Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-05-04
FORMER CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR
OF CHICAGO. ORGANIZING
OPPOSITION IN STATE.
REJECTED COALITION OFFER
DURING MAYoRALTY CAMPAIGN
Merriam Seeks to Commit State to
Progressive Candidate for President
Comes Out Openly For laFoiistts
Policies Told Administration to
Keep Out Of Contest in Chicago.
Especial Correspondence

Taft wants the Illinois delegation to
the republican national convention In
1912, he will have to fight for it. This.
in substance, is the decision reached by
the progressive republicans in Illinois.
Several conferences have been held
in Washington in the last few days In
connection with the presidential nomi-
nation. The most important Of these
conferences has to do with the situa-
ton in Illinois. Those who are not
thoroughly familiar with conditions in
that state find it difficult to believe
that the state which does not appear to
be disturbed by the evidence of a
Jack pot" in its legislature is prepared
20 go over to the progressives. Yet
there is a movement on foot 10 deliver
a goodly portion Of the Illinois delega-
ton to the next national republican
convention to Senator Robert H La
Toilette. OF Wisconsin.
Merriam Leads Ants.
Prof Charles e Merriam, recently
defeated candidate for the office OF
mayor Of Chicago. is the man who is
has been IN Washington for several
days comforting with progressive sena-
tors and representatives with a view OF
getting their support in the organiza-
ton Of a state branch Of the National
Republican Progressive League. and
also for the purpose OF committing
the state to progressive candidate
for the presidency. The first step in
this direction viii be a dinner IN Chi
cago on May Is. The object OF the din
ner IS to formally organize state
branch Of the progressive league and
to launch Q La Toilette boom in Ill
nois One thousand prominent citizens
OF Illinois have s!gntded their anten-
tior attend the dinner and take up
the work Of organization turnout the
state. Senator Jonathan Bourne. OF
Oregon, has been delegated by the pro-
gressive republican senator's to rep
resent them at the dinner and make
the principal speech.
I Professor Merria-m's determination
to come out for Senator La Toilette as
against President Taft Is regarded as
OF unusual importance IN view Of the
attitude taken by the administration
during the recent municipal campaign
IN Chicago.
Made ovsrtures IN Campaign.
Il was learned today that the admin
istration endeavored to esta bfish
friendly relations with the progressive
element in Chicago headed by Profess
sor Merriam, when he was running for
mayor The c!aa ga: 70 demonstrate
that the administration was in hearty
accord with the Merriam campaign,
and to prove this 1t was proposed 70
have Secretary Macvea9h and Secre-
tary OF the interior Fisher make sew
eral speeches in his behalf Another
part Of the plan was to have Governor
Deneen make a couple OF speeches. It
so happened that Governor Deneen fs
generally accepted as the man relied
upon BY the administration to take &C
tive charge OF the CAM aign for a Taft
delegation in 1912. It also happens
that Secretary Fisher Is pne OF Profess
sor Merriam's most intimate friends,
and there Is also q strong bond OF
friendship between Merriam and Sec
rotary MacVeagh.
Asked to Keep Hands Oh.
Secretary Macveagh. Secretary
Fisher and Governor Deneen were each
and all Informed by Professor Merriam
that he would very much prefer that
they refrain from taking any part In
his campaign. While his communica-
tons to the three men who had pre-
ferred their assistance was couched in
diplomatic language It is known now. II
It was not at the time, that Professor
Merriam refused the assistance Of the
national and state administrations be-
canse neither he nor his friends regard
ed President Taft or Governor Deneen
sufficiently progressive to Justify iden-
tifying them with the Merriam candf-
cacy. It Is known now. II It was not
then. that Professor Merriam was at
that time contemplating a campaign in
the interest Of some progressive repub-
lican for the presidential nomination.
He has now decided upon Senator La
| Toilette and declares that a majority of
| the Illinois delegates Will be for the
senator. This assertion is supported by
Representative Kopley. OF the Eleventh
Illinois district, progressive republic
can. Illinois men who are familiar
| with the work being done by Professor
Merriam assert that he will have no
difficulty financing his progressive
campaign. It Is pointed out that Mr..
Merriam's campaign expenses were
$4,000, and that he could have had
much more than that amount had he
needed It. Professor Merriam is said