The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-12
BARNES DECLARES
i. R. lTcHtS FOR POWER
Strenuous One Anxious to Use the
Power OF Nasiopal Defense He
Now Urges.
mo SANE MAN OR WOMAN
SHOULD FAVOR HIM.
This Is the Pointed Declaration OF
New York Republican Political
Leader--Barnes Doesn't Want to
Be Delegate.

Albany. ". Y, Jan. 1l.-That Theo-
dore Roosevelt is itching to get back
into ONCE to use the power of national
defense, which he is urging, and that
no sane man or woman should permit
him to do so, is the sentiment ex-
pressed in a letter sent tonight by
William Barnes to Frederick C. Tan
ner. chairman of the State commit
tee. Mr.. Barnes own congressional
Twenty-eighth. met here today and
selected State Senator Henry NJ. Sage
and Republican County Chairman Ell
lis j. Staley as delegates to the Chi
cago convention.
Mr.. Barnes makes 1t plain to Chair
MAI Tanner that he will not permit
his own name to go before the Re-
publican State convention aszgone of
the four delegates at large 10 the ma
donal convention, because he believes
his weil-known hostility to the Colo
mel would make it injudicious for him
to serve in that capacity.
Letter From Barnes
Mr.. Barnes made public tonight his
letter to Mr.. Tanner. which is as fol-
lows:
Albany, n. K, Jan. IL. 1915.
My Dear Mr.. Tanner.-The Repub-
Ncan congressional committee of this
district met today and selected Nh. l.
J. Staley and Senator Sage as dele
gates to the Republican national con-
renion To be voted for at the primary
mutee / am in entire accord.
Lest this action should lead to the
inference that 1t Is my expectation
that the Republican State convention.
which, I understand. Is to be held in
February, will suggest me as one Of
the tour delegates at large, ] am
writing to advise you of my deternli-
nation not to go to the convention as
a delegate.
Powerful influences are at work TO
bring about the nomination OF Mr..
Roosevelt. That this should be pre-
vented. I ana confident rs the opinion
OF all sane men and women. IL we
are 10 prepare for defense as Mr..
Roosevelt himself properly urges. 1t
would be irrational 10 place the power
thus created tn the hands of one who
would Itch to use II.
In view OF the contention which |
foresee will come before the National
Convention over the Roosevelt candt .
dacy. it would be inJudleious for me
TO be q delegate. The New York DELE
cation. which l assume will be unit
against Mr.. Roosevelts perennial am
billions. should not be open TO the
charge that any personal element was
involved In its action.
Il shall be at Chicago as the mem
Der OF the national committee from this
tate to perform such duties AS prop
eriy devotve upon me.
With best regards. I am.
Sincerely yours
WILLIAM BARNES"
Political foreeas;ers were tonight
discussing the possibility of Chairman
Tanner himself taking the place Mr..
Barnes was slated for with the big
Four" along with Elihu Root. Senator
James w. wa6sworth and William
BERT There is still a feeling among
the Republican leaders that Dir, Root
will change his mind and accept
place or the delegation while the names
OF George Aldridge, OF Monroe. Fran
CHS Hendricks. of onondasa- and Will
liam L. Ward, OF Westchester, are also
prominently mentioned as leaders anx-
Ions Gar She. hazor.* .c. ,aa III ~