The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1911-09-22
MAY HAVE
|NSURGENT
BANQUET
TINES BUREAU
At THE STATE CAPITAL.

indianapolis. Ind, Sept. % There
has been some talk here about an in
surgent republican banquet in this city
some time the coming fall, but up to
this time no definite announcement has
been made. According to the story, 1t
is the intention to make the banquet
state wide affair to be attended by the
leading progressive republicans of the
state, but it is probable that, if the
banquet is held speakers also will be
present from other states. The names
of Senator LaFollette and Senator
Cummins have been mentioned as two
that might be invited to attend.
A few days ago it was said that
the banquet might be held on the re-
turn of former Senator Beveridge from
sEurope- Z Beseridse has sspentathe sum-
mer in Europe with his family. and he
is due to arrive back home the first
week in october. 1t has been suggest
ed that If the banquet is to be held
at all it would be fitting to have 1t
as a welcome home" for Reveridge.
1t is known that this plan is being
considered by some of the insurgent
leaders. but whether it will be carried
out is not yet known.
Similar banquets are being held in
of the party. and some of the members
believe that one should be held sue
cessfully in this state. where the in
surgent idea is strong. One objection
that has been heard to the banquet
plan is that it would look very much
like a part of the LaFollette campaign
plan and that this would make it UNI
popular in this state. Just how strong
La Toilette is in Indiana as presi-
Dental possibility nobody can tell, but
1t is not believed here that as a can
didate for the nomination for presi-
dent he would get very far in this
state. Undoubtedly LaFollette has
many admirers in Indiana many of
whom would be glad to see him made
president. but this does not seem to be
the time for LaFollette to win the NOM
iation. In fact, there does not seem
to be much of anything to 1t this year
| but Taft. There Is no question about
Taft having the solid support of the
| Indiana delegation at the next nation
! al convention. He has not done or
accomplished everything that some
members of the party hoped for, but IT
| is conceded that he is so strong a
candidates that they could not do any
! good by fighting him for re-nomina-
ton. So. If the insurget banquet is
held it will probably be more for the
purpose of influencing the policy of
| the party in the coming campaig than
In the interest of any candidate for a
nomination.
In this connection state Chairman
Lee. who was quoted recently with
criticising resident Taft for his course
of action at the recent special session
of congress. said. a day or two ago:
| Personally L shall support Presi-
dent Taft for denomination. I be-
! 1ieve President Taft is sincere. No
| doubt he is trying to make a record
for the party. and his errors are GER
tainly mistakes in judgment. While
there are some sections of the state
where the Taft opposition is marked
Indiana as a whole is for Taft. and ]
do not believe there will be a contest
in the election of delegates to the ma
tional convention.
do you regard Indiana as a re-
dictionary or progressive state?" Mr.
Lee wa asked.
II certainly believe that Indiana is
progressive" he answered. There has
been on direct issue before the people
lin the last two or three years by which
it could be determined definitely wheth-
er Indiana was progressive state. The
liquor issue has been injected into each
campaign and the people have not had
Iopportunity to express their sentiments
independently. The liquor question
ought to be determined at a specia
election. when it could not he made
the plaything of party politicians. i
has no place in a party campaign. and
it was a mistake in the first place tt
believe it should be made an issue II
1905
! Mr. Lee said he had found in hi