The Washington herald., 1908-08-05

( last week Of the session he was a pathetic
! figure in his feeble efforts 10 bear his
share Of the legislative burdens
! Many OF his colleagues were OF the
Z opinion that the tremendous battle he
was waging in Iowa politics against Gov.
Cummins was really Fastening his death.
l Undoubtedly Mr. Allison believed that his
I long and useful public career deserved a
better reward than the struggle which
was forced upon him 70 maintain his pO-
3 litiCal prestige in his last days Il was a
I remarkable commentary upon the muta-
Z tons OF politics. for time was IN Iowa
/ when Mr.. Allison by a mere suggestion.
! could have prevented the election or NOM
! inati0u Of any Republican in that State,
/ so firm was his hold on the party organi-
zation.
/ Many Of his political advisers urged
I him not 10 make the race against Gov.
Cummins Not a few feared that he
would be defeated All were in daily fear
/ of his physical collapse under the strain
I OF the campaign But no persuasion was
sufficient 10 keep the old political war
/ horse out Of the fight.
Finds Aid in Campaign.
The way in which his oId-time political
friends in the organization rallied 70 his
( support must have been a soIace in mis-
/ last days. There was no sacrifice too
great for any OF them TO make TO bring
about his success Senator DoIliver. his
( colleague. had told Senator Long. Of Kan
sas. that he was not only willing. buI
would be complimented by the nomination
/ for Vice President; but when Auisoa's
friends told him that it might strengthen
son had already won the vote in the pr
mary. Dolliver promptly withdrew fr- IN
[ the contest When Robert c. Cousins.
member OF Congress. and chairman OF the
Foreign Affairs Committee, reached the
conclusion that his continuance in the
race for Congress would weaken Allison
he promptly announced his retirement
from politics and declined 20 stand for re-
election Birdsall suddenly announced his
retirement from the noe for reelection
and It is known that he did so in the in
rerest Of AUison's candidacy for the Sen
ate before the State primaries
Senator Allison frequently said 10 his
colleagues. in the closing weeks Of the
last session. that the most COEsOling feat
ure 70 him was the great devotion shown
10 his cause by the young Republicans Of
Iowa. who sacrificed their personal po-
litIcaI fortunes rather than incur the risk
Some Of the sacrifices they made were
not necessary. in his Judgment. but II was
sufficient for his loyal followers TO know
that there was the barest possibility that
( their own ambitions stood in the way
OF his denomination
CompIIcates Iowa Situation
II is the opinion Of experienced poll
ticians in Washington that Senator ALI
sons death VIII conplicate an already
much-InvoIved Republican situation in
that state II probably VIII result in the
election OF Cummins 10 the Senate. and
put him IN complete control Of the. party
in Iowa Looking ahead two years. It
may also mean the retirement Of Sena-
tor DolIiver.
That Senator AuIson's friends in
Iowa fully realized the strength OF Gov
Cuumins IS shown by the fact that they
made such strenuous opposition at the
Chicago convention 20 the proposal
10 name Senator D0IlIver for Vice Presi-
dent The President and Secretary Taft
had decided that D0Iliver should be the
nominee sor Vice President. They sent
Senator Long. OF Kansas. TO visit Doui-
yer and secure his consent 10 be a can
didate
Deliver replied that he would not only
accept but would feel coupIinented II
TIE convention saw ft 10 nominate him
Senator Long came direct t1 The Chicago
convention and passed the word along
As soon as Senator Ailis1u's friends
heard Of IL there was q great cutlery
and Deliver was told plainly that Il
meant The turning Of the State over 10
Cumulns He finally withdrew reluc-
ra-tly- TIE pcss Ibility that Cum-nins VIII
now come 20 the Senate 70 succeed Ali
son VIII widen the breach between -Hz
factions in Iowa. and may eudalEer the
state Gov Cur aims viii have The
privilege Of appointing the Senator %
serve in the interim until the legislature
elects