The Washington herald., 1908-02-05

Political conditions in South Dakota are
attracting much attention in Washington.
The high standing Of Mr.. Kittedge in
the United States Senate has given un-
usual interest 10 the pending campaign.
Some apprehension has been created by
recent reports, but these are said to be
without material foundation.
THE situation In the Republican party
in South Dakota is simply this, said
Robert ). Person. of that State, when
questioned yesterday. There are two
factions just as there are now two fac
tons I'm all the Northwestern States.
They are known locally as stalWarts and
insurgents Senator Kittredge heads the
stalwarts and Gov Crawford the insur-
gents. Both factions claim TO be in ac-
cord with the administration policies,
but until recently they had been divided,
not only on questions OF local interest.
but also on the question Of Presidential
succession. Last March Senator Kit
tredge declared for Secretary Taft, after
assuring himself that under no circum-
stances could President Roosevelt be in
duced 10 accept another nomination.
About the same time Gov Crawford an
nOunced IL as his opinion that the PTesi-
dent ought 20 be taken at his word and
not urged into a third-term candidacy.
While he did not declare his choice for
the succession. his followers began TO
line up for Senator La Toilette
Made Up of Many Factions.
The Crawford faction itself is an ag-
gregation of factions. the most important
element OF its strength being the Popu-
listic element that has come into the
party since 1900. An important element.
however Of his following refused TO go
with him to La Toilette. Their differ
ences were compounded temporarily by
an declaring for the denomination OF
President Roosevelt and working for con-
troll Of a delegation 10 the national con-
veuti0n otherwise uninstTucted. This
plan for an uuinstructed delegation proved
unpopular and after Senator Kittredges
speech at the big convention Of Taft clubs
last Wednesday night the Crawfordites
made haste to climb onto the Taft band
wagon. so that both factions are now
committed 10 Secretary TaG 8 cause.
THE convention al Mitchell composed
Of more than 1,jo5 delegates. elected with
i'm the past thirty days was one of the
most enthusiastic political gatherings ever
held in the State il was addressed by
Senator Kltredge and Eben W Martin,
who is a candidate for his old place in
the House OF Representatives. Il in
dorsed Taft unanimously.
1.-The State committee which is reported
90 nave iudD"sed Gov. Crawford for the
Senate two days later was elected two
years ago under conditions radically diff
fereut from those which now prevail. and
viii be succeeded shortly by new COM
Wittee favorable 10 Senator Eittredge
The committees Endorsement of Score
tary Taft was forced by the Taft demon
stration 100 the convention addressed by
Senator hittTcdgc. At the same time a
league "a sort Of close political corpora
tiol composed largely OF officers who use
IL solely Tor faCti0nal advertising pur-
poses sent out a report that il had in
dorsed Taft and Crawford So far as the
action Of the league is concerned, Il rep
resents nothing but half a dozen noisy
. insurgents.
Not There 10 Argue.
The success OF the opposition 20 Sen
ator Kittredge, two years ago. was the
result Of a emulation Of faCtiOnal strife
They won by mere huke, as II has been
demonstrated that a change Of a dozen
votes i'm the primaries would have
changed the result Kittredge is much
stronger in the State to-day than he has
been AZ any time since his first election.
I look for him literally to sweep the State
in the June primaries. Every indication
is that he will have an overwhelming ma
iority In the older and more deusely pOpU-
lated portion of the State. This opinion
is based upon reports coming from All
portions of the State, and theTe is no
doubt he viii carry the Black Hills c0uu-
ties almost solid
The Crawford administration has
alenated much Of lis strength of two
years ago. a reaction was inevitable.
but the burdens of taxation appear to
have greatly increased. without any
tangible benefits as compensation. This
is adding greatly TO the uupUpulaTity Of
reform as excmplified by the Craw-
forditos."