The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 80, July 1976 - April, 1977 Page: 37
492 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Disputed Delegates in 1912
with Lyon's help, but information they received in 1911 indicated that the
Texan's loyalty to Theodore Roosevelt was more powerful than his ties
to the president. Taft's personal secretary, Charles D. Hilles, lunched with
Lyon for two hours in June and learned that "he will not be able to take
an instructed delegation to the Convention for the President" because of
unhappiness over the appointment of a Democrat to a federal judgeship
and because of Taft's stand on Canadian reciprocity. In August Hilles
asked another Texas Republican: "If at the next National Republican
Convention, someone rises and shouts: 'Hurrah for Roosevelt,' and Cecil
is there, and with him an uninstructed delegation from Texas, what will
he do and what will the delegation do?"o
Apprehension over Lyon's position increased as Roosevelt moved closer
to a presidential race in late 191 1. When the Republican National Com-
mittee met in December, Lyon discussed with other southerners whether
"all delegates to the Convention from the South" should be uninstructed.
This proposal ran counter to the Taft strategy of locking up as many
southern delegates as possible early in the race. Statements from Lyon and
his associates further troubled the Taft camp. Hilles concluded in mid-
January, 1912: "Cecil Lyon is working tooth and nail to get an unin-
structed delegation from Texas.""
Each side in 1912 tended to place the worst interpretation on the other's
motives. Lyon's predicament was more complicated and less sinister than
the Taft men believed. Personal loyalty to Roosevelt dictated that the
Texan keep open his option to support the former president; political
reality indicated that Taft would be the Republican presidential candidate.
"Taft will surely be nominated," said Lyon in December, "and we must
stand firmly for him." An uninstructed delegation was an obvious middle
ground until Roosevelt's entrance or withdrawal clarified matters.'2
As the prospect of a Roosevelt candidacy became more pronounced in
rison to Houser, October 14, 1911, discusses the National Committee, Harrison to
Houser, December 14, 19Ig (quotation); National Progressive Republican League
Records, LaFollette Family Papers, Series J, Box 96; W. M. McDonald to Houser,
September 29, October 3, November 20, December 4, 1911, ibid., Box 97; Hilles to
Bruce, August 9, 1911, Bruce to Hilles, October 28, November 6, 1911, Memorandum,
January 13, 1912, Hilles Papers.
10Memorandum, June 25, 1911 (first quotation), J. O. Terrell to Hilles, January 29,
1912 (second quotation), Hilles Papers, recalled the August talk.
11Dallas Morning News, December 10, 1911, January 12, 1912; Hilles to W. H.
Atwell, February 13, 1912 (first quotation), Hilles to H. D. Taft, January 18, 1912
(second quotation), Webster Flanagan to Hilles, January IO, 1912, Hilles Papers.
12Terrell to Hilles, January 29, 1912 (quotation), J. W. Flanagan to Hilles, January
30, 1912, Hilles Papers.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 80, July 1976 - April, 1977, periodical, 1976/1977; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101204/m1/55/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.