The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-21
Regular" Republicans Look to
the Former President
To Stem the Tide of Insurgency
in the West.
PLAN SPEAKING TOUR
In Support Of the Administra-
ton of Taft.
War of determination to Be
Fought Next Fall.

Washington, March 21.-Believing
that former President Roosevelt stands
for the acts of the administration, the
Republican congressional committee
| has taken the initial steps to get him
| actively into the campaign upon his
return. 1t is stated that the officers
of the congressional committee already
are in correspondence with the former
president for the purpose of unfolding
the plan they have in view.
This plan contemplates a spectacular
speech making tour of the west, par
ticularly in those states where insur-
gency is militant and where it has be-
come fashionable to denounce the ad-
ninistration of President Taft not
being in harmony with the policies of
the Roosevelt regime. 1t will be re-
nnembered that in 1906 President Taft,
then secretary of war, made a tour of
the west unfolding the policies of Pres
ident Roosevelt and appealing for the
return of a Republican house of repre-
SentativeS. The congressional commit
tee believes it will be a comparative
easy matter to persuade Col. Roosevelt
that turn about is fair play
Iowa, Wisconsin. and Minnesota,
three Republican strongholds, will re
ceive no assistance from the Repub-
lican congressional committee in the
lions follow the wishes of the state
leaders and declare against the present
tariff law. Iowa, whose convention is
scheduled for early part of June, has
two senators who fought the present
tariff law tooth and nail. The leaders
of the congressional committee are
confident that the convention will at
tack the tariff and the administration.
When this is done the committee will
say: Fight your own battles. and
them
from u.s.
A similar performance is expected
from Minnesota and Wisconsin.
In Iowa Colonel Pete Hepburn wants
to run again for congress, and he has
been promised the aid of the congress
sional committee, irrespective of wheth-
err Dolliver and Cumnains support him
Or put a progressive in the field.
All these facts are but corroborating
evidence of the determination of the
national leaders either to stamp out
insurgency Or put a split into the
party organization which will make
Grand Canyon look like an insignificant
ditch. Moreover. rather than help to
elect insurgents to congresS-the inSur-
gents who fight the administration
the. leaders would prefer to see Demo-
Gratis take their places on the rolls. A
positive answering policy in regard to
the Insurgents has been adopted by the
committee. In polite language it is
that 1.-THE committee will help all good
RepuDl1CanS
elections
The committee will go SO far as to
take a hand at preventing the nomina-
ton Of Republicans who are hostile to
the administration or the present organ
ization of the house. For instance, if
lar and an inSurgent, that particular
district will be flooded with literature
sent to the newspapers and to individ-
uals showing that the regular cause"
fIn Of Pom hi oaT mic nat
insurgency is the enemy of the party.
And it is natural to assume that the
literature will be backed up by any
other assistance the regular may need.
If the insurgent win the nomination,
he will not be helped in any way by the
committee, and the Democrat will have
an unhampered chance to get his scalp.
There is no doubt that a determined
effort will be made to swing the con-
ventions of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wis
consin into line with the administra-
ton, but there is grave doubt that the
attempt will be successful in any of the
three cases. If failure results from
each effort. the effect will be almost
certain defeat for the Republicans in
the next house. Many politicians have
been surprised by the determined stand
the committee has taken for the de-
struction of the insurgents.
Nothing like it has been attempted
for many years. 1t is proposed to Jug
gernaut the men who oppose the organ
ization, and to stake everything on the
chance of killing insurgency. There are
those who do not believe the insurgent |
wave can be put down. If that turns |
out to be true, the Republican party |
will receive one of the severest blows |
it has had in years.
Opportunity is now being given the |
insurgents to come back to the regular |
reservation. They are being told that |
Cannon will not again run for the |
speakership of the house and that the |
house committee on rules will be en- |
larged. 1t is also being pointed out to |
them that an agreement may be reach |
ed as to whether or not the speaker of |
the house would be included in the |
of the rules committee.
But little hope is entertained Of such |
men as Victor Murdoch of Kansas. and |
of the Wisconsin and Mime |
sofa and Iowa delegations swinging !
into line. These men cannot afford to |
do it if they cherish the hope Of re- |
election by their people. Consequently, |
they are put in the position of re- |
nouncing the committees help in order |