The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-03-31

Since the opening OF the presidential
campaign months ago, there has been a
difference among republicans IN regard
to their respective presidential prefer
ences, and this difference has led to
heated controversy in many instances.
But while the presidential outcome was
the ostensible cause OF difference, the
real ground Of disagreement lay deeper
and more personal. There was not one
OF the presidential candidates contended
for but what could and would be grace.
fully and heartily endorsed by every re-
publican %contending for a different
choice. were he to receive the nomina-
ton. There were certain elements at
work in the republican party Of this
state during the Legislative contest a
year ago over the railroad question,
which brought out clearly defined issues
that must be met in the coming state
campaign il the republican party would
square itself with the people and gain a
victory. One Of these is whether the re-
publican party will enact legislation con
trolling corporations more closely in the
interest Of the people or be itself con-
trolled In its Legislative actions by cor
porate influence as in the case OF the last
legislature. A large share of the voters
OF the republican party were quietly
treasuring the memory Of the last legis-
lature until they came to reotify the
mistakes If Ii !ear or more ago. An
other part, perhaps "a minor share, are at
vari"nue with IA majority OF the party,
on tie uIoney question in desiring a
fuller recognition Of the legitimate use
of silver as money.
These were the state aud national is
sues occupying the minds OF Dakota re-
publicans when the local fight between
Senate Pettlgrew ana his enemies
broke out in Mlnnehaha county. The
te Iator had his W presidential prefer
ence as he or any other republican had a
perfect right to have, AMI We have seen
no valid evidence TO prove that he at
tempted to enforce that choice upon any
body else. His personal enemies, be-
cause his choice differed from that OF
many Of his party at home, sought the
opportunity to net only thwart him in
his presidential choice but to restrain
his efforts in behalf Of a larger use OF
the white metal in our monetary sys-
ten, by preventing him from going to
the national convention where he might
work for both. As circumstances would
have it, these enemies Of Mr.. P~sttigrew
in Minuehaha county and throughout
the state, were largely identified as the
agents Of tho corporations who deieatsd
the legislstion 90 loudly demanded by
the people at Pierre last winter. and Mr..
PsttiosAw sdfoitly turned this fact tc
his own advantage in the home fight FOL
delegations to the state conventions al
Huron and Aberdeen, routing the enc
my horse, foot aud dragon. He went
to Huron where he scquiesosd IN tht
will OF the majority ss to Q presidentia
choice, many republicans who we're moi
Pettigrew adherents feeling as sore ovel
that choice - NJ. Psttigrsw did, snt
which, moro than likely before the st
Louis convention u Over, will b seen 4
have ben ssrsst mistake Of the jingo
ists. In endorsiDgs the bimetallic planl
Of the Minneapolis platform, Mr.. Petit
grew suIsrs no humiliation in his posi-