New-York tribune., 1910-06-09
No .cLELL MARv ~ LOWA


Both the progressives and the stand
patters' are claiming victory in the
Iowa primary The real significance OF
the result is found in the refusal of the
Republican voters of Iowa TO divide
themselves into two parties sinStead of
remaining as two more or less unstable
and variable factions within one party.
1t is clear that Senator Cummins's ex-
travagant talk about an ''irrepressible
conflict within the party was not taken
any more seriously by level headed Re
publicans in Iowa than it has been
taken by level headed Republicans else
where. The Junior Senator was glad TO
use an imaginary issue to strengthen
himself in his fight 10 retain control of
the party organization. But the issue
got away from him before be was ready
To let it 90. He had declared himself
TO be in irreconcilable opposition to Sena-
tors Aldrich and Elkins on issues aris-
ing out Of attempted railroad legislation.
Yet before the date of the state primary
arrived at which he had entreated the
voters 10 decide between him and his OPP
ponents he made his entreaty meaning
less by Joining with Senator's Aldrich
and Elkins in supporting the Senate's
amended railroad bill.
1t is only natural under these circum-
stances that the Iowa Republicans
should have neglected the "irrepressible
conflict issue and fought out their diff
ferences practically along old lines. Mr..
Cummins was able TO nominate himself
for Governor three times in succession.
The only break in his record of success
ful leadership for ten years past was his
failure to wrest the Senatorship from
William B. Allison. He quickly regained
control after Mr. Allison's death, and
his forces have been put this year dn
the position of conducting a campaign
from outside the breaStworkS only be-
cause the present Governor, Mr.. Car
/ roll thought il wiser not to take sides
between the ''stand-patters" and the in
surgents on questions of policy at Wash
/ ington. but to seek reelection solely on
his record in the Governors chair.
| Since he would not fall in with the ideas
and plans of Mr.. Cummins the latter
reluctantly decided to put candidate in
the field against him in the person of
ex-Lieutenant Governor Garst. The re-
suit of the cOmpaign for the governor
ship is in doubt. with the chances favor
! ing Mr.. Carroll. As late as Monday it
waS conceded by The Des Moines Regis
! ter and Leader" Mr. Cummins'S stanch-
est newspaper supporter, that the fight
was not being made along ''irrepressible
I 81 limos Jhaf z-OfnTS did
not consider the issue between the pro-
greSsives and .stand-patters' TO be in
volved at all in the contest for state
Offices
In the Congress district primaries
such an issue could be much more legit-
imately made. for whatever differences
there are between the two clements in
the party in Iowa concern legislation and
methods i'm Congress. not policies at
home But even in the district fights
other motives have had weight. Rep
/ resentative j. \. T. Hull has been de-
feated in the Des MoineS district. y eft
that result was forecast by his narrow
escape in 1908. when there was no talk
whatever of the incyitability of party
! civil var. On the other hand, Walter |.
Smith. n valuable and influential MEM
her of the delegation. was renominated
| by a flattering majority, in spite of the
J fact that he has been closely associated
with the Cannon inner circle in the
House Representative Kennedy. of the
1st District, another supporter Of the
/ Speaker has been renominated. The
progreSsives have retained their power
in the state. and possibly enlarged it.
But party solidarity has not been en-
tdangered. The ''irrepressible conflict
has tapered down TO moderate and
wholesome domestic shock.