Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-07-18
BELIEVE PEOPLE
WANT RADICALISM
NEW PARTY LEADERS SAY THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY REPRE-
sENTs CONSERVATISM AND
DEMOCRACY FOLLOWS SUIT.
Washington Bureau of
The Ottumwa Courier,

Washington, D. c., July 16.
BY no means the least interesting
feature of the campaign that is now
on will relate to the part played by
the Independence League.
The independence League leaders
smile p1tyingly at the excitement
created at Denver ever the nomina-
ton OF a Democratic ticket. Mr.
Hearst and his associates not only
expect the Democratic party to be
beaten this year, but they really be-
lleYe, or profess to- that this is the
last national election wherein the old
Democratic party will seriously con-
test with the Republican party for the
control of the government In the
next presidential election, they ex-
pect the Independence League to be
the leading minority party and en-,
tertain hopes of winning in the presi-
Dental election, in 1912.
1t is the assertion of the Hearst
leaders that the Democratic party has
ceased to represent radical or pro-
gressive ideas. It's leaders, it is
urged by the Hearst contingent, are as
conservative as are the Republican
party managers. The people, according
to the ideas of those who are interest
ed in the Independence League, are
looking for an aggressive radical
party organization and will turn to the
Hearst organization sooner or later.
The Republican party occupies the
conservative field, according to this
theory and there is no room for the
Democratic party in the country;
and, as consequence, after the crush
ing defeat which it will meet in this
campaign, it will cease to be an i'm
portant factor in American politics.
With these assumptions firmly fixed
in their minds, the men who have
been won over to the independence
League movement are preparing for
vigorous campaign. At the Indepen-
dence League headquarters in Wash
tngton, 1t is predicted that the Lea
100000 votes in the November elec-
ton. The Hearst leaders scarcely
make secret of their determination
to defeat the Democratic ticket this
fall. In doing this, they maintain
they will be opening the way for a
real radical party With the lines
clearly drawn between the radicals
and conservatives, Mr.. Hearst and his
leaders profess to expect eventually
to defeat the Republican party and
elect one of the independence League
following president.
In this election, the Independence
League will devote it's attention al
most solely to the presidential con
tes& In quite number of districts,
0e League is planning to place nomi-
nees for congress in the field but no
organized efforts will be made to get
control of congress. If expectations
of the League are realized, attention
will be given to congress in 1910.
1t is generally assumed that the In
dependence League when it holds it's
convention at Chicago, July 27, will
nominate Hearst himself with
whirl Of excitement. But Mr.. Hearst
insists he is not seeking the nomina-
ton. 1t is possible he may refuse it
and insist on the nomination of an
other Thomas L. Hisgen of Massa-
chusetts and c. F. s. Neal of Rhode
Island are being discussed Mr.. His
gen is wealthy independent Gil man
who has been fighting the Standard
his nomination. Mr.. Neal also is ac-
ceptable.
But the League leaders are not wait
ing until ticket is nominated to be-
gin the work of their campaign Or
ganizers are already in the field in
Massachusetts, New York and Illinois.
Steps have been taken toward organi-
zation of a strong branch of the league
in Ohio The national leaders of the
League are in correspondence with
Democrats in Ohio who are dissatisfied
with the Democratic ticket and plat
form Shortly after the convention
is held in Chicago it is expected
that Independence League headquart-
ers will be opened in Cleveland, Gin
cinnati, Toledo, Columbus, Dayton
and some Of the other larger cities Of
the state. From these headquarters
and active campaign will be con-
Quoted In a number of the middle
western states, too, organizations will
be pushed after the convention
j. C. Welliver.