Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 143, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1912 — FIGHT FOB DELEGATES BEFORE CONVENTION. [ARTICLE]

FIGHT FOB DELEGATES BEFORE CONVENTION.

Roosevelt Given 12 Votes Thursday— Taft Has So Far Secured 150 of the Contested Votes. The national .cqmqiittee continues its sessions to settle all the delegate disputes prior to the meeting of the national convention. Of the 254 contests filed all have been decided except *B2. Taft received 159 of the delegates and Roosevelt received 13. Prior to Thursday he had received but 1, but during that day he was given 12, being the 4 at large and 2 from each the first and fifth Missouri districts and 2 each from the third anff ninth of North Carolina. Taft was awarded two each from the second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth districts of Mississippi and 2 each from the third, seventh and fourteenth Missouri districts. Missouri has been regarded as a battle ground and serious conflict in the national committee was feared, but the result was brought about by compromise in old republican style and the best of feeling was evident when the committee adjourned at 3:30 for the day. Other compromises are expected. There are 82 contests still pending.

The outcome between the two leading candidates is still very uncertain. If Taft can retain all the instructed delegates, With those already awarded to him and a majority of the 82 still pending and the pledges of the uninr structed delegates are made good, he will be nominated. The Roosevelt backers, however, claim that they can see victory ahead. The futility of a lot of contests brought by the Roosevelt forces is the most striking thing connected with the contests, and practically all the charges proved very frail and in many instances the Roosevelt members of the national committee voted with the Taft forces and seated Taft-delegates. The Record-Herald, of Chicago, editorially has the following to say about the allegation that steam roller practiced have been in vogue “As an independent and unprejudiced newspaper, the Roeord Herold is free to state that’ft has not apologized, and would not condone or apologize, for a single unfair or “raw” decision of the republican national committee. Had there been any "strongarm” work, any “steam-roljer” tactics, the Record-Herald would have been among the first to warn and protest Tn the name of political morality as well as mere party expediency. What are the facts, what Is the plain truth? “Of the eighty-four contested seats passed on by the national committee up to Monday evening four presented the appearance of merit to the “Roosevelt members.” In all the' other cases the decisions were unanimous. In the four doubtful cases Committeeman Rogers, of Wisconsin, a LaFollette supporter, stated the weight of evidence to have been on the Taft side. In the ninth Alabama district congest Committeeman Lyon, of Texas, a R&osexflliTJtalwart, voted with the majority. / « “A decent regard for ordinary honesty should have restrained even violent partisans from yelling murder, theft .and fraud, from denouncing crimes never threatened, from indulging in threats and bluster apropos of a “steam roller” that no one had yet seen, heard or smelled. Yet we read of petitions to committeemen begging or warning them not to “continue” to do—what? We read of decisions to “bolt” if the committee “persists” in—what? In rendering unanimous decisions, or in giving honest judgment in accordance with the weight of the evidence? “The Record-Herald is booming no cppdidacy of its own. It stands for justice, truth and honor in the present situation. It is bound to state that the republican national committee up to this date has discharged Its obligations impartially and honorably.” “Give the committe fair play."