Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-11-16
OF IMMEDIATE IMPORTANCE.

lDes tMoines Register and LEADER.
Pending the decision Of the national
republican committee with regard to a
presidential primary and he introduce
ton in congress Of a bill to makep pres
~idential primaries compulsory. discus
sion Of what Iowa will do next spring
has suddenly stopped.
1t is so unlikely that the national
committee will make any recommended
ton that a presidential primary from
that sourc may be dismissed at once.
The committee is to meet on Dec. II.
and the decision will soon be known.
But the committee is so thoroughly re-
dictionary that nothing is to be expect
ed. lows is not the only state with a
member on the committee like Mr..
Hart.
1t is almost equally improbable that
congress hould order a primary cleo
ton in time to be effective. 1t is pos
sible that if congress should pass the
needed legislation. the president would
refuse to sanction it. 1t is not to be
overlooked, however. that Governor
Wilson favors a primary, and If his
friends in O gress unite with progress
sive republicans it may become SER
iously embarrassing for the conserva-
' - ANtiS pea - " 49, 49,
But assuming that nothing will be
done to settle the matter for Iowa, and
that the state central committee will
have a free hand when it meets, what
does the state central committee pro-
pose 10 do? The order of the commit
| tee will be final as to the method OF
choosing delegates at large. and as a
| primary election for delegates at large
would be in fact a primary election FOR
the state. the moral effect would be
tremendous, ven tho the individual
congressional districts should refuse 10
be constrained in the choice OF district
delegates.
Those who have opposed a presiden-
tial primary have persistently shut
their eyes to the alternative. They
have been prompt to point out the DIFF
f~iculties in the way Of the primary, but
they have refused to consider the diff
ficulties in the way Of the caucus. 1t
is not too early for the state central
committee. which Will have a cam
paign on its lands after the nomina-
tions nave been made. to be taking
serious account of the embarrassments
Of a caucus and convention fight at
this ticklish time in the politics OF the
state. LOB
If a presidenttaF primary is ordered
the whole matter may be left to the
people, and many political leaders will
coaten, themselves with an expression
Of individual opinion. But II 1t goes
TO the caucuses the question becomes
at once one of personal leadership, n
not a man can escape an active part in
the fight for self protection. Not to go
further, Senator Cumrnins has openly
| espoused the cause Of Senator LaFol-
lette, and Senator Kenyon Of the presi-
dent. In a primary election neither
, would be forced to consider his w
political leadership. But in a
ton that must become the principal
issue. 81
Where will the prospective candi-
dates for governor and congress and
the legislature be found in a bitter
caucus fight for control of the state
convention. And with what prospect
| will the party go into the election con-
test if in the present state Of public
feeling anything happens to intensity
bitterness?
Not only is a primary election right
in principle. in keeping with the spirit
Of the times, an act of fairness to the
individual voter, and something Iowa
is committed to almost more tina any
other state. but it is the only polite
and discreet thing for the state CEN
trail committee to sanction.