Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1910-03-31
ST. PAUL LETTER.

| 81. raul, Marcn oO.-Ihere is little
question that from the Republican
point of view the situation is improy:
ed since the meeting of the Conser-
vatlon Congress here in st. Paul It
was admirably planned and the pro-
gram was efficiently carried out. It
is recognized that this resulted large
ly from the personal attention given
by Governor Eberhart to the arrange
ment. In effect it was a test and an
Illuminating one of Governor Eber-
hart's capacity for larger things. 1t
gave the public a glimpse of his tai
ent for organization. The result was
satisfactory and reassuring. For
whether regarded as the head of his
party or the administrator of the af-
fairs of great State it is a mans
ability to direct the energies of those
with whom he is associated upon
which his fitness for the place must
depend. In the Conservation Con-
gress Governor Eberhart demonstrate
ed his executive ability. In doing so
he materially increased his hold OH
the confidence of the people of the
State.
There are still, however, disturbing
factors and among these the county
option movement must be given first
place. It would be idle to deny that
this is movement largely within the
Republican party. Nor can it be over
looked that it is Of such magnitude
that if it resulted in any considerable
detection, Republican supremacy in
the State would be threatened. These
things must be faced, and the leading
men of the party are beginning to feel
that the wise and patriotic thing to do
is to see if some understanding can
not be arrived at among Republicans
which would enable all factions to
work together in harmony to carry
out a common purpose. With unit
ed party the control of all branches of
the government next year might be
confidently anticipated. Such control
is by no means assured if Republicans
permit minor differences to divide
them.
The meeting of representative men
here last week from all parts Of the
State has done much towards bring
ing about a better understanding. The
! intimate association which resulted
has had good effect The result
has been seen for one thing in the re-
moval in many quarters of what lat
ent opposition there may have been
to Governor Eberhart's nomination.
It is now seen to be the logical re-
suit of the situation. Besides this a
movement has been set On foot look
ing to the elimination of factional diff
ferences and the presentation to the
State convention of a ticket which
shall recognize and give proper rep.
resentation to every element which
goes to make up the Republican
party.
The negotiations which are now un
der way are based on the assumption
that the temperance element in the
Republican party is one which it
would be neither polite nor just fol
the Republican party to ignore. II
is based on the further assumption
that temperance reform is matter
for legislative rather than for execu
tive action. Ultimately the issue
must be fought out in the house O.
representative and in the State sen
ate 1t is felt by the Republican lead
ers that it is wise to recognize this
Furthermore, that in this contest tn
advocates of temperance are entitled
to the fairest of fair play.
The basis of an understanding vii
therefore be, am authorized to state
that in the Legislature and senatoria
elections the executive departmen
and the Republican State organization
will take no part. No attempt is t.
be made to influence the result on
way or another. The subject of ten
perance legislation will be put ~ u
squarely as it should be put up to tn
voters, the party pledging itself il
the meanwhile through Representative
leaders that after the legislature
elected the organization shall be sue
that on committees in which the
have an interest the friends of ten
perance shall be assured represents
tion equivalent in proportions
strength to the number Of represents
tives and senators whose electio
they will be able to secure.
The legislative organization antic
pated by this tentative arrangemen
| II. L. u,