The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-03-19
TELLS MASSACHUSETTS
LEGISLATORS HIS VIEWS
Against Soap Box" Primary,
Calls 1t "Open Avenue for
Fraud and Violence"
Defends the American Courts.
Speech in Reply to Roose-
welt Attacks.

BOSTON. March 1s.-A declaration
In favor OF preferential primaries for
the presidency. under certain condi.
tons In the coming campaign. was
made by President Taft to-day in the
chief OF a series OF speeches delivered
In Boston. The President made known
his attitude on the preferential pri-
maries question in an address before
the legislature. As the-President
entered the house chamber. which was
crowded with people. he received an
ovation. The cheering lasted for sew
eral minutes I'm spite OF the constant
effort OF Speaker Gushing to restore
order.
Wherever full and fair notice OF
the election can be given. wherever
adequate election safeguards can be
thrown around to protect a preferen-
tial primary for the presidency,
wherever the constitution of the state
permits its being made applicable to
the present election. ! favor and vel.
come st."
This was the presidents statement
today before the general court of
Massachusetts. II was his first per-
sonal reply 10 the challenge to prefer
entail primaries issued some time ago
by Senator Dixon. Colonel Roosevelt's $
manager. President Taft did not re-
fer TO the challenge. however.
Reply to Roosevelt.
The president made a rather point
ed reference to the proposition. Let
the people rule" and had something
to say about the recall OF the judiciary
and the recall OF judicial decisions.
irresponsible assaults upon either
10 Incorporate language or on base
less assumptions OF corruption OF
bias, or incompetency. made by those
whose statements have influence with
any part OF our people, are a serious
menace 10 enduring government.
said the president. His address. IN
part. follows:
You have recently passed what il
called a presidential primary law.
for the selection OF delegates TO the
national conventions, upon which viii
fall the duty OF selecting the presi
Dental nominees OF the respective
parties I have not had opportunity
critically to examine the new Law. but
! am sure II makes proper provision
to meet the obvious requirements.
am glad that you have done this. The
question of how delegates are to bt
selected to any political convention
or how nominees are TO be selected
by a party. was originally a matter o
merely voluntary and party adjust
bent. but 20 important to the public
at large did the character OF the can
didates to be selected by each part!
become. that the state has properly
interfered so as TO throw safeguard
around the exercise by all those VIII,
belong to a party OF their privileges
10 have "A voice in the choice OF thei
party candidates.
"sfesusrding Ballot
II am not going TO stop aud discus
IN detail the question OF direct pri
mary elections. their uses and abuses
think everyone will admit. however
in order that they may accomplish
the good they are intended TO accom-
plish. they should be safeguarded b.
effective provision as 10 the part.
eligibility OF voters who participant
in them. and By penal provisions 80
curing conformity 20 rules OF sue
eligibility and the honest casting an
counting OF the ballot
y do not hesitate 20 say that In m
Judgment. a voiun AIRY " mar outsid
the Law. known by ifs Informal chai
acter - a soap boI" primary.
worse than none. for u gives fuil oi
portunify 70 The ineiiEIb bic electors d
he other parry 20 east unfair vote
and without the sanction and saf
Euard % penal prov sions in respe,
fconttnnsd on Tsnth Pag.B