Morris tribune., 1910-04-01
BBBRHART NOW
MORE IN FAVOR
PROVED HIS EXECUTIVE.
ABILITY

ance Element-Wm. E. Lee
Writes Forceful Letter.
st. Paul, March 29-There is little
question that from the Republican
point of view the situation is improved
since the meeting of the Conservation
Congress here in st. Paul. It was ad-
mirably planned and the program was
efficiently carried out. 1t is recognized
that this resulted largely from the per-
sonal attention given by governor Eb-
erhart to the arrangement. In effect
it was test and an Illuminating one
of Governor Eberhart's capacity for
larger things. 1t gave the public a
glimpse of his talent for organization.
The result was satisfactory and reas-
suring. For whether regarded as the
head of his party Or the administrator
of the affairs of a 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
Congress Governor Eberhart demon
strated his executive ability. In doing
so he materially increased his hold on
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. 1t 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 beginningto 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 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 bringing
about better understanding. The in
innate association which resulted has
had good effect. The result has been
seen for one thing in the removal in
many quarters of what latent opposi-
ton there may have been to Governor
Eberhart's nomination. tits now seen
to be the logical result of the situation.
Besides this a movement has been set
on foot looking to the elimination of
factiOnal differences and the presen-
tation to the State convention of
ticket which shall recognize and give
proper representation to every ele-
ment which goes to make up the Re-
publican 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 for the Re-
publican party to ignore. 1t is based |
on the further assumption that temp |
erance reform is matter for legisla
tive rather than for executive action.
Ultimately the issue must be fought |
out in the house ofrepresentatives and |
in the State senate. 1t is felt by the |
Republican leaders that it is wise to
recognize this. Furthermore, that in |
this contest the advocates of temper
ance are entitled to the fairest of fair
play.
The basis of an understanding will |
therefore be, am authorized to state,
that in the legislature and senatorial
elections the executive department
and the Republican State organization
will take no part. No attempt is to be
made to influence the result one way
or another. The subject of temper
ance legislation will be put up square
ly as it should be put up to the voters,
the party pIedging itself in the mean
while through representative leaders
that after the legislature is elected the
organization shall be such that on
committees in which they have an in
terest the friends of temperance shall