New-York tribune., 1916-03-07
New Primary Law Bars
Naming of Hughes,
Roosevelt or Root.
STATE DELEGATES
WILL BE DIVIDED
Republicans Will Split Between
Justice and Colonel, and
Either Can Win.
BN HOWARD ID. HADLEl.
BY Telegraph 90 IN. Tribune

By Telegraph 20 Jhs Tribune
Minneapolis, March G. Bewildered by
the idiotic and contradictory provisions
Of what is admitted even by its own
trainers as the most foolish direct
primary law ever put together and de-
prived Of any opportunity TO indicate
their real choice for President by the
refusal Of Hughes. Root and Roose-
welt 10 allow the use Of their names,
the Republican voters Of Minnesota
will go TO the polls week from to-
morrow and elect twenty district dele
gates and four delegates-st-large 20
the Republican National Convention, at
Chicago. Ostensibly the delegates Will
be for Cummins, but. rs THE Min
neapolis Tribune" said editorially a
few days ago, IL the voters Of Mime
sofa thought that the voters in other
states would conclude from this that
Minnesota was for Cummins for Presi-
dent they would proceed 10 knock
the harm out OF harmony
Following the December meeting OF
the national committee the stand-pat
wing Of the party. encouraged, II IS
said. by Mr.. Root himself, made elao-
orate preparations TO bring about the
election of Root delegation 10 Chi
cs0o. but on Christmas Eve they were
thunderstruck by the receipt Of mes =
sage from the ex-senator asking that
his name be withdrawn from the pri-
mary fight
A sroup Of younger and more pro-
gressive Republicans then started a
movement 60 put Justice hughes's :
name on the ballot, but just about that
time Hughes peremptorlly deemed 10
allow the use of his name IN Nebraska,
and that plan failed. Then Colonel
Roosevelt declined 10 allow his name
to be used. To paraphrsse a slang eN-
pression. the Republicans Of Mime
sofa were "all balled up and no place
TO 60
Confusion Worse Confounded.
To make confusion worse confounded,
Governor Johnson OF California. after
II was too late under the law 10 get
any one else, declined 10 allow the
use of his name as q Progressive can
didate for President. So neither the
Republicans nor the Progresslyes have
sny way OF expressing their choice ex-
cept by voting for Cummins or Esta-
brook. Fortunately, or unfortunately,
there is no enrolment. and any voter
who asks for a Republican ballot may
have one under this remarkable statute.
II United States Senator knute Mel
son had been born in this country. IN
stead Of the bleak little hamlet of
Vosse Elven, on the rugged coast OF
Norway. Minnesota would have real
candidate for President, for the vener-
able Senator holds a unique place IN
the hearts Of the people Of his state,
and he is regarded here at least as
sound Presidential timber.
A month ago Senator Nelson was
writing home that he thought II would
be impossible 10 persuade Hughes to
accept the nomination. Now he Is writ
ing his close friends in this state that
he believes that neither Hughes nor
any other American can refuse 10 an
swer the call OF reunited party in this
extraordinary emergency. The feeling
/ here IS that Senator Nelson thinks
Hughes would poll more votes, espe-
cially in the doubtful states. than any
|
Delegates Divided.
A careful examination Of the lists o.
candidates for district delegates TO the
i Republican National Convention, after
confidential talks with three or four Of
the shrewdest and most experienced
political observers in the STATE, war
rants the prediction that Minnesots
will send 10 the Republican National
I Convention one genuine Cummins man,
eleven anti-RooseYet delegates and
eight delegates who will be more than
eager to vote for Roosevelt ut the hrst
chance. II is not asserted that all the
eleven anti-Roosevclt men would re-
fuse 70 vote for the Colonel IT II
seemed best under all the circum-
stances. but some OF them would GER
tsinly do so with a wry face. Yet II Is
remarkable how the feeling Of bitter
ness against Roosevelt is softening.
OF the four delegates-at-lsrge, two
likely will be very friendly TO Roose-
welt and two will be Of the other brand.
! All Of the twcnty-four delegates from
/ Minnesota, however. would vote Tor
/ Hughes with great enthusiasm. by the
Z time the convention meets 1t would sur
prise no one here if all were ready and
willing 70 vote for either Hughes or
/
I be the stronger.
In 1912 Roosevelt carried Minnesota,
/ the vote standing: Roosevelt, 1886;
/ Wilson, 106.426; Taft, 64,33s.
Either Roosevelt or Hughes would
carry Minnesota this year with a
whoop, as Wilson is no stronger than
he was four years ago. On the whole,
he is probably weaker than he was then
/ in this state.
Wilson Not in Favor.
Wilson has kept the country out Of
war and he has brought about the en-
actment Of = good banking and cur
rency law. Against that ia set down his
I Underwood tariff law. his cxecrable
Mexican policy, his weak and wabbly
/ foreign policy, and his failure 10 up
/ hold and strengthen the administration
Of the civil service.
OF the 100000 odd voters in Min
neso.s there are about 10000 Ger
mans. about 100000 Swedes and l0o,-
/ 600 Norwegisns, and about 10000
/ Yankees and men Of other n-tlonali-
ties. The Germans and the Swedcs
are pro-German. Sweden fears Rus
sia. The NorycgiAns are inclined 10
I favor the Allies as against the Ger
1 mans. who are mostly Democrats, and
I the Sycdcs will be between the devil,
represented By T. Il. and tho waving
dark blue sea impersonsted By the
wabbling Woodrow W. The Swedes
like Roosevelt. and they like Huyhes.
They are an Independent. courageous
people, with an undying hatred OF
/ bosses and bossism. They know just
what Hughes or Roosevelt will do.
/ They have been unable to keep pace
| With President Wilson IN changing
opinions on impOrtsn, matters. Either
| Hughes or Roosevelt would satisfy
| them.