Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-26
Conference Attended By 800
Agrees on Program Of Har-
mony in Coming Campaign
GOVERNORS COURSE APPROVED
His Decision to Call Extra Session of
Legislature to Amend Law So as to
Permit Selection of Senator at Mo-
vember Election Is Sanctioned
Leaders of Both Factions in Line.
Special to rimes-sepublican.

Special to Times-7epublican.
Des Moines, Aug. 26.-Harmony has
perched upon the republican banners
as result of the conference in this
city yesterday. Republicans of all
shades of factionalism were holding
their breath for fear that the confer
ence would result in a general row that
would break up in everybody calling
everybody hard names. Instead every
republican who attended the confer
ence went home with feeling Of sat
isfaction at the outcome and with a
feeling of security that with the bur-
den taken off the backs of the legis-
lative nominees the state is insured to
have a republican legislature elected in
November.
There was discussion during the
morning hour to the effect that the
senatorship would not be mentioned.
Instead the conference plunged into it
Immediately and the entire afternoon
was spent largely in the discussion of
that proposition. When Senator Dolli-
yer entered the room he was greeted
by lussy cheering. When Governor
Cummins entered the room few mo-
ments later every republican went wild
with joy and he was cheered as heart
lily as was Dolliver. At the close of the
conference Attorney General Byers
praised all the leaders of the party by
name, including Allison, Perkins, Lacey
and Cummins, and proposed three
cheers for the bunch, and every repub-
lican joined in the cheers, thus seal
ing the harmony program, which was
a. fitting ending. as the conference had
started by singing "Blest he the Tie
That Binds"
Every One in Line.
When Carl FRANKIE, chairman of the
state committee, called for order the
room was packed. He apologized, say
ing that it was the largest room he
could get There were fully 800 packed
into the hall that was designed to hold
about 400. He stated that he was in
formed that Governor Cummins had
OCICllllll " Cdll IllC 4C51olCIuAO "
gether, land he called upon the gov
ernor to address the conference and
state his reasons. The standpatters
generally and gradually fell in with the
idea of the special session to leave the
nomination of a senator to the people,
and thus take the burden off the legis-
lative nominees, provided democrats
are not allowed to vote for the repub-
lican nominees. Governor Cummins
met this fully by saying that he was
OF the same mind.
Only once did it appear that there
was liability of a break in the har-
mony scheme and that was when
Lacey was called upon, but progress
ives now only laugh at his remarks and
his friends are spending some time
apologizing for him.
cummins Explains Attitude.
Governor Cunmins in brief said:
"The suggestion just made by the
chairman presents a matter both del
icate and difficult. want to be and
must be absolutely candid and fair
with every member of the conference.
I have been republican all the days
of my life and expect to die still firmer
in the faith than now.
'I have a profound belief in the
principles Of the republican party. No
expression can measure the disaster
that in my mind would follow a demo-
cratic supremacy. I promise here and
now, no matter how difficult the sug-
gestion of the chairman, that so far as
I am concerned 1 will devote all my
time and energy to render the success
of the republican party not only sure
but overwhelming. l expect to stand
in this campaign as in those preced-
ing it for every republican on the
ticket, not generally but specifically
and by name.
+ Puts Aside Ambition.
'I now come to the delicate and diff
ficult matter. Some of you have possi-
bly, learned in the past that have been
interested in the senatorial matter I
have attempted to put away all per-
sonal interest so far as / can in the
present emergency. Since the death of
Senator Allison l have been over
whelned with letters and have been
busy interviewing those who have not
written. These letters and interviews
have not been altogether from those
who have hitherto supported me- had
a real desire to know what my duty
was to this commonwealth. I consider
my duty to all the people of the state
higher and more sacred than my duty
to a political organization.
"For years 1 have been convinced
that the election of senators by direct
vote Of the people should be adopted.
I have labored for this policy and
spoken for this policy. Until the time
comes when it is lawful to vote direct
the nearest approach is selection by
indirect votes of political parties.
Leaves 1t to the People.
'Towa adopted this policy less than
two years ago and I am convinced
that one of the chief reasons for the
adoption of the primary election law
was that it made primary choice
of United States senator. That choice
was made last June and no choice was
ever more Universally assented to. I