New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-17

Sam Perkins, Of the State or "aShlns
ton.
NO one of these three last men
toned men WAS member OF the Ma
tional Committee of the Republican
party. They are affiliated with the
reactionary wing of the Republican
party. Mr.. Gleason is the acknowl-
edged representative of william
Barnes, jr., of New York. Mr.. Gillette
is n pronounced reactionary kepuoIl-
can of California and the bitter oppo-
nent of Hiram Johnson, who has JusI:
as the openly selected candidate oil
both the Republicans and Progresslves,
been Overwhelmingly elected United
States Senator from California.
"Hemenway and his associates were
careful not to trust these proxies 10
liberal minded Republicans. Although
Mr.. King, the Republican National
Committeeman from Connecticut, ana
Mr.. Hays, the brilliant Republican
state chairman Of Indiana, were IN New
York Yesterday, they were ignored and
not consulted by the executive com
mittee.
"Hemenway and his associates have
for a long time been secretly circulat-
ing stories rejecting on chairman
Wilcox and charging him with respoh,
siblity for having lost the natlOnal
election, whereas they themselves are
solely and wholly responsible Tor tne
defeat Of Mr. Hughes. Mr.. CROKER -
VIGOROUSLY responsible for the loss OF
California Mr.. Sam Perkins, by nus
shortsighted and stupid management
Of affairs in the State Of Washington
lost that state to Mr.. Hughes, whlle
Mr.. Estabrook. by his ignoring OF the
Progressive voters Of New Hampshire,
sacrificed that state.
Humiliating Wilcox
"These men, in yesterday meeting,
by sighting Chairman Wilcox, by at
tempting TO shear him of his power as
chairman Of the National Committee
through the election of yice-chalrman
belonging TO their own group; by es-
tablishing headquarters in Washington
where il would be very inconvonient
for Chairman Wilcox 10 be; by re
strictinR his control of financial ana
publicity matters, endeayored so TO
humiliate him as 10 force has resigna-
ton and allow their man TO assume the
chairmanshlp.
I'VE can testify to the splendid work
accomplished by Chairman Wilcox
His position was most difficult HIS
principal task was to harmonic the
differences between Republicans and
Progressives and TO show the inde-
pendent voters of the country that the
Republican party was liberalized. A
man with less tact, with ,ess tolerance,
with less broadminded and patriotic
spirit, would have failed utterly within
two weeks after he was made chair
man.
"Mr. Wilcox made signal success
Of drawing the Republicans and FRO
greSsives together in every state, ex-
cent in those states where the short
sightedness of those in control OF the
Republican organizations made IT i'm
possible for him TO do so. California
New Hampshire and the state OF
Washington were notable examples OF
this last condition. Yet the men in
control of the organizations in these
three states were the men who yes
terday voted in the executive commit
tee TO humiliate Chairman Wilcox and
/ transfer the blame for the loss OF the
/ election to him.
"The real reason for the opposition
! OF these men to Chairman Wilcox Is
/ the fact that he has tried In every
way TO liberalize the Republican party
/ and make IL responsible TO the wishes
/ of the rank and file of the party
These very men know only too well
I that if Chairman Wilcox succeeded in
his endeavor they instead Of him would
/ be shorn Of power. Therefore, their
/ action of yesterday was one Of pure
/ self-interest, without the slightest re-
gard to the welfare of their party or
1 their country.
"The executive committee. which
I took this action yesterday, was hand
/ picked by Murray Crane, of Massachu-
sets. Immediately after the national
/ convention in Chicago last June. From
that day to this he has connived Sc
cretly in every possible way 10 keep
/ the machinery of the Republican party
f in the hands of himself, Hemenway
Barnes, Croker, Sam Perkins and
Martin. These men care nothing what
/ ever for anything save the continution
/ of themselves IN the positions of party
/ power. During the campaign last fall
] we knew what these men represented
3 but we believed that Mr.. Hughes knew
what they represented also, and that
/ his election was sure wav of strip
/ ping them of their power in the Re-
/ publican party.
1--WE believe that the countrys best
} and broadcast interests require the