The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-29
MR.. CONGER FOR GOVERNOR.
His Friends In Iowa Regard Him
suifnbIe Mnn.

| DIES MOINI.,. April 2s.-The return to
this State of Edwin II. Conger. Minister
| ofthe United States 10 China. accompanied
| by his family. win be like that of vic
| torious military commander after sue
cessfui campaign. Minister Conger. al
| ready the idol of thousands of Iowa men
who have known him a lifetime, Is re-
| garded now. since his terrible experiences
| during the siege of the legations at Pc
Kin. as something Of a hero, and In a
way, it is felt here at his home that his
| return while the peace negotiations are
yet pending is unfair to him and that a
proper demonstration in his favor would
| go far to assure the Administration that
the people have unbounded confidence In
Mr.. Conger as a man and as a diplomat
There is a spontaneous uprising in Iowa
in favor of Mr.. ConGer. and 1t viii prob
ably sweep him into the Office of Gov
ernor with or without his consent.
When Mr.. Conger and his family arrive
at the borders of the State. they will be
met by many Iowa citizens. who will go
to Council Bluffs on special trains. and
there will be a formal welcome home. A
special train will be at the disposal of
the Minister and his family to bring them
to Des Moines. This train will make three
or four stops. where there will be inform
al receptions to Mr.. Conger. Committees
of the Grand Army of the Republic and
political clubs have the arrangements In
charge and are planning to make the
event one long to be remembered. In Des
Moines the State capitol has been placed
at the disposal of the, committees and
public reception will be given there, and
this will be followed by many social func
tons.
Inasmuch as the delegates are now be-
ing selected to the Republican State con-
vention, and as Mr.. Conger has been re-
garded as a receptive candidate for Gov
ernor. it is probable that the demonstra-
tons for Mr.. Conger will end in his nomi-
nation. There are now six avowed candi-
dates in the field, no one of whom has
the strength to win, and every one of
whom is Objectionable to one or more fac
tons of the party. Before any Of the
candidates were announced Representa-
tive Hun had written to Mr.. Conger ask
ing him to become candidate and had
received a cable reply in which Mr.. Con-
ger said he would accept a nomination,
but would make no fight for the place.
This despatch was held back until three
candidates had announced themselves.
Each one had said ne would ~: y a can
didate If Mr.. Conger was candidate
Since then the number OF candidates has
increased 10 six, but the canvass has been
fruitess thus far. because all are waiting
to see what Mr.. Conger will do. If he con-
sents to be candidate several Will with
draw in his favor, and the others will be
forced out of the race. The fight in the
party at this time has become bitter, ow-
ing to factionalism from other campaigns.
Mr.. Conger has been out of the State so
much that he is not identified with any
faction and would be acceptable to all
He is the most popular man of the State
today. and since he became so conspicu-
a peH a
increased. If nominated the Republicans
claim he will have at least $500 mapority.