Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-16
Appears Now As If Conte,. :
s.
Would Be Progressiv $
Against Reactionaries
LOCATION MAY NOT COUNT
Therefore Friends Of Governor Cum
minis Say He Might Win Presidential
Nomination - Others insistent That
Candidate Will Not Be Called From
lowa-some History in 1906.
Special to Times-Republican.

Des Moines, Dec. 16.-The two class
es of politicians have never been dis
closed in more marked degree in this
state than during the last few days in
the discussion over the question OF
Cummins' candidacy for president.
There are those who declare that Cum
Minis does not stand any chance what
ever simply because the nomination
will never be brought west. There are
those who say that he stands just as
good show as any one yet mentioned
because it Is a free for all race.
The real principle that underlies the
question Of the governors chances is
tile question of the nature Of the fight
that will be made in the convention
for the nomination.
"Will the naming of the next presf-
dent be contest between the naming
of a progressive of the Roosevelt type
and reactionary of the Fairbanks or
Cannon type? Or will it be contest to
name the man who by reasons of his
geographical location has residence
in state that is doubtful and where
greatest strength can be added to the
ticket for that reason"
This question was asked Of a prom
inent progressive and at once he an
swered that It would be fight be-
tween the nomination of progressive
and reactionary. The name Of the
man who gave the reply need not be
given for any progressive would give
the same answer.
The same question was asked Of q
standpatter and he at once replied that
presidential nominations are always
the result of compromise more or less
and thas the party leaders always
choose man from a doubtful state
who will add the greatest strength to
the party and that no radical man of
any type can expect to be nominated
Any standpatter would give the same
reply.
Progressives insist that the old ideas
have suffered great defeat in the last
few years and that noe on has done
more to that end than has the presi-
uSllls ACy OCAAOfC SLebI LILO uoy 10
past forever when the party. or any
party will name candidate because
he comes from some doubtful state or
because Of manipulation of the old
methods of political wire pulling. They
declare that the country has reached
place where the principles Of the
candidate and not the geography of his
residence will be the controlling mat
ter in his selection and for that rea-
son they see possibilities in the can
didacy OF Cummins for president. They
are sure that in the end the stand
patters and corporation interests will
center their strength on some such
man as Fairbanks, Cannon or Shaw
and that the progressives will center
their strength on some such man as
Cummins, Taft or La Toilette, and on
that line the battle will be fought in
the convention.
Had Secretary Taft shown greater
strength from the first it is more than
likely that the candidacy of Governor
Cummins would not at this time have
been so strongly urged. 1t is be-
cause of a feeling that Taft cannot
win that the friends of Governor Cum
minis in other western states have been
urging him to enter the race and it is
their enthusiasm for him that is
causing his name to be talked of at
this time for the place.
The publication by Senator Dolliver
of the letter from Governor Cummins
to Willard H. Torbett, of Dubuque, as
defense for his statement in Council
Bluffs that Cummins had given his
written pledge not to be candidate
against Senator Allison, is reviving
recollections as to the occurrences of
that year.
The letter from Governor Cummins
to Mr.. Torbett was written in the
spring of 1906 The legislature was in
Minis announcement of his candidacy
for governor was made during the ses-
sion of the legislature. Senator Dolli-
yer was a candidate for reelection.
His campaign and that of the governor
were at the same time and the COVER
nor distinctly stated that he favored
Delivers reelection. Senator Alli-
son was not candidate at that time.
The legislature which would elect him
has not been chosen yet and the cam
paign for the election of the legisla-
ture that will select the successor to
Allison is hardly opened now and will
not be for some months.
When solicited to make a statement
as to Delivers successor the governor
stated in public speech that he fa-
yored Delivers reelection. When So
licited to make a statement as to Alli-
son he said 1t was DrepoSterouS and
that he might just as we'll deny being
a candidate for president at that time.
1t will be recalled furthermore that
the attention of the state was centered
on Dubuque county because of the fact
that Fred Kretschmer, who was given
the Dubuque county delegation of
state treasurer on the understanding
that he name Cummins delegation
sold out to Ed Hunter, manager for