The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-20

DEWEY FOR P. N.
Former Kansas Man Has a Big
Lead in Fight
For Postmaster of the MetrOp-
oils OF Illinois.
HITCHCOCK FOR HIM.
His Rise in Politics Has Been
Rapid and Spectacular.
Carried His District for Taft
Delegation in 1908.
HITCHCOCK FOR HIM.


didate for the position of postmaster of
the city of Chicago where he now re-
sides.
In a discussion of his candidacy the
Chicago Tribune says:
Ghauneey Dewey will not become post
master OF Chicago to succeed Daniel A.
7Campbel without a ripping, tearing
ton of Republican politics in Cook coun-
+ty and Illinois will be forced to take
sides one way or the other.
This notwithstanding the statement Of
postmaster Campbell on his return from
Springfield to this effect:
II they want Dewey he is a good
man and ought to have it,
That was the only passive statement
conspicuous figure in the Cook county
organization.
Everybody except the postmaster was
intensely belligerent and the Republican
county committee in all likelihood will
be called on to take a stand. That stand
will be favorable to Postmaster Camp
bell.
Foundation for New Dynasty.
In substance as viewed by Cook coun-
ty organization leaders, the Taft ad-
ministration, acting through the initia-
tive of Postmaster General Frank H
Hitchcock, late chairman of the Repub-
lican national committee, is laying the
foundation of new federal dynasty in
a nucleus which went through the fire
for Taft and Hitchcock at a time when
every delegate instructed for Taft was
worth his weight in gold to the cam
paign managers of the present execu-
tive.
The aggregate result in the national
convention broke the back OF the
movement of the anti-Taft allies
In short, the Original" Taft men are
now on the point of collecting on the
original investment.
There is no possible question that
Col Dewey is after the postmaster
ship. There is as little doubt that
Postmaster General Hitchcock is for
Dewey. There is an infinitesimal par
ticle of question concerning how far
President Taft will go in responding to
the wishes of his postmaster general
and Col. Dewey.
Will Complete His Term.
This is sure: Postmaster Campbell
will not resign before the expiration of
the term to which he was appointed
and which ends in December, 1911. 1t
in the evening that he will have to be
removed before Dewey can take pos
session of the postmaster's office. Be
hind the postmaster in this position
will be aligned large majority of the
Cook county organization, according
to statements which emanated from
all angles of the party machinery yes
terday
The political SITUATION 1nFolVed Dy
the probability of Dewey's succession
to the postmastership is thus sum-
married. by interested political leaders:
Colonel Dewey came to Chicago
mediately became interested in Re
publican politicis in the Second ward.
The fight for control of the Second
ward was at its bitterest between the
Hanecy and the friends of Governor
Deneen. Dewey was made the leader
of the Deneen force. He eHectually
defeated Hanecy and took a big ma
jority of the Second ward delegates to
the deadlocked state convention for
Deneen.
Would Extend Control.
Since then he has been undefeated
strenuous attempt to extend his per-
sonal control to the First and Third
wards. Evidence of his yearnings for
Third ward control is seen by his
against Alderman Foreman and in
behalf of Senator Ettelson in the
pending Third ward row.
All hands admit that Dewey has
been independent politically ever since
the Second ward organization went
into his personal control. So inde--
pendent, in fact, that he is a personal
confidante of Governor Deneen and
member of his military staff, and CO.
incidently a member of Mayor Buses
board of local improvements.
He was made a member of the ex-
ecutive committee of the Republican
county committee a year ago, but not
in accordance with the desire OF
either or any of the factions then and
now existing. When it came to MAX
ing up a slate of judicial candidates
this spring it was on the programme
of everybody to forget Dewey. Dewey
declined to be forgotten. He was ad-
slate the name Of Second ward
organization man, Charles Alling, Jr.
Aid Taft's Cause.
This was after the campaign of 1908,
when Dewey and Senator Ettelson went
forth, cleaned up control of the First
congressional district and the district
not without much tribula-
tion to the big majority of the Cook
organization, named Dewey and
Daniel J. Schuyler, Jr., as delegates to
themselves for Taft. This smashed the
plans of "Uncle Joe' Cannon for a solid
delegation from Illinois for himself.
No one has doubted that Dewey would
be provided with as juicy a plum as
the Taft administration could produce.
1t had been commonly supposed that
post of prominence would be
eminently satisfactory.
One of Col. Dewey's most intimate
political allies said in this regard:
Dewey wants to stay in Chicago. He
will accept no place that will take him
out of active Chicago and Illinois poll
tics"
Frowned On by CulIom.
washington, D. c., March 20.-The
possible appointment of Chauncey Dew
ey as postmaster of Chicago does not
meet with the appreciation of Senator
Cullom. 1t is not at all unlikely that
the Illinois senator will take up the sub
ject at the White House almost any
day and deliver to President Taft few
observations concerning the settlement
of campaign obligations by the assign
ment of federal offices
Assuming that Col. Dewey is sche-
duled eventually to displace Postmaster