The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-05

DO not be misled into believing that
the Republicans have ghost Of a chance
to carry the elections in November.
They have not It is almost incon-
ceivable that the party IN so short time
could get into such disorganized de-
moraiized condition Harmon will have
an easy victory in Ohio. Indiana is hope
lessly lost"
A Western Republican. stalwart in the
extreme. made the foregoing comment
upon the political conditions in the West
in a letter just received in Washington.
The situation is thoroughly appreciated
here in Washington, and the view thus
expressed is not considered overdrawn.
There is more than a breach in the
Republican party. Internecine warfare
actually exists in many Congressional
districts. and the contests for state Of
fees are directly involved.
MiX-up Worst in Years.
IN the opinion OF the old-time party
men here in Washington the mix-up is
Infinitely worse than anything Of the kind
that has occurred in the last quarter of
a century There is bitter and outspok-
en- denunciation Of the insurgents es-
pecially the leaders a prominent office
holder. influential in party councils in
his State. said:
We have been in power "A long time
and perhaps chastisement is now due
us, but this insurgent movement must
be crushed out even II the Democrats
must come temporarily into power to
accomplish IT.
Compromise or conciliation is not to
be thought Of The one. bright spot on
the political horizon to-day is Ohio.
There the party stood b. its guns. and
II It goes down. II viii 90 down with
colors flying.
The men who led the revolt-men Ike /
Cummins. Dolliver. La Toilette. and that
crowd-should be driven out OF the party
As for PinchOt and Garfield and the
whole class OF faddists 10 which they ]
belong, the party has no need Of them. 4
Such men always have been mischief
makers politically, and always will be-
This is the ultra-partisan view-the
view OF the standpatter trained in the
Hanna school and to-day represented in
the Cannon element-but it does not rep
resent the feeling Of the party men gen
orally
The more prudent. far-sighted Republi-
cans realize that insurgency has grown
and Is still growing. and that the men
identified with the movement must be
brought back into line by conciliatorv /
methods and progressive policies. or the |
party VIII not only lose this year. but /
be doomed TO inevitable defeat in 1912. I
PrOgressives Get support.
Some Of the strongest newspapers n /
the West are vigorously supporting the 4
progressives of the party, and the move /
ment is assuming greater formidability /
tnan was dreamed Of few months ago.
Only two standpat members of the I
House in Kansas were renominated ~,
tie late primary, and doubt is expressed |
whether these two will pull through at
the polls.
Iowa is fairly split in twain
Nebraska is in like shape politically
The complications in Indiana are about /
as bad as they can be.
The organization in Ohio is in better
shape. but the outlook there IS far fr,m 1
promising
Even Pennsylvania. where both partIas I
ale up in arms against the old-tima ma /
chimes. an Independent ticket that will
command big support is in the field. and
Massachusetts. inclined TO turn against I
Lcdge' Is giving him the fight Of his lie. |
Maine is also dreadfully cut up. and
threatens an updeaval in September.
Mr. TAFT. II is generally conceded. gain
ed ground in the country's estimation
during the closing weeks OF Congress
oy forcing through reform legislation
10 which his party was committed. Rut
the attitude OF the insurgents toward him
was well exemplihed in the Iowa con-
vention when Senator Cummins. upheld
by The majority Of the delegates. ner-
sistently refused to mention the Presi-
dents name
Tnft's Good Play.
The fact that Mr.. Taft has decided not
10 make speeches in the campaigr is
considered good political stroke ON his
part With the party so utterly demoral-
lied as it is to-day. it is generally bo-
leved that he is showing wisdom in do
ciining to participate in the campaign
Roosevelts immediate future Is a NAT
ter Of much present-day speculation. In
spite OF the popular esteem In which he
is held. independent newspapers that are
supporting insurgents and encouraging
the progressive tendencies Of the times
are pointing out that in reality Taft has
made greater headway in accomplishing
things IN his year and a half in the
White House thar Roosevelt did durinr.
the seven years Of his incumbency. The
prediction Is made that unless the for
mer President now the idol OF the
masses. Identifies himself thoroughly
with the progressive element of the
party and takes an unqualified stand
in favor of popular government-direct
lesislation-his hold upon the country
will soon be weakened