Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-02-07
WANTCONGER TORUN.
Say He Would Avert a fractional
Fight in Republican Party.
COULD EASILY GET THE NOMINATION
Is Said That Heated Contest is In
evitable Should Minister conger
Refuse to Allow His Name to 30
Presented to the Convention.

Des Moines, Feb. 5.-There is more
than probability that an attempt
VIII be made to avert bitter disa-
greeable and expensive fractional
hight in the republican party over the
governorship by inducing Minister
Conger to become candidate for the
nomination.
1t was suggested in conference
that a cablegram be sent to Minister
Conger, and the proposed solution is
now being considered by the leaders.
1t is expected that a decision will be
reached at a general conference to be
held early this week. While the Cum
Minis and anti-Cummins factions have
been ltresa Ing, for the test of strength
that they knew would come when
candidate for governor was to be Sc
lected, yet neither side welcomed the
contest when it was precipitated by
the knocking out of the Titus amend
ment by the supreme court.
Both factions had quite enough of
light when the long drawn out sena-
torial contest closed a few months
ago, and it was some consolation to
both that the Titus amendment, what
ever might be its satisfactory features
would at least postpone the election
or governor one year and thus give
the worn out contestants a rest. But
now that the leaders on both sides
have been made to face another Sc
we're contest by the action of the SUI
preme court they will look with favor
upon the alternative proposed Satur-
day, and it is more than probable that
within few days a cablegram will be
sent to Minister Conger asking if he
oil low - l.. 4
sured that it is the wish of both fac
lions that he do so.
Letters We're sent to Minister Con-
ger some weeks ago in anticipation OF
the defeat of the Titus amendment.
in which the situation was thoroly ex.
planned to him by politicians in
whose friendship and wisdom he
must have complete confidence, and
he will thus be prepared to act upon
the cablegram promptly and intelli-
gently.
Minister Conger is the only man
thus far named who could secure the
nomination without a bitter contest.
The leaders of both factions concede
that he would be a compromise candi-
date in the fullest sense and would
have little or no opposition. He has
close friends among the leaders on
| both sides and his candidacy, il it
should not mean all that some might
| wish. would be preferable to another
season of bitter strife.
If Minister Conger should decline
to allow the use of his name heated
contest will be inevitable. There APP
pears to be no longer any doubt that
Governor Shaws friends are holding
him back, fearful that the prejudice
existing against a third term would
be an insuperable obstacle.
| Mr.. Cummins personally does not
| wish to sacrifice his immense law prac-
| tice to become a candidate, but will
do so unless compromise candidate
is selected. If neither Cummins nor
Shaw enter the race, and if compro-
mise is not reached, Hull may enter
the field 1t is not believed he will
| become candidate unless it should
appear certain he can win. He would
be inclined to take few chances, for
the reason he regards his reelection
to congress as assured, and would not
throw aside certainty for an uncer-
tainty, much as he might desire to be
| governor of Iowa.
Senator Hartman of Hampton and
George D. Perkins of Sioux City are
being mentioned as the candidates for
| anti-Cummins forces, but there is no
| evidence that the leaders have settled
upon anyone. Senator Healy of Fort
Dodge, ex-Congressman Curtis of
Clinton, Senator Funk of Spirit Lake,
and ex-Representative Byers of Har-
Ian are talked of as candidates for the
| Cummins faction, but the indications
are that these men will insist upon
| Mr.. Cummins himself entering the
| field. 1t is accepted that no Cum
Minis man will stand for the nominal
ton if Cummins can be induced to