The Washington times., 1908-10-12


William Peters Hepburn. member Of
tha House from the Eighth Iowa dis
trict, chairman Of the Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce, and
one OF the most conspicuous figures on
the Republican side in the lower body
Of Congress. has a large and varie-
gated assortment OF trouble on his
hands 1t is talked IN both Republican
and Democratic circles that Colonel
Hepburn may meet his waterloo IN
this campaign.
A close struggle IS now on IN the
district, and while Colonel Hepburn in
recent years has been elected by sub
stantial pluralities, he is now hard
pressed, and it Is regarded here as Ger
tain that II he escapes actual defeat
he will find himself returned to Con-
gress by a narrow margain.
Until lately II has been pretty gener-
ally supposed that Colonel Hepburn was
safe. Now Il is admitted by the Re
publican leaders here that the Eighth
district IS ona Of the weak spots OF
Iowa. so far as the Congressional ticket
Is concerned. 1t may be expected that
the struggle OF Representative Hep
burn 70 save himself from defeat will
attract national notice. for the reason
that he is extremely prominent because
- his committee position In connection
with all matters Of railroad and COM
MERGE l"zi,lJ-I'H
He has been high In Republican coun-
sells in the House for years. although
at times inclined 70 rebel against the
rules and against the power Of the
Speaker. and he has been generally
recognized as one Of the ablest rough
and-ready dcbaters that ever was hon
ored with the House membership.
Effect of Cummins Fight.
The dangerous position in which
Colonel Hepburn finds himself is in
some degree an outgrowth OF the pro-
tracted faCtionaI war that has ragged
for wears in Iowa between the Cum
minis and the anti-Cummins forces, or
the progressives and the standpat-
tiers
one OF the first results Of the growth
Of the progressive movement was 10
force out Of Congress Col. David B.
Henderson, former Speaker OF the
House long Representative from the
Third district This was followed oy
the defeat at the polls two years ago
Of Major John F. Lacey, who had long
represented the Sixth district IN the
House.
Then came the retirement OF Repre-
sentative Cousins. OF the Ftfth district
and Representative BirdsaH, or the
Third district, both Of whom. ana par
ticuIarIy Cousins. were opposed oy me
r.0gresslves In the primaries OF the
Seventh district a few months ago. KEEP
resentative Hull narrowly escaped De-
ing beaten. a large share Of the pro-
gresslves OF the district turning against
/ him. Now Col Hepburn is In Jeopardy
About the time the fight began IN
/ Congress for railroad rate legislation
Representative Hepburn was freely
charged by his opponents in the district
and in the state with being a railroad
sympathizer-
the Government regulation Of rates;
,,,,e ve1tirnert for such legislation
/ grew strong in his district ana II WIS
rot long until Col Hepburn became ouS
OF the active champions CT ialiI oelu az -
| Iegislatfou and one OF the closest adElS-
1 ers Of the President or The SUBJECT his
course. howeve-, has not served tuSiI e
" to still the opposition OF inc IdulCat
Republicans. They feel that IN me- g.. %
/ Col. Hepburn has ranged nlmselI on the
/ So 81 Inc standpatre-s and has seldl I'm
overlooked an opportunity 10 down Ihe
Cummins' n.ov,ment
Colonei Hepburn Neutral
II Is true that in the recent Allison
Cummins contest, Colonel Hepburn as
| suned practically a neutral attitude,
but this has not served 20 remove the
hitter feelings Of a good many OF the
/ radical members Of his party The
/ Democratic nominee To- the House in
the Eighth district is State Senator W
IN Jameson. editor OF the Shenandoah
World. a young man Of fair ability and
NJ much energy. Jameson IS making a
/ careful canvass Of the entire district,
speaking in every county and township
as far as possible
! Colonel Hepburn IS also on the stump
out ne is now pressing hard on the age
( of s<ventv-five and is not able TO go
/ # his political foes in the hammer-and-
/ TOMS fashion that he was In his mar
dieT DAVIS u - a dramatic spectacle,
Z ais one Of the leOnine Colonel Pete,
/ now long past three-score and ten
/ standing at bay. with thlckenlnS
/ -.rovvd OF enemies. snaCIing at him. II
is true that it has often happened IN
( The mast that Colonel Hepburn's oppon-
[ ents have proclaimed his defeat some
weeks before election, only TO ind that