Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-03-03
CANE IS Up 70 HULL
Much Nervousness Over Out
come of Republican County
Convention Saturday
HULL IN FAVOR OF HARMONY
And the Keeping of All Pledges Sacred
ly, But Great Pressure is Being
Brought to Bear Upon the Congress
man BY Those Who Wish to Make
War on Governor cummins.
Special to Times Republican.

war on Governor CUMMINGS
Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, March 3.--The repub-
lican county convention is to be held
in Des Moines next Saturday. There
is a good deal of nervousness as to just
what that convention will do. 1t has
been we'll stated that the convention
has it in its power TO go far toward
promoting harmony in this county and
in the state, or to do much toward
tanning into a blaze the smouldering
embers of past political fire. Those
who have been watching the course of
affairs in Des Moines the past two
weeks are aware that the situation is
critical. 1t was critical before the re-
publican primary. and even more so
now. AS rule the great majority of
the more conservative republicans OF
Polk county are well satisfied with the
results of the primary election and sin
Cerely hopeful that the clearing up
which was done on election day shall
result in permanent and lasting re-
form; but If one may judge from the
statements of scores of these same
persons, they are fearful lest the swing
OF the pendulum has merely indicated
the beginning of new struggle in a
different way. The situation may be
summed up fairly and dispassionately
rs follows:
The congressional fight was strictly
and solely between Hull and Prouty,
with factional lines much broken down.
and yet a general alignment Of the
Cummins and anti Culnmins forces, SO
far as there is any such alignment pos
sible.
Before the committees got fairly
started overtures We're made by both
sides to gain the favor or the neutrali-
~ Of Governor Cummins. The pres
sure from the Prouty people to force
the governor to come out for him was
much stronger than two years ago.
But the governor decided on neutrality
for himself and steadfastly maintained
that position.
Before the lists of delegates were an
nounced both lists, those of the Hull
men and of the Prouty men, were sub
n1itted to the governor by the campaign
committees. He approved both. He
was assured that no matter which
delegation won in the congressional
fight the county convention would be
for Governor Cummifis as much as If
he had made the fight and won.
On both lists of delegates there were
both Cummins and -Cummins
men; but all were solemnly pledged to
the governor. and this on the under
standing that the governor should not
speak for Prouty nor participate in
the campaign.
Immediately it was found that the
convention would be in the hands OF
the Hull delegates, on the night of
election, a cry went up from the more
radical of the adherents of Hull, who
had become embittered by the fierce
ness of the campaign. that since Hull
had won and it was undoubtedly true
that Cummins was personally friend
of Proutv, the convention should pro-
coed at once to select an anti Cummins
delegation. refuse to permit the gov
ernor to go to the state convention at
all, and to rub it in" by resolutions
condemning the reciprocity feature of
the platform which Governor Cummins
endorsed last year.
AS a justification for this 1t was
pointed out that Governor Cummins.
as he did two years ago on the eve of
the election, went to public meeting
and listened to addresses by Judge
Prouty and his friends. It was further
pointed out that his brother-in-law,
the republican nominee for alderman
at-large, wrote confidential letter
asking a friend to vote for Prouty and
Indicating that this would be pleasing
to the governor. 1t was further pointed
out that very many of the Cummins
men Of the city, in official positions and
out, favored the election of Prouty.
Immediately following the election
meetings were held to plan for action
looking to putting an end to Gov
ernor Cummins' political life. The
moving spirits We're James G. Berry
hill, George L. Dobson. q. II.
Hunter, Charles Johnson, A. L. Hagar.
LATE Young and a few others
On the other hand there were
equally good friends Of Hull who
counseled otherwise. Among these
and Senator C. c. Dowell, ex-State
Auditor Mccarthy, Carroll Wright.
Judge John L Ollie and others. They
were Hull men and Cummins men.
They believed the compact should be
kept. They refused to countenance
factionalism.
Meetings were held, conferences ar
ranged, and much talk in the Hobbies
and on the streets and at the clubs.
If the counsels of the radicals prevail
there will be fight at the convention:
II the counsels of the conservatives
are listened to, there will be only mar
mony.
At present it is clearly and un-
mistakably up to Captain Hull to de-
eide what shall be done. He is I'M
derstood to be in favor of harmony
and the keeping of all pledges sac
redly He discounts the effort to
stir up strife after 1t is all over. II
he is firm in that position and re-
fuses to permit his followers In the
convention to make war on Govern
or Cummins they will desist. But
the greatest pressure is being brought
TO bear on the congressman and he
may yield. On the other hand it IS
regarded as possible that the dele
gates he has selected will not hee