Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-21
THEFICHT WARNS UP.
Five Candidates for Governor Now
In the Field.
SITUATION BECOMING MORE COMPLEX
Other State Officers Also in Demand,
but the Contest for Head of che
Ticket Excites the Chief Interest
United Against Cummins.

Des Moines, March 19.-The field of |
candidates Cor state offices is already |
much larger than had been expected.
and with each addition the situation
becomes more complex and more in
teresting. There are five avowed can
didates for governor, three for lieu
tenant governor. five for supreme
Judge, and two for state superintend-
ent of public instruction. The list for,
governor is likely to be increased to
seven, and it is claimed by some there
will be additional candidates for lieu
tenant governor.
For governor, Perkins, Hartman.
and Foster are supposed to draw their
strength largely from the same wing
of the party, and it is expected their
candidacy will, therefore. be mutually
helpful. Herriott's friends are be-
lieved to stand for Cummins for sec
common saying, "the field against
him" seems to fit his case.
Owing to the number of candidates
lit is believed Cummias has more
votes in sight than any other candi-
date. This, however, does not mean
that he is the strongest for to be in
the lead at this stage has it's disad-
vantages as well as it's advantages.
No Nomination on First Ballot
| 1t is certain that if the convention
were to be held today a nomination
would not be made on the first ballot,
and unless the conditions change Mr.
| Cummins' chances will be increased
or lessened according to his ability to-
gather in second choiey votes.
On the other hand. While the oppo-
sition to Cuinmins will be able to pre-
went his nomination OH the opening
ballot, it will be obliged at some stage
tcf the fight to center upon one of the
candidates. The chances for a Veto
Try depend upon the ability to trans
fer the votes of the several candidates
at will When this transfer is attempt
ed the critical point will have been
Preached. 1t is here that the candi-
date having the strongest second
choice strength will be developed.
Mr.. Herriott's friends say they look
for deadlock in the convention be-
tween the Cummins and anti-Cum-
minis forces, in which case. according
ito their theory. Mr.. Herriott will be
nominated They assert that the 9th
ers' followers would go TO Herriott "a.
! Their than Cummins, and that the Cum
mins men would go to Ferriott before
they would support any other candi-
| date. ana it is chiefly upon this sup
nosed state of affairs their hopes for
success rest.
The five sections of the state that
have candidates for supreme Judge
probably will feel disposed to give
1some aid to the candidate for govern
or who appears to be able to assist
them most in landing their local IA
yorites: therefore, the iudgeship may
have en- important part in determin-
ling the govarnorsfip fight The can
Gidate for governor having the largest
number of votes which he can trade
1 will, of course, derive the greatest
1 benefit from the judgeshin situation.
4 The candidates for lieutenant gov
crnor are not allied with either side
4 to the governorship fight. Penrose is
4 a resident of Tama county, where
Mowry, candidate for railroad COM
missioner, resides, and their candida
cies must necessarily conflict to a
greater or less degree Thompson
comes from Perkins district, but he
| is not regarded as menace to the
latter, owing to his own statement in
i the matter. But Brown, the eleventh
district candidate for railroad com
missioner, declares it to be his pur-
pose to secure as many delegations
| for himself in his district as possible,
SO it is plain he and his friends will
rot regard the governorship as of par
amount Importance. Browns candi-
dacy is expected to divide the elev-
enth, but what portion he will receive
and what part will support Perkins is
not known.
/ Delegates to Number 1,640.
| If the state central committee does
mot change the basis of representation
1.-THE republican state convention will
have 1,640 delegates. The convention
last year had 1927. That 1,640 dele
gates will make an unweildy body is
not denied bu. the state committee,
according to the statements of mem
bers, will hardly change the ratio. The
question of change has been before
two state conventions in late years,
1.-THE proposition being defeated in each
instance.
| There is another reason why the
committee will not care to make
change. Already the sixth district.
many counties of which would have
their representation reduced if the ba-
sis were to be changed. is sending in
protests, and the same is true of 9TH
er sections where like result would
follow. Members of the committee
representing localities where there
were large republican gains at the
last election would be free to vote foe
a change. but not so with the others.
Congressman Hulls statement that
4 he would maintain neutrality in the
gopernorship fight has brought about
calm in Polk county.