Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-03


Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, March 3.-What is the
political situation in Iowa at the pres
ent time especially as 1t relates to tn.
fight for governor and control Of the
party?
The question was fairly put to a
politician Of state wide influence and
conservative judgment, man right
from the reservation" whose inclina-
tions would lead him in the direction
of the Blythe faction as against the
other republicans.
But it looks to me like close and a
bitter fight and that it must be fought
out in every part of the state. It is
no longer sectional Three-fourths Of
the counties Of the state are fighting
ground. 1 believe that while Cummins
will probably lose to Perkins some Of tina
strength he formerly had In northern
Iowa, he will be able to take from
Blythe some Of the counties in the
southern part of the state which were
never before for him. Neither side can
yet claim 'walkaway' in the con-
test
And this is the view of a conser-
vative man, as stated before, aligned
with the Blythe faction. But it repre-
sents the views Of good man. On the
whole, it is felt by discerning persons
who rise above the chickering's Of the
petty politicians of the legislature that
events in the legislature since the
campaign opened have been beneficial
to Governor Cummins in his campaign
and in some measures detrimental to
Mr.. Perkins and the factional con-
tingent back Of him. And more than
this, there is evidence which Is ac-
cumulating, that in many counties of
the state where the Blythe people have
hitherto had their own way undisputed
there is such discomfort with the con-
tinued bossism as to assure real con-
tests.
Now that the effort Of the Blythe
managers to bring about fight
against Cummins and in behalf of Per-
kins by the Dolliver influence in north
ern Iowa has fallen fiat, the situation
in that section is somewhat cleared
Governor Cummins appears to have
made good in the Tenth and Eleventh
districts. It does not appear that
Perkins has made any material gains
anywhere, and the confidence ex-
pressed by his managers in his ability
to sweep the entire Eleventh district
has been rudely shattered.
In regard to the situation In the
Tenth district as left by reason Of the
Fort Dodge love feast participated in
by the friends of the governor and of
the junior senator, the local Blythe
organ has made, the suggestion that the
effect can be counteracted only by an
address in behalf of the Blythe move
nent in Fort Dodge, and it virtually
calls for another mass meeting with
speech. But who is to do the talking
The opponents Of Cummins admit that
it would not do to start Perkins out
on a campaign of speech making to
follow Cummins over the state. He
could not hope to have any such meet
ings as Cummins. The suggestion has
been looked upon as an effort to force
Perkins on the stump under circum-
stances that would be to his disadvan.
tage. It is well known that while
Young is bitterly opposed to Cummins
for personal reasons he is not enam-
ored of Perkins, and would at heart
like to see the Perkins movement break
down early. He had an ambition to
become the Blythe candidate and he
felt that he was entitled to it, so his
friends have said, and he had fairly in
dicated in his paper his dfsappoint-
ment over the turn affairs have taken.
Now it is limited that he would like
to have matters come round so that
the man to be pitted against the gov
ernor on the stump should be none
other than Young. OF course it would
be incongruous to try this unless
Young was himself an avowed candi-
date for the place with sufficient back
ing to make him formidable. But
there is an unquestioned desire on the
part Of the Blythe people to get some
body on the stump to offset the work
accomplished by the governor in his
public meetings. Just how it is to be
done has not yet been shown.
Another th1ng winch gives eDcouf-
agement to the friends of Young is that
il there is to be any show Of strength
in Polk county against Cummins 1t
must be with his name. 1t is not pos
sible. under the present law, to get the
name of Perkins on the primary ballot
in Polk county. All names must be
those of qualified voters in the county.
A standpat movement to have the
law changed so that Perkins name
could go before the voters OF the coun-
tv was started last week. 1t will not
be opposed by Cummtns' friends who
would court a show Of strength as be-
tween him and either Perkins or
Young. But as the law is now. the only
way to make show against Cum
minis here is to use Young's name.
A bit Of information has just reached