New-York tribune., 1916-05-08
EXPIRE Sident Gets
$500 of 1881 Cast
by Tribune Readers
MANY FOR T. K.
"FIRST-ALWAYS"
Roosevelt Shows Big Gain
Throughout East-Root
Receives 1856.

Theodore Roosevelt is overwhelmS
Ingly the choice for the Republican
Presidential nomination in The Trib-
une's primary. He polled slightly more
than 81 votes for every one cast for
Charles Evans Hughes. A total Of 1884
ballots we're returned in time 20 be
counted for the present summary, $500
being for Colonel Roosevelt, 1,O64 for
Justice Hughes, 1876 for Elihu Root and
the rest being scattered among twenty
four other names, no one getting more
than 25 votes.
The ratio for Roosevelt against the
field is more than 70 1. Henry Ford
got 25 votes, William Howard Taft 19
and President Wilson 10.
A further index Of the strength Of
Roosevelt sentiment was also shown in
347 additional votes sent otherwise
than in strict accordance with the
terms provided for the contest. or
these. 286 we're for Roosevelt, 33 for
Hughes, for Root and % scattering.
They we're not considered in the Of
fetal count, but a separate tally, just
as carefully kept, was made OF them,
owing 70 the apparent earnestness with
which most Of the senders seemed to
want 20 record their choice.
T. r. "All the Time"
A summary Of the regular ballots
shows 1850 voting for Roosevelt as
second choice and 2,s92 for Hughes;
also, 1884 voting for Roosevelt as first
choice and refusing to name any other
choice. being for him. as many wrote
on their ballots, FIRST, second and all
the time" OF those naming Hughes
first 227 failed TO name a second.
A number Of salient points stand out
in this impressive expression Of public
faith IN Roosevelt Foremost is the
fact that four years ago this paper and
its constituency were as strongly anti
Roosevelt as any section of the public;
the present vote shows conclusively
that the course Of events since then
has changed the stand Of The Trib-
une's readers just as it has changed
the stand Of this paper.
Analysis Of the vote shows also q
significant shift in the centre of
gravity Of Roosevelt sentiment
Whereas the Middle West was far
more strongly for Roosevelt in 1912
than the East, the present figures bring
out that, although the West is still for
him, his gain of strength is now more
marked in the East, with its exposed
coast constituting a constant argu-
ment for adequate national prepared
ness.
High Percentage Of Returns.
Still a third noteworthy point is the
remarkably high percentage OF the re
turns as compared with The Tribune's
circulation. OF the persons who had
Tribunes on April 80, in the Graphic
Section Of which the ballot coupons
were printed. between 6 and per cent
who saw them took the trouble TO write
their preferences, cut the coupons OUT
and mail them, an unusual showing III
test voting experience.
Every possible care was taken in con
ducting the primary, both in the rules
Of voting and in counting the result, In
order that IL should be as signihcant,
50 far as it goes. as any other call for
an expression from the voters.
Owing 90 the fact that neither Colo
mel Roosevelt nor Justice Hughes Will
permit his name 10 20 on primary
ballot. Republicans are unable 70 use
ihe Presidential primary machinery
his year. To remedy this lack, as felt
N It's own constituency at least, The
Tribune published week ago yester-
cay pictures Of Roosevelt and Hughes,
together with a triangular ballot with
spaces for indicating first and second
enaoicv for the Presidential candidate
o. the Republican party.
The rules Of the test laid down were
mat only the printed coupons would !
count that only one vote could be re- I
corded on each coupon and that only |
nose coupons would be counted which |
bore the name and address Of the voter. I
LAST Monday morning the ballots began |
pouring in. In order 10 keep its hands 4
entirely of the count, The Tribune |
placed II in charge OF Haskins & |
Sstlis, certified public accountants. of
ov Broad Street.
Ottoial Clerks Open Ballots.
As the mail came 10 The Tribune il /
vas handed without being opened 70 |
She accountants. Even the general Of !
nee nee mail was held up 70 scrutiny before /
he light TO make sure none containing |
osilots should be opened except by the |
V,leial tally clerks, 20 insure against |
sil talnt OF partiality.
force OF nine accountants began /
Hofk on the ballots last Tuesday, and /
e counting was closed late Saturday /
ssii'ernoon. when the fall in the number /
incoming ballots 60 comparatively
,sylhing seemed 20 indicate that the
",urns were practically complete.
DuFing tne progress Of the count the |
Continued on page G, column