The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1909-08-12
Senator Cummins Says That
War for Control of National .
Organization Is On.
Does Not Believe That Presi.
dent Taft Is with Old Stand
pat Organization.

Inc republican naClOnal convention
of 1912 is the promised field of the
most spectacular battle of the CAIN
paign already initiated. The tariff and
how to revise it furnishes the line of
demarcation between the opposing for
ces.
Senator Albert B. Cummins of Iowa,
homeward bound from Washington, at
the Congress Hotel, flung down the
gauntlet and, for all practical purposes,
officially and formally delivered the po-
litical ultimatum which opens hostil-
tiles between the progressiyes and the
old order, which has aligned itself be-
hind the banner carried in Washington
by Senator Nelson w. Aldrich.
::'The democratic party has demon
stcated thoroughly its innocuous inabil-
lty to be trusted with the formulation
of tariff law for the United States"
said Senator Cummins. II do not for
see any serious possibility of a demo-
cratic congressional or national victory
because of the passage Of the new
tariff law. Any republican law, based
upon the underlying principle of pro-
lection, is preferable to any demo-
cratic law based upon the principle of
tariff for revenue. All republicans
will fight together when danger of a
democratic congress heaves in sight.
'In my judgment, the tariff never
again will be an issue between the re-
publican and democratic parties. 1t is
tie decisive issue between the two
well-defined elements within the repub-
lican party. It is an issue which must
and, believe, will be settled defn itely
at the next national convention"
The Iowa senator talked candidly and
freely Of the campaign plans of the
progressive wing of republicanism. He
held nothing in reserve and evidently
spoke as one of authority within the
ranks of the senators and represen-
tatives who believe the Payne tariff bill
does not keep the pledges made in the
Chicago platform of 1908.
The big items emphasized by Senator
Cummins as critical points to be pushed
to the fore by the progressives are
these:
First-Placing in control at the head
of organized republicanism men who
will stand absolutely by platform
pledges.
Second Struggle for this policy at
every convention, local, congressional
or state, between now and 1912, where
there are enough progressive repub-
licans to make it worth while.
Third-No general revision Of the
tariff for perhaps a decade, but re-
vision from time to time in particular
schedules as expert investigation dem
onstrates to be necessary and at the
same time conforming with the broad
principle Of protection.
Fourth-Appointment of an expert
tariff commission at the earliest prac-
tical moment to furnish this informa-
tion to congress.
Fifth-Practically no opposition to
President Taft, whom the progressives
believe to have thoroughly progress
sive program in hand for his admins
tration, at least until the presidential
policy demonstrates the contrary.
Senator Cummlns followed this out
line of policy with the statement that
the campaign had begun; that the bat
tie in congress and the roll call when
some of the progressives openly went
on record in opposition to the tariff
bill as framed were integral and well
defined strategical moves on the part
of the progressives, and that he, for
one, is prepared to Immediately enter
upon speaking campaign in behalf of
the general policy Of the progressives.
As for other progressives-known in
Washington as the ''insurgents"- they
can speak for themselves, he declared.
"What immediate step will be taken
by the progressives?"
Eve shall present the issue fatty to
every republican convention between
the present and the national convention
Of 1912, where it is possible for the is
sue to be presented. That issue is:
Shall the men now in control Of party
destinies be permitted further to dis
regard plain party declarations?'
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