Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-06
Letter from Senator Dixon to Director
VIM. B. Mckinley" Means Of Pri-
marieS" for Decision Colonel
R0OSeve|t'S Letter to MunSey.
Colonel Declares He Will Not Go to Chicago to
To Fight II Out in the Convention.
THE DIXON LETTER.


Washington. Mar 5.-The following
letter challenging the Taft campaign
forces Ito Il test by means of prma-
ries" was sent to Director William b.
Mckinley of the Taft campaign COM
mittee, late today, by Senator Dixon,
Theodore Roosevelts executive chair
man:
My Dear Mr. Mckinley:
For the purpose of determining
definitely whether the Republican
voters of the country desire Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt or President Taft
as their candidate in the approaching
Presidential campaign, 1 hereby chal-
lenge You to test by means of pri-
maries in every state in the Union
Senator Dixon states that the OBJ
vious purpose of both the Republican
campaign committees is to elect a Re-
publican, next fall; that both are in
terested primarily in the success of
the party and that the first requisite
to such success is to choose the can
didate with the greatest popular
strength.
..Fne time to find out what the
voters want is before the nomination
is made rather than afterward," he
adds. 1T will be too late after the
convention is held
Senator Dixon stated that the Re-
publican National committee was not
justified in leaving the primary ques-
ton to the action of the states.
In every state and district in the
Union. proper arrangements can be
MADE and effectively carried out" he
SAYS, for securing free and volun-
tary expression of the will of the Re-
publican voters. If it cannot be done
by a statewide primary, which would
be preferable, it can be arranged for
districts, under the supervision of
proper committees
Tie letter calls attention to the va
rious states where arrangements have
been or are being made for primaries,
and ADDS:
Il am informed that in several states
where the Presidential preference pri-
mary question is awaiting legislative
action the influence of men who are
working with YOU is cast determined
~ in opposition. Your cooperation
with me in such states no doubt would
result IN the enactment of these laws
and the considerable spread thereby
of the Presidential preference primary
under direct legal sanction by the
state.
Let me call your attention again to
the fact that Colonel Roosevelt has de-
clared repeatedly that he is not an ae-
tive candidate for the nomination., but
will accept it if it comes to him as the
demand of the voters of his party His
letter to Mr.. Moore of Pttsburg, sent
b,r haa last night.
aud published in the newspapers, this
morning. is an additional proof of this
attitude and of the fact that in now
saying that he will accept the nomi-
, nation under the conditions specified he
is merely responding To popular de-
mand
THE voters of the country have an I'M
questionable right to express their de-
sire. and l sincerely trust You will ae-
! cept this challenge and prepare to CO.
operate with me in the arrangement Of
such primaries.
Director Mckinley, tonight. sent let
ter to Senator Dixon, asking if the pro-
posal were made with the authority of
Colonel Roosevelt. and also if Senator
| Dixon were acting as chairman of the
Roosevelt executive committee either by
selection or authority Of the colonel. His
reply to Senator Dixon was brief.
"Since you are pleased to apply to your
communication so grave a term as chal-
lenge," the answer said, cit becomes
somewhat important to have our respec-
| tive relations to candidates made clear
at the outset.
Il would therefore say that / have
been asked by President Taft to act as
director of bureau with headquarters
! in Washington. organized for tie epur-
pose of securing his denomination for a
second term. Before answering your
challenge l desire to know whether you
are acting as chairman of the Roosevelt
executive committee, either by selection
| or authority of Mr. Roosevelt, and also
| whether your so-called challenge was
issued by authority of Mr.. Roosevelt,
whose nomination for a third term as
President | understand you and your or
ganization are attempting to secure"