The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-03-15
TAFT GtAIMs GAINS.
PRESIDENTS BUREAU REPORTS
GRAND TOTAL OF DELE
GATES Is NOW los.
CLAIMS MADE ON IOWA
Solid New York Delegation Likely
Clubs and Leagues Being Or
sanized In Many
Sections.

Washington, d. C.-Amidst all
the discussion of ways and means for
holding preferential presidential pri-
maries, the Taft supporters in the diff
ferent sections of the country go on
capturing instructed delegates to the
Chicago convention, according to
Chairman Mckinley Of the Taft or
ganization.
The Taft bureau has issued a state
ment saying that "a instructed and
seven avowed Taft delegates were
elected during the past week, bringing
the total instructed delegates to 80
and the grand total of delegates under
the Taft banner to los, signalling the
first break in the so-called insurgent
territory. when the Sixth Iowa dis
trict, represented in congress by N. e.
Kendall, obedient to the sentiment of
the district, instructed for President
Taft.
In New Mexico. where the oppon-
snts to the president were claiming
the solid delegation, eight uninstruct-
ed delegates were selected. and seven
of the eight are avowed Taft support
/ ers.
The "a instructed delegates were
two each from the following districts:
Second. Third, Fifth and Sixth Tennes.
see, Fourth and Sixth Alabama. Sixth
Iowa. Fifth Virginia and Fifth Mis-
souri,, and six at large from Alabama.
In the Fifth Missouri district, So
( called preference primaries were held,
which were disregarded by the sup
porters of President Taft and Sena-
ground that they combined city pri-
maries, in order that the city machine,
through the selection of national dele.
gates. might perpetuate its power. The
convention of the district regularly
called and constituted was held later
and Taft delegates elected.
Other developments of the week
show the progress of the campaign.
Congressional district meetings in
New York indicate President Taft will
have substantially a solid delegation
! from that state.
In Iowa, where the Sixth district
| has already broken away from Sena-
! tor Cummins, the Eighth and Ninth
are said to be certain to take similar
action. In ten Iowa county Republi-
can conventions. President Taft re-
ceived more than 100 instructed dele
gates to the state convention.
In Delaware and Rhode Island the
state committees have Endorsed the
president for denomination. foreshad-
owing the selection of Taft delegates
from those states. The organization
of Taft clubs and leagues continues.
, New Hampshire has come forward
with an exceptionally strong organiza-
ton. Harvard university organized a
Taft club with Charles +. Hughes, Jr..
son of the supreme court Justice, as
president. Virginia, through county
conventions. sent additional Taft dele
gates to the state convention, which
will be practically unanimous in sup
port of the denomination of Mr.. Taft.
The Lynchburg, Va, Republicans
tabled a resolution instructing their
delegates to the state and district
conventions for Roosevelt. The state
committee of Louisiana indorses Pres.
ident Taft. Senator Lodge, who for
personal reasons, has announced that
he will take no part in the fight for
delegates, came out in a strenuous at
tack on the initiative and referendum
and recall in a speech at Princeton
N. J.
Score In the Presidential Contest.
Washington, ID. Cup to date
delegates pledged to rival aspirants
for the presidential nomination are as
follows:
Republicans:
Number OF delegates on conven
ton. 1916.
Necessary to choice, $50.
Delegates SO far selected. III.
Pledged for Taft, los.
Pledged for Roosevelt, IL.
Contested delegates, 4.
Democrats:
Number of delegates in convention
1892.
Necessary to choice, 12S.
Delegates selected. "a.
Pledged for Clark, A..
Pledged for Wilson. 10.