The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-04
INSURGENT IOWA.
Regulars Are Beaten at Every Turn
in State Convention.

Des Moines. Iowa. Aug 4.-Repub-
lican Iowa has written herself vigor-
ously progressive at a convention which
was in an uproar most of the time.
Senators Cummins and Dolliver and
the insurgent delegation at Washing
ton was endorsed.
The new tariff law was branded as
failure in the light of the party
pledge of 1908.
President Taft received the most
tep1d of lukewarm endorsements.
sop of harmony was flung out in
the endorsement of the administration
of Governor Carroll
An attempt to use the steam roll
err to make the state central com
called off, presumably at the hint of
Senator Cummips.
Senator Cummins was temporary
chairman; Senator Dolliver permanent
chairman.
The progressive majority ranged
close to three hundred on every ques-
tion.
The resolution committee was pro-
gressive. six to, five. The foregoing
is synopsis of the days event To
and applause and Kisses, music and
howls of discord.s~
The appearances and disappearance
of the steam roller was one of the
diverting incidents of the day. 1t came
about through the insistence of the
standpat members of the platform
committee in demanding unqualified
endorsement of the Taft administra-
ton, the legislative acts of the regu-
lars and hostility to Cummins and Dol
liver. 1t was determined to exert a
little pressure just to show the minor,
ity who is running Republican politics
in Iowa. The primary law which pro-
vides that members of the state CEN
trail committee shall be chosen by the
convention was fastened upon as the
means to this end. 1t was proposed to
disregard the caucus selections of the
First and Ninth districts, which are
standpat, and to have the convention
substitute progressiyes in their places.
Attorney General Byers. as a chauf-
feur of the steam roller brought
that engine into view, with motion
that the convention proceed to the Sc
lection of the state central committee
men. He was opposed by F. It. Price,
of EIkader. who demanded the conven-
ton proceed N the good old fashioned
way. A motion to postpone action un-
til after the report of the resolution
committee had been received, now
ever carried on roll CALI 1t was grow
ing dark when this item had Deen dis
posed of.
Then, to the surprise of everyone.
Chairman Doliiver ordered Chauffeur
Byers back to the garage and the
caucus nominees were connrmeQ. InlS,
like the endorsement of Governor
Carroll was a concession to harmony.
1t was a concession to the candidates
who expect to go before the people
next fall, and who viewed with alarm
the chasm dividing the two factions.
Their work in trying to get the dele
gates together was almost unceaS1ng
for forty-eight hours.
What may have been an attempt to
stampede the delegates in favor of the
stalwart resolutions was made when
Second district delegate-former Con-
gressman Ellsworth Rominger-hoist
standpat cheers. But the other side
answered with silence or with jeers.
Later another delegate among the pro-
gressives exposed a picture of Colonel
Roosevelt. occasioning demonstra-
ton The Taft portrait was again
hoisted and the two Hkenesses held
so as to confront each other. The
demonstration interrupted a roll call,
for some minutes. The standpat dele
gates went down in defeat with their
colors riveted to the mast. They fought
in every committee where a fight was
possible, insisted on roll calls and bat
tied every inch for their principles.
Their resolutions, Incorporated in
the minority report of the platform
committee and voted down by the con-
yention, favored President Taft and
endorsed the Taft policies, including
the tariff.
Former Congressman Hepburn, his
gray hair bristling aggressively in ev-
cry direction, read the minority re-
port. He moved the substitution of the
minority planks for those of the same
application in the majority report and
the motion was lost, 568 to 815.