Senator Works Has New Idea.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 16, 1912:
No Republican Candidate, He Says, and Electors Could Vote for Wilson.
    WASHINGTON, July 15.— Senator Works of California, a progressive Republican, in a statement to-day declared that the promoters of the "new party " would be guilty of dishonorable dealings if they should attempt to retain control of the Republican machinery in States where the progressive faction controlled the Republican Party.
    Senator Works declared that neither Taft nor Roosevelt had been legally nominated; that the Republican Party had no legal nominee, and that voters were free to vote for whom they chose. He said that this was no time, to form a new party. "That," he said, "must come later."
    Senator Works reviewed the Chicago Convention, and said in part:
    "So it became a fight to a finish just as malicious and just as disgraceful as the campaign that preceded it. The Roosevelt forces practically bolted. Taft received the vote of those who remained. The delegates who voted for the resolution nominating Roosevelt were wholly without authority to act in any such way, being duly elected and accredited delegates to the National Republican Convention.
    "So the Republican Party has no candidate for President. Its members may vote for the Democratic nominee or an independent candidate without leaving or breaking faith with their own party, because it has no candidate.
    "But the Roosevelt followers are so indignant and wild with passion that they are not content with this Independent course. Nothing but a brand-new party will satisfy their wrath.
    "If, in the progressive States, a new party is formed it must of necessity be made up in whole or in part of the men now composing the Republican Party in those States. They cannot remain on committees, in State or county, of the Republican Party and at the same time act with the new party. This would be treachery of the worst kind. It would dishonor their new party at the very beginning.
    "If they attempt, by direct or indirect means, to hold on to the machinery or office of the old party, while working with or for a new one, or its establishment, they can no longer cry 'thief' to the men they charge with stealing delegates at Chicago, and no man of right political principles can consistently support their new party."
    Senator Works said that the alternative for Republicans was to "rebuke corrupt politics " if they did not believe Taft was honestly nominated, by refraining from voting for him, by voting for the Democratic candidate, or by voting for Roosevelt or some one else as an independent candidate.