Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-02
SITUATION IN THE WEST.
Supremacy of the Policy of the Square
Deal.


Cincinnati Enquirer 0nd. dem.).
News from the west, from all the country
west Of the Ohio river, gives ample evil
dence that in every state of that vast re-
gion the republican party has divorced itself
from the element in its ranks that opposed
or failed to heartily approve of the policies
of President Roosevelt.
What has been termed radicalism is now
the orthodox faith in each Of the states Of
that section, and the national convention
Endorsement OF the administration and its
policies is rapidly being ratified by the
party in county, district and state pri-
maries. The anti-Roosevelt forces of the
country today in no state of the union have
any political standing or hold upon the
voters OF the party.
The bold uttersnces, the loud criticisms,
the abuse and revilings by politicians and
representatives of business interests, have
suddenly ceased as against those policies,
backed as they now are by the party's
candidate, the party Endorsement, popular
approval, magnificent crops and a renewal
of prosperity.
Western republicans rave not forgotten
the pioneers security from the sweeping
flames OF a prairie fire was to kindle an
other that the wind might send 1t swirling
ahead to clear a refuge. leaving nothing
for the approaching blaze to feed upon.
They seem to have put this into political
practice through the west.
1t is the same play of politics that saved
the democratic organization in 1885, when
the storm Of popular sntsgonism to the
second Cleveland administration and swept
in 1893, 1894 and 1895 nearly every state in
the union in populism or republlcanism
This may save the west now [. the repub-
licans. The men run over by the party
machine will remain loyal to their party.
They may be today as little influences in
party rule as the gold democrats in 1881
In their party, but, unlike the gold demo.
Gratis, they will organize no bolt, but in
doubtful states and secure states will vote
the Taft electoral ticket.
With Bristow's Interpretation OF republl-
can doctrines in Kansas; Cummins STANDING
for Roosevelt policies in Iowa; LaFollette'i
teachings upheld as party faith in Wiscon.
sin; the Lincoln-R Roosevelt league active II
California; the personal staff OF Mr.. TAT
standing solidly for the same policies anc
teaching OF Ohio, there certainly seems e
be no reason for any radical repu olican t.
leave the party, and there is no sanctusr,
open for Conservative republicans that Of
fers better protection than the reconstruc
ted old home.
1t il difficult for an onlooker to see how
the democrats can gain republican vote
in the west under these conditions. Thei
chance was there three months ago, but tn,
republicans new alignment surely Is nov
a barrier.
Mr.. Bryan can offer no greater induce
ments than are now offered upon the bar
gain counter OF the republican party in tn
west. Not an important radical republican
leader has bolted his party, Why SHOULD
he under such favorable conditions to rsdi
cal ideas? Not an important conservative
republican leave. for all other doors ar
closed "a him.
1t does not look SO favorable to the demo
Gratis In the west as It did one north age
a fortnight ago or a week ago. The pas
few days The western republicans seem {
have eorraled their voters