The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-14
HARk BACK TO go
Delegates to Republican Con-
yention Recall History
OF the First Nomination of
Abraham Lincoln.
ARE SEEKING A PARALLEL
For the War That Is Being
Waged i'm Chicago.
LaFOIlette May Hold the Bal
ance of Power.

Chicago. June 14.-De1egates to the
Republican national convention in
anticipation of the coming to Chicago
of Colonel Roosevelt and a history
| making episode in American politics,
today went back to the first nomina-
ton OF Abraham Lincoln in 1860 in
efforts to find a parallel for the fight
being waged here. Roosevelt men,
kept at high pitch by frequent con-
ferenees and mass meetings in which
their leaders attacked the actions of
the national committee with bitterness
pointed to the death of the old Wing
party as their theory of what may
happen in Chicago next week.
Taft leaders. declaring that the ac
ton of the national committee in seat
ing the Roosevelt delegates from Mis-
souri, was indicative of its fairness,
laughed at the predictions of Colonel
Roosevelt's followers ant the con-
tinued talk of a bolt.
The Roosevelt managers today an
nounced If all the. remaining contests
before the national committee are de-
cided in favor of President Taft he will
lack fourteen votes of the number
necessary to nominate. These figures
and others compiled at both Taft and
Roosevelt headquarters brought the
situation down to point where dis
cuSsion of a deadlock and a possible
dark horse" candidate loomed large.
declared that as the situation now
stands the Taft forces actually count
less than ten votes in their favor. 9th
ers insisted that yesterdays develop
from Missouri left the president eleven
short of bare majority OH the tenn
porary roll.
Fight Becomes Intense.
The fight for the uninstructed dele
gates, the southern delegates and the
OF anA %%a I41@
sin and North Dakota today became
intense. Every possible argument is
being used by the campaign managers
on both sides to get the advantage in
these quarters. The Roosevelt men di-
rected a concerted effort toward the
southern delegates in attempting to
make them believe they would repre-
sent an absolutely certain majority
to the nomination and matters per-
tanning to organization of the conven-
ton. AS a result of Tightening of the
lines, the LaFollette
a strategic force, and in the calcula-
lions of the managers of the other
camps it ranks a close second to the
southern and uninstrueted vote in the
convention.
It was pointed out that if President
Taft is not in absolute control of the
convention from start to finish La Fol-
lette will hold balance of power. The
of debate among leaders was
whether or not this possible balance
would be used. Roosevelt leaders
frankly said they expected the aid of
the La Toilette strength in a combina-
ton to defeat U. S. Senator Elihu Root
as temporary chairman. To this end
the Roosevelt forces have suggested
that they would be willing to support
any candidate for the temporary
craftsmanship that the La Toilette men
might choose.
Walter L. Houser. Senator La Fol-
lette's campaign manager today how
ever repeated his assertions to the
effect that the La Toilette delega ton /
would avoid all combinations of any
character with any other candidate
Mr.. Houser declared the La Toilette
is looking ahead only to
the senator's political future and the !
vocated in his fight through the various
state primaries.
Barnes Makes Some Figures.
VIM. Barnes, jr., of New York, IN
tabulated personally an
that President Taft would
have STA votes on the temporary roll |
call of the convention. If this claim be |
found correct when the national COM
mittee completes the hearing of con- |
tests the president would have a ma
Jority on paper of exactly seventy |
votes over the combined opposition
NIen the SITUATION afTectnE the DOS |
sible winning of Taft delegates to the |
Roosevelt side was discussed the Taft
leaders insisted that even heroic efforts
to that end would be futile in the face
of the presidents strength on paper |
They pointed out that from the figures
Roosevelt would have only 458 votes
that it would be necessary to capture
30 southern delegates in order to get
control of the convention out of the
hs nds of the presidents supporters and
that then it would be necessary to get
10 delegates more, the number in
for La Toilette and Cummins
IN order to nominate Col. Roosevelt
Many of the Roosevelt leaders con-
cede the improbability of the nomina-
ton of Roosevelt on the first ballot but
at the same time say that President
Taft cannot muster enough votes to
adopt the report of the committee on
credentials. Here is the point where
they claim the Taft ship will go on the |
rocks The credentials committee it is |
admitted by many will be similar TO |
the national committee.
The Coming of Root
Principal interest today centers in |
the coming of Senator Root the work |
Of the national committee in the con-
test hearings and score of impassion- |