Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-12-30

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A day spe among party leaders at
the state capital may add considerably
10 ones fund of information; out il
furnishes very unsatisfactory basis for
a prediction as to the new senate for
Iowa that is to be elected by the COM
ing general assembly. Matters are too
much at cross-purposes. and among
men who If they put forth effort would
accomplish results there is lack Of de-
cision, unless what they are really
seeking Is to make trouble-in which
case they are liable just now to be
found talking for Kenyon. But that
great Significance really attaches to
The fact IS tina the senatorial mess
in Iowa his time started in confusion
and has not yet come out OF II. Gov
ernor Carroll had the drst opportunity
TO give a real trend to the discussion
by naming a senator who might rea-
sonably hope to gather the strength to
win with: but h governor chose to
name a senator whose appointment.
however popular it might be with a
large number of republicans in the
state. could not possibly be confirmed
in the coming general assembly; but
the naming of Sena,or Young made
the latter the first aspirant to have his
chances seriously and effectively can
vassed. The result is a conclusive
demonstration that while he might
easily get thirty-fve or forty votesin
the republican legislative caucus, n
while it is equally evident that the
senator is very much in earnest in his
candidacy for reelection. there is cur
rent nowhere any belief that he can
win. He is not eliminated from the
field of candidates. but he is eliminated
from serious discussion when the final
outcome is under consideration. So the
governor has not helped at all to clari-
fy the situation.
After the governor the next nan who
might perhaps have given early and de-
cisive cas- to the situation was Senate
Cummins. AS the acknowledged lead
er of the faction hat has been domi-
nant in state politics and that was a
pronounced majority on the republi-
can side of the legislature his influence
actively and forcefuily exerted in be-
/ half of some one candidate among his
| political friends would very likely LAY
had the effect to put that candidate so
! far in the lead as to be by this time a
practically sure winner; but notwith-
standing any reports to the contrary
it is the fact that the senator has re-
Trained from exerting IT trying to
exert such decisive influence. and while
the propriety Of his conduct is not to
be and is not gainsaid. its consequence
is a very manifest disintegration of the
! progressive" faction. Among the
senator's closest friends and with the
public there has been a feeling that
his personal preference il frankly ex-
pressed would be Attorney General
| Byers; u while this supposed prefer
ence has helped Mr.. Byers to promi-
hence in the discussion it has not been
backed with efforts to get for him the
necessary votes. Mr.. Byers has there
fore had his try-Out under not wholly
favorable conditions, with the result
that it is clear to substantially every
| one 1irat ne Ca. n3s 2-:tc the pro-
gressiver forces, and that his nomina-
ton in the legislative caucus is quite
as foriorn a hope az is h Of Senator
Young. SO Re emains in the field and
SO blocks the way 20. the present for