independent set
OF electors under the heading of the
Republican ticket.
The Roosevelt people, on the other
hand, In several states where the reg
ular Republican organizations have
chosen electors favorable to the COL
onel are planning to have the same
set Of electors named on the third
party, or Bull Moose ticket.
Conferences On Question.
There is another phase of the situa-
tion that is still more puzzling for
the Taft leaders. In some states the
electors have been or will be selected
at direct primaries. In these states,
with the Roosevelt forces in control
resident Taft, will be confronted
with the necessity Of running his
electors on an independent ballot.
Several conferences have been held
at the White Hotse, in regard to the
growing mix-up over Republican cleo.
tors. The conferences related chiefly
to Kansas, South Dakota, Pennsylva.
MIA, California, West Virginia and
other states in which the mix-up al
ready has developed or is imminent
Among those who talked with Ma
tional Chairman Hilles were Repre-
sentatives Burke and Moore Of Penn
sylVania and Campbell, Of Kansas.
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