The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-02-07
G.. @. P. IN FLORIDA
Is SPLIT ON TAFT
Oiceholders Instruct Twelve Delegates for President
While Other Faction Names Delegation for Roosevelt
Welliver, in Munsey's Describes Leader

The Florida Republican State COZ
vcntion, called early in order to give
the Taft campaign q lift, was held in
Palatka, Fla, yesterday and promptly
split.
The off1ce-holding organization main
tanned possession Of the hall in which
the gathering was called. tsnd named
twelve delegates. instructinR them for
Taft. The other faction withdrew to
another hall and named a delegation
that was instructed for Roosevelt.
Florida was pushed TO the front be-
cause 1t is particularly docile ma
chine State, and there was hope Of
getting past with a Taft delegation
and no contest. But 1t didn't work. and
politicians now predict that every. one
of the Southern states will 30 through
the established form Of selecting two
delegations to represent no electoral
votes and no real Republican party.
The Taft organization, Of course, ex-
poets to hold firm grip on the ma
tional committee, and make 1t SCAT
the Taft delegates throughout.
Chubb Wires Taft.
Henry S. Chub5, Republican boss of
Florida, national committeeman and
State chairman. wired the White House
there would be no semblance of any
contest" MIR. Chubb probably controls
his state more absolutely than any
| other man controls a State anywhere.
The SYSTEM under which the Florida
Republicans operate was described by
Judscn c. Winiver in sn article in the
current Munsey's Magazine. after a
fashion that gives Illumination on the
proceedings Of the double-Jointed con-
ventiOn yesterday. From this article
quotation Is made:
Henry s. Chubb, Of Gainesville, is
both national committeeman and chair
man of the State committee. He Is
the boss of Florida Republicauism at
home, and its voice in the national
party And don't suspect that these
Now, in giving out postoftices In
Southern States, the authorities at
Washington consult the State chairman
and the national committeeman. They
are practically the dispensers Of the
States share of patronage. For in
stance, there are 9s7 postoffices in Flor
Ida, according to the register of 1909.
The national committeeman and the
state chairman distribute them, making
them the price Of loyalty to the ma
chine; and their power to do this, in
| turn, Is the price of their loyalty to
the national machine.
Seldom Disagrees With Self.
'Mr. Chubb, being both national COM
mitteeman and State chairman, seldom
dlsagrees with himself. II the depart
ment needs a postmaster, it asks the
referee to name a likely one. National
Committeeman Chubb and State Chair
man Chubb sit down together-inside
the same suit Of clothes-and agree.
!
well, Mr.. Chubb was a delegate-at-
large. He has a home at Winter Park,
and the postmaster there Is Leland NJ.
Chubb, at N,10 a year. Whether Le-
land M. is kin to the puissant Henry s.,
1 can't state. This Is where You get
| another guess.
| along with the other duties which a
| dual personality imposes, Henry 8.
Chubb is receiver of the United States
land office at Gainesville. 1t Is one OF
the biggest-and easiest-Federal jobs
in the State, with a salary of $1,000.
Along with Mr.. Chubb there went to
the national convention, as delegates
at-large. Joseph e. Lee, of Jacksonville,
faithful blue book Identifies these gen.
tlemen-Iee as collector of internal
revenue at $500 a year and Macfar-
lane as collector of the port at Tampa
at 5000.
Lee is a negro, one of the ablest men
and best politicians his race has pro-
duced-which is no small compliment TO
hts political abilities. He Is regarded In
Florida as the real power behind the
Chubb throne. Appointed first by Nc
Kinley, he has held his present office
ever since. He Is also secretary of the
State central committee. J. NJ. Coombs,
another delegate at large, now deceased,
| was a Federal office-holder.
Took Alternates Along.
These distinguished patriots took
along alternates to vote for Mr.. Taft in
their places, in case any of them should