Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-21
His Selection in Senatorial Cau-
Gus Reveals Peculiar Condi-
ton in Iowa Politics
DR,FrED AWAY FROM PEOPLE
Charged That the Senator Has Alb.
sorbed Too Much of the Washington
Atmosphere-Ais Election Assured
Because Of tho Feeling That the Par
ty in Iowa Was Pledged to Him.
pecial to Times-Republican.

Special to TimeS-RepupllCan.
Des Moines, Jan. 21.-The senatorial
question will be disposed of this ev-
ening at caucus of republicans OF
the legislature held in the house cham
Der. Today, as two months ago, it is
certain that Senator Jonathan p. Dol
liver will be renominated, and his cleo
ton will follow in due order.
But it Is also true, as 1t has been
for many months, and as 1T was es-
pecially during the progress of the last
campaign, that there are a majority or
the members of the legislature who
will vote for Dolliver under protest and
with mental reservations. He will be
elected solely and alone because OF q
feeling that in some way the republi-
can party of the state is pledged to him
and that it would be a breach OF faith
with the republican voters for this
legislature to not re-elect him.
This state of affairs, somewhat new
in the state, arises, so 1t Is stated by
the legislative leaders, not because of
any lack Of appreciation of the abilities
and wide experience Of the junior sem
ator, nor yet because OF desire for
revenge on the part of disappointed
persons, nor because of the ambition of
cause of a feeling among the members,
which they say reflects feeling among
their constituents, that Senator Dolli-
yer has been afflicted with the blight Of
the Washington atmosphere and has
drifted away from the people SO that
he no longer represents their views
and their desires.
Whatever OF movement there has
been, therefore. as outlined by some OF
the leaders, Is a negative one and rep
resents rather a protest than other-
wise; and it is because Of this fact that
1t will have no fruition other than a.
possible demonstration OF the earnest
ness of the republicans OF their state
in their demal. for a forward step.
During the past ten days, since the
senatorial matter has been uppermost
in the minds of the people. there has
been a good deal Of discussion of the
matter in small conferences. The first
open step looking to see If q basis
could not be found for the defeat OF
Dolliver, came about ten days ago
when a number Of the legislators who
have been aligned with the railroad or
anti Cummins crowd, sent word to
some of the progressives that they
were ready to do business At informal
dinners and in small rooms negotia-
lions were carried on.
That this has been a serious matter
is indicated by the fact that one of the
leaders of the antis who has had a great
deal to do with the matter is none
other than James G. Davis, attorney
for the Northwestern, who is more
trusted by the standpatters than any
other On the other hand ex-State
Auditor G. G.. Mccarthy, a consistent
friend of Governor Cummins, but who
could not be said to speak for the gov
ernor in any way, has been in frequent
consultation with those interested.
These are only two of the persons in
terested in the movement, but many
have been consulted.
It is true, strange as 1t may seem to
many persons, that the Blythe influence
here, insofar as there is such thing,
has been from the first in favor of de-
feating Dolliver even il it be necessary
to elect Cummins. 1t is known that
another element in the case is the hos
pitality Of Col. Hepburn to Dolliver. He
has denounced Dolliver more than any
other and the attitude of almost the
entire Eighth district delegation reflects
his views. 1t is stated that Col. Hep
burn sent word that for the purpose of
defeating Dolliver he would be for
Cummins for senator, but would do
this with the understanding that for
ever afterwards he would fight Cum
minis oh all occasions.
One element which entered into the