New Britain herald., 1916-04-17
i. O. P. DELEGATES ASKED OFF FENCE
ProSreSsiVeS Believe People
 Should Know Their Stand

Boston, April IA demand that the unpledged republican delegates to the national convention tell the voters their preference for the presidency is contained in an open letter addressed ito them by the Roosevelt delega tes. The letter follows
 Gentlemen-On Tuesday, April 25, the presidential primaries will be held in Massachusetts. At these pri- maries the registered voters of the state will be afforded an opportunity to select delegates to the coming na- ,tfonal political parties. At the re- publican national convention leader will be nominated as the republican candidate to oppose President Wilson at the election in November It IS only at the presidential primaries that the average voter has the slight est opportunity even remotely to in ffuence the selection of his own party's candidate for the presidency. It was in order to give the rank and file some control over the nomination of their own candidates that the legis- lature of Massachusetts provided for these presidential primaries.
 Do you not see, gentlemen, that the very purpose of this primary law will be defeated if you refuse to per init the public to know the name of your first choice for the presidency? You ask to be sent to Chicago un- pledged. Well and good. You are gentlemen of standing and there is no heed of pledging you any more than there is need of pledging us. All we ask of you is that you should tell the voters your preference for the presi- dency. That is exactly what we have done. Unless you take the voters into your confidence, how can they intelll- gently avail themselves of the sole opportunity which is afforded them Eor influencing the councils of their own party.
 The Massachusetts public has re- posed confidence in you gentlemen. It has delegated you to make our laws. Why not reciprocate this confidence and allow the Massa chusetts public an inkIing of your intentions? For you surely have intentions, gentleme en. We have far too much respect for your intelligence to suppose that for a moment you are deceived by the hoary imposture which paints a na- tionaI convention as a solemn delib- crate body.
 For the most part the unpledged delegates from all over the land who will attend the coming national con- vention are well meaning, well-to- do gentlemen, ready and eager to enjoy the frolic and equally ready and eager to take their opinions ready made | from a few adroit leaders. While the 1 tumult of the brass bands and the shouting of the paraders distracts and | amuses the rank and file of the dele gates, a few long headed allies who l for years have directed, our national 1 conventions will meet behind tightly 1 closed doors. When their delibera- tions are concluded the word will | 'deftly be passed around and the we'll 1 meaning delegates will fall quickly 1 into line, imbued with a profound con- | viction that they have actually par ticipated in the manifestation when, 1 as a matter of fact, they have merely l been present at the seance.
 Gentlemen every one realizes that | you are leaders, not followers. Every l one realizes that each one of you to- 1 ence for the presidency Why not tell | the public what that preference is?
 Should you subsequently, change | your minds in the light of later de- l velopments, no one would or could | accuse you of an intention to de- ceive.
 You ask the voters to trust to your good judgment. Why not give them l an intimation of what that judgment is, so that they can decide whether they prefer your candidate to Theo- dore Roosevelt? Very truly yours, (Signed)
 GRAFTON D. CUSHING
 CHARLES SUMNER. BIRD
 AUGUSTUS P. GARDNER
 RORERT M WASHED