Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-06-06

Oyster Bay, n. Y, June 3.-Upon the
selection of temporary chairman OF
the republican national convention
may hang the political fortunes of ex-
President Roosevelt. He decided to-
night to oppose with all his strength
the seating of Senator Root ana issued
n call to all his supporters to stand by
him. Colonel Roosevelt's statement
Is so constructed as to make the issue
clear one between himself and his
opponents. With 1t he binds up the
entire question Of mis- political faith
so as to make a decision for or against
Senator Root. vote for or against
himself. 1t Is. he asserts, a question
Of principles not persons.
Colonel Roosevelt declares that
-Mr. Root has ranged himself against
the men who stand for progressive
principles within the Republican par
ty." But it is William Barnes Jr.. Of
New York. he says. who is to be the
real head of the Taft canvass at Chi
cago haracterizing Mr.. Barnes
as the representative of the very
worst forms of bossism in politics" he
asserts that no progressive delegate
can AFFORD to vote for any man pro-
posed by him THE great majority
Of the Republican party" Colonel
Roosevelt asserts. have unequivocal-
Nv repuiiated Mr. Taft" The conven-
ton If left to itself. he says. will be
heavily against Mr.. Taft, whose whole
chance of winning depends upon his
hopes and plans for securing improper
action by the national committee"
LONG SESSION WITH ADVISORS.
Colonel Roosevelts decision to make a
square issue of the seating OF Mr.. Root
was reached after a long consultation
with several Of his advisors. At Saga
more Hill tonight were Senator Dixon.
the colonel's campaign manager. Clifford
Pinchot former chief forester. VIM l..
" ard, New York member Of the Roose-
Welt national committee, George w.
Perkins Of New York. Frank Il. Kellogg,
who was known az the trust buster"
of the Roosevelt administration, Andrew
Hahn, delegate from Minnesota to the
Chicago convention. and Truxton Beale.
a delegate from California. Following 10
the statement dictated to-day at Saga
more Hill by Colonel Roosevelt:
In the past Mr. Root has rendered dis
tinguished service as secretary Of state
and secretary Of war. But in this con-
test Mr.. Root raffged himself against the
men who stand for progressive principles
within the Republican party in relation
10 the issues OF the present day and
what It was in the days of Abraham Lin
coin. He stands as the representative Of
the men and the policies Of reaction. He
IS put forward by the bosses and the
representative OF special privileges.
What has recently come to my knowl-
edge makes 1t clear that 1t is a question
Of the absolute duty Of every progressive
republican to oppose the selection as tenn
porary chairman at Chicago of any man
put forward In the interests OF the sup
porters of Mr. Taft In this contest.
have before me a copy OF the following
telegram sent to a Roosevelt delegate
from Pennsylvania. Philip X. Barber:
TELEGRAM BARNES SENT.
THE national committee has selected
Senator Root OF New York for temper
airy chairman OF the convention at Chi
cago. II Is reported that the Roosevelt
forces will oppose the action of the com
mittee | am wiring you In behalf Of tn
New York delegation. with the exception
Of very few. to ask your support fo
Senator Root for temporary chairman
We believe this contest is the most seri
Gus one which has afflicted the Republican
party and that the attempt to nominate
Mr. Roosevelt can lead only to disaster
The doctrines which he has advocated w
declared in our platform at the Rocheste
convention to be subversive Of on
form of government. VIII yo'
please wire me. New York city collect
whether we can rely on your support 70
fNr nv
(Signed) WILLIAM BARNES. JR.
kilograms like this have been sen
10 great number of the delegates
apparently to great majority o
them. This telegram makes the issu
perfectly clear. 1t Is one OF princi
pies. not persons. Mr. Barnes demand
Mr.. Roots selection as the sign of re
2udiation of the principles for whicl
stand, and as an endorsement OF tn
doctrines enunciated at the Rocheste
convention, doctrines not merely reac
tionary. but of such n character tina
no party protesting them could carr
q single State In the union. These doc
trines are so bourbon and reaction
airy that in every open primary Il
every northern State since the Roches
ter convention was held. after full
discussion. the people have overwhelm
ingly repudated them
SHOWS BARNES THE LEADER.
This telegram shows that the pla
announced In the press Is true, an
that the leader and real head of Nj
Tafts canvass at Chicago Is to b
Mr.. Barnes, whom Mr. Taft and hi
managers have chosen to represen
and embody the principles for whic
Mr.. Taft stands. choice which cast
an Illuminating light on Mr.. Taft's re
lations both to the bosses In polite
and to special interests In the busines
world. In the next place II makes
perfectly clear that Mr. Root IL pushe
for the nomination only Tor tho pun
pose to secure the defeat OF the prin
ciples for which the progressive re
publicans stand. the principles fo
(which the people have declared them
selves by overwhelming majorities
those States where there have bee
Aa9ulsg Vripsxta&