Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-27

prove OF MS turning tIicfh No"'' ~ 49,
public interest, but / object to It's De-
ing done wantonly. Moreover, appre-
ciate that he has alienated quite need
lessly, very many voters. and II we nad
the right man to put in his place tine
right man from the standpoint OF getting
votes) should say that II was certainly
| wise to nominate such man. But no
such nan is in sight. and there does not
seem to be the slightest chance OF his
arising. Under the conditions it seems
to me that while it will do damage 10
renomnate Hughes il will do more dam
age not to renominate him and that
this damage will extend outside OF the
state While, therefore, 1 want most
emphatically to disclaim any intention OF
seeming 10 dictate the nomination,
think / ought to tell you that my judg-
ment is that the convention ought to
renoninate him. / am sure that the del
egates from this district will be for him
Bennett. Sherman and Dady insist that
there is no alternative to his reDomina-
ton. Hitchcock SAYS that not to renom-
mate him would be harm to the can
vass outside of New York as we'll as,
in his Judgment in New York. Even
clined to take the same view. l may
add that everyone present agreed 10
keep absolutely quiet in this matter anu
to consult with you, among Others De-
fore any kind OF a conclusion was an
nounced; but from the papers L shouid
Judge someone had talked. IL was NOT
I. for no newspaperTan communicateo
witt, me directly or indirectly, and | was
as much surprised as anyone when I
saw the statements in the papers
Another Letter
On August "a, 1903, Col. RooseVei1
wrote 70 Mr.. Barnes from Washington,
as follows:
Most empiiatically whatever my
friends do up in Albany | shall stana
nv ifem. l have given them, irclGd-
ing YOU my bes, judgment. Now, II
YOU and those like you fear that /
shall ask you to cut your throats your
fear is groundless. But my judgmen
is that the convention will nominate
Hughes and that it would hurt very
much more not to nominate him than
to nominate him, although il will IN
doubtedly hurt US also to nominate
him"
On August 81, Col. Roosevelt wro.e
to Herbert Parsons, who at that time
was a member of Congress. In part
the letter which was from the White
House was as follows:
You were very strong in your state
mcnts Of what the men under you said
to Hughes unpopularity, and Ger
talnly understood you to say that Ben
nett felt exactly as you did. When
Bennett tells me, as the local leaders
tell me, that sentiment is very strong
for the denomination of Hughes. have
got to take notice of it. entirely agree
with all you say as to your just rea-
sens for complaint against Governor
Hughes, and Furthermore with all yoI
say as to the fact that many Of those
who desire his denomination desire It
chiefly for the purpose of hurting the
Republican party. Moreover, my dear
Parsons, you can hardly seriously sup
pose that, to quote your own words,
am trying to treat you as puppet'-
that is, if you mean me when you say
those in charge of the National cam
paign' which of course. am not. ON
the contrary. 1 have written again and
again to Taft and to Hitchcock not to
make any open statement, and L
haven't the slightest intention of tell
ing you what to do You wrote me re-
ouesting to see me and asking that |
say nothing until / had seen you. L
saw YOU We went over the situation.
7 afterwards saw Bennett and various
others, including Sherman, and the sit
thnxy related ii totally
different that | felt that ought to tel
YOU that this with other knowledge
brought to me, had made me alter my
mind as to what was the w:~e thing 20
do.
Up. S-Of course | want the fullest
and most open expression of preference
at the primaries: that I'll stand heart
ily for whatever you, F'assett and the
rest Of me leaders finally Go. and have
no intention Of forcing the nomination.
or Of trying to; but unless you object
] should like, as a good republican anu
party man and staunch believer in
you. to tell you my judgment for wh9t-
ever it is worth"
Still Another Letter
On Sept. 16 Col. Roosevelt wrote this
letter to Mr.. Barnes:
II am very glad you Joined in making
the nomination of Hughes unanimous.
! think it was the wise and patriotc
thing to do. After the election / shall
want to see you in Washington and talk
over matters with you"
On Nov. 4, 1908, election day, Col
Roosevelt wrote this to Mr.. Barnes from
the White House.
Dear Mr.. Barnes: Good for YOU we
are to be heartily congratulated on the
whole business, national and state
Replies by Mr.. Barnes to some of the
colonels letters were also read to the
jury.
The witness identified all of the letters
and declared them to be authentic
When the letters had been read. Mr.
WINS asked Col. Roosevelt about Taft's
and Hughes plurality in New York. lie
said Hughes was small
''Who was present at the conference
in Oyster Bay mentioned in the corre-
spondence?"
AT the first Mr.. Parsons and Mr.
Barnes were there. At the second Mr.
Sherman, afterwards Vice President. was
present"
Col Roosevelt said his fayoring Gov