The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-04-16
NICHOLS WAN STEST
OFPARTY SENTIMENT
IN FIRST DISTRICT
Challenges Committee To Select
Delegates To Chicago In
Preference Primary
DECLARES IN LETTER
AGAINST PARTY CAUCUS
Committee For Taft But Should
Not Stand In Way of Ex-
preston BY People

Charles A. Nichols, chairman OF the
Michigan Roosevelt. committee, ad-
dressed letter, Monday, 10 the Re-
publican First district congressional
committee, challenging the commit
tee to hold an informal presidential
preference primary in the First dis
trict for the selection OF two dele
gates to the national convention and
abide by the result OF the primary
The Taft press and the Taft organ
ization have been insisting that senti-
ment in Detroit Is overwhelmingly In
: favor OF Taft" said Mr.. Nichols.
Here is a chance for them to let the
people speak for themselves.
THE details OF the primary could
be easily worked out II the committee
accepts my suggestion. l think we
could raise half the cost OF II by pop
ular subscription among the Roose-
welt workers, IL they would contribute
the other half. Two Taft men and
two Roosevelt men could be placed
in each booth. But, these are details
that could be readily arranged II the
principle appeals TO the committee.
The first congressional district ex-
tends from the westerly boundary or
the Tenth ward easterly and includes
very nearly all OF the seventeenth
ward on the east side. A presidential
primary In this district would give a
very fair expression OF the feeling OF
Detroit people with reference to the
Republican candidates for president,
according to the Roosevelt boosters.
The committee is composed entirely
of Taft men, many of their appoint
ments having been made by ex-Rep.
DENLY, so the reply OF the committee
will be awaited with interest by Chair
man Nichols. Mr.. Nichols letter fol-
lows:
Detroit, April Is, 1912.
To the Republican First District Con-
gressional Committee, Hon. orvice X.
Leonard, Chairman:
John w Beaumont Chas. F. Mellish.
George b. Yerkes, William Il. Hamil-
ton, Allan III. Frazer Neil w. SNOW,
tichard =; Joy. Hedleyy. Richardson's
James o. Murhn. Homer Warren. DR..
L. w. .Haass. Chas. +. Wing,
Gentlemen-You are about to issue
call for a caucus and convention Tor
the purpose OF naming two delegates
and two alternate delegates, TO the
national Republican convention, where
a Republican candidate for president
VIII be named.
representative OF Theodore Roosevelt
in this state. 10, ,afford the Republicans
OF the first cohgressfUnaf district an
opportunity to express their preference
in such way that the VIII OF the
people will prevail and the present
pei nicious and dishonest caucus sys-
tenn will be dispensed with. very
earnestly ask your honorable commit
tee to formulate a plan for an informal
primary, safeguarded in such way
that both sides In the present nauonaI
ION
abide by the result. 1T cannot be de-
MED that the caucus held recently In
the City OF Detroit where delegates
were elected 10 the county convention.
WAS farce and a disgrace TO the Re-
publican party The ballot boxes from
more. than one-half OF the polilns
. booths In the city of Detroit were re-
turned TO the ofhce OF the city clerk
before o'clock. while the call OF the
county committee was for caucus 10
be held from o'clock In the afternoon
until o'clock at night ~ ines, tnese :, ea NJ
way OF telling whether he Is +entltleo
to vote or not. 80
The Roosevelt supporters in this city
will be satisfied IL your committee VIII
make arrang ements whereby the he-
publican voter may register MS vote
with full assurance that ~ VIII pe
counted as he voted IL. Inc hoose
Welt committee would be delighted 10
ioin with the gentlemen managing MT
Taft's campaign in this city In assist
ing your committee by requesting OF
the city OF Detroit the use or the poll,
ing books for the primary and for all
the paraphernalia customary TO a rego-
lar election and In any other way your
committee may suggest.
An Informal primary for the selec-
ton of delegates to the National Re-
publican convention Is not without
precedent. Some years ago delegates
were elected TO the nauonal conven
ton in this way and two members OF
your committee namely, Mr.. Allan H.
Frazer and DR.. f. w Haass were SCI
lected at that time by direct vote OF
the Republicans to the national con-
vention. 80
1 have been given to understand that
most OF the gentlemen on your com
mittee are I'm sympathy with the pro-
posed denomination of President, put
i am satisfied that this will not erect
their natural inclination 10 nave tue
will of the people expressed.
IL must be apparent at this time, not
only to the members OF your commit