The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-05
Considering Plans for War in
Their Own Defense.
MEANS LIFE OR DEATH
Hitchcock Has Not Yet Seen Fit
to Deny
That Patronage Is Being With
held From Congressman.

Washington, Jan. Sit is expected
that the insurgent Republican, MEM
bers of the house will call a meeting
at an early day to give earnest con-
sideration to the situation arising from
the announcement that the adminis-
tration would no longer countenance
"insurging" in congress and would
withhold patronage from the recalci-
trant members.
Most of the radical insurgent lead
ers on the house side feel that with
the elections but a few months dis
tant it is a life and death struggle
with them and consequently when
forced into the fray have no hesita-
ton about carrying the war to any
extent. The effort to defeat insurgent
congressman by starting fight against
them in their home districts, as was
reported yesterday had already begun
| in several districts in the west, has
hit hard and the congressman so at
tackled probably will make no choice
/ of weapons in defending themselves.
| 1t was expected that some statement
/ would be forthcoming today from the
administration side as to its attitude
regarding the insurgents. So far,
| Postmaster General Hitchcock has re-
mained silent under the statement en-
anating from Representative Miller of
/ Minnesota to the effect that Mr.. Hitch
cock was holding up the appointments
l
gent members of the house Published
| intimations that this course was being
pursued with reference to a number of
congressman from Minnesota and Wis
| cOnsin has so far brought, no formal
denial from. any administration au-
| thority.
Will Wait to Cool or.
| Representative Hayes stated later
that no meeting would be called by
1 him before next week.
fv1l u, l., L, l.
a chance to cool off, he said. Some
of them are pretty warm, you know
Mr.. Hayes said when he read the
! published accounts today of what
4 purported to be the administrations
attitude toward the insurgents he did
not believe it. He considered the
4 proposition so suicidal from the adj
ministration standpoint that it was
I incredible. SIS
4 Mr.. Hayes denied the statement
published today in which he was
quoted as saying that '.he' could see
President Taft's finish if he persisted
in upholding Cannon. From a source
close to the administration the de-
claration came that no hard and fast
determination had been reached by
the president not to recognize the in
Isurgents in matters of patronage. The
/ subject is under consideration
Self protection is the key to the ad-
ministration's attitude toward the in
surgents.
Il Aside from mere personal politics.
the administration has conceived
some legislative policies which it de-
sires to see carried into effect. The
president and his advisers realize op-
position may be expected to those
policies by some members of his own
party in congress and il. is to protect
them against what might be consid-
cred as an attack from the rear
that the patronage of at least some
parts of the country is to be subject
ed to very close scrutiny.
Not q Punishment.
1t is insisted this attitude was not
suggested as a means of punishment
of anybody for past opposition.
The pressure for appointments is
| as great as usual and it is the idea of
the Republican leaders that a few of
these members await only a favorable
opportunity to attack the policies and
perhaps the personnel of the admin
I istration after having obtained the of
flee in which they are especially in
terested and upon which they de-
mand prompt action.
/ 1t is definitely understood it is not
the purpose of the president to lend
| aid and comfort to those who may
: use the strength he gives them in a
fight against his announced policies.
Postmaster General Hitchcock. who
generally is regarded as the closest
e political adviser of the president, de-
t clined to make any statement for
5 publication regarding the question
He did not deny having a conversa-
} | tion with Representative Miller of
l Minnesota. one of the insurgents in
4 the course of which he intimated to
I him what the administrations posi-
Y tion was likely to be. He was quite
D sure that whatever determination
might be reached by the president re-
a specting federal patronage would af-
V | feet not merely the postoffice depart
s ment. but all branches of the govern
r ment
zranrcr,Nr cDEnEc or-r