The Washington times., 1911-04-14
EARLY PRIMARIES
IN NEBRASKA AND
OREGON TO GUIDE
Republican Insurgents Ex-
pect Them to Give Hope
for Presidency.
TO BE WATCHED
OVER ALL COUNTRY
With Maine There Will Be Three
Political Barometers for
the Parties.

For many years the Maine elections
have served as the barometers by which
politicians the country over have beer
able to tell which way the political
wind was blowing. Maine holds heI
elections in September. two full months
before a majority of the States in the
Union.
Now, however, thre is a barometer
or rather a pair OF barometers, and they
, will furnish a better line on what Is
going to happen than Maine has ever
been able to furnish. The legislature
of Nebraska has just passed new pri-
mary law in which is Incorporated prac-
tically every doctrine for which the
National Republican Progressive League
stands sponsor. From national stand
point the new Nebraska law is of inter-
est because the people express choice
for President, and elect their own
national committeeman. Under the
new law the primary will be held IN
April the same day on which Oregon
operates it's now famous primary.
Food for Thought.
With the voters of Nebraska and Ore
gon. in two widely separated sections
of the country. going to the polls sew
eral months in advance of Presidential
election and expressing a choice for the
Presidency, campaign managers will be
furnished with some interesting food
for thought.
There is much speculation in Wash
inkton as to what effect the expression
Of a Presidential choice in Nebraska
and oregon will have on the voters Of
the country. The insurgents are look
ing forward to next April with con-
siderable satisfaction, for Nebraska and
Oregon are counted upon as certain to
be fruitful ground for the progressives:
They are hopeful that the voters of
these two States will vote for a pro-
gressive for the Presidency, in which
event they would expect their cause cause
they go into the national convention to
name Presidential candidates.
Neither the Republican insurgents nor
the regulars are going to overlook Ne
braska and Oregon from this time for
ward. The Democrats in the House are
giving every evidence of playing the
best kind of politics, with view to
lacking a Presidential election on to
their present success, and, Of course,
TO continue their lease OF power in the
House The harmony in the Democratic
ranks is source of never ending
amazement to the Republicans in the
House. and they have given up hope of
Time to Get Ready.
With the Democrats giving every evil
dence of proceeding along peaceful lines
and with no serious distractions visible
in the distance, Republicans in both
branches of Congress are already con-
WINGED that IL is time to get ready for
the Presidential fray.
While the talk has simmered down to
an insignificant muttering, the contest
between insurgent Republicans and reg
ular Republicans has not abated one
whit. The progressives are going to
make fight for the Presidential nomi-
nation. 1t is for this reason that the
situation in Nebraska and Oregon looms
up with more significance than would
ordinarily be the case. If President
Tafts political advisers can create a
sentiment in Nebraska and Oregon
which can be crystallized into a primary
. vote In which he would be the prefer
ence they will achieve a great victory
which, it is believed, is certain to have
q great moral effect.
1t Is believed in many quarters that
II will be easier to do this in Nebraska
thar in oregon, but the Presidents
friends will be glad to get the vote in
either state. While 1t is admitted that
the Presidential preference expressed In
either or both States will not be con-
elusive evidence of the trend Of the
NOuHlly IL Is dul1llleO, n6NeEIheleSS,
that 1t is important to make an impress
sion on the ever growing independent
vote and the vote which likes to get
aboard the band wagon. 1t is with such
a vote that the insurgents expect to
strengthen their cause in the national
convention.
Republicans Most Anxious.
Democrats in both House and Senate
are showing far less concern about the
Presidential election than are their Re
publican brethren. The actual control
of the House by democracy, and the
harmony which accompanies that con-
troll. has given the Democrats a Won
derful amount of courage. This, to-
gether with the favorable manner in
which their legislative program has been
received by the country has inspired in
every Democrat the belief that his party
viii capture the country in 1912.
Republicans who are counted upon to-
carr the jor share of the burden
from entertaining optimistic views about
the political outlook. They are slowly
reaching the conclusion that the Demo-
Gratis arc not going to make many seri-
Gus mistakes and, therefore, must pre-
pare their campaign issues along other
lines. The tariff will, of necessity, be |
the principal issue before the country |
and the Republicans are already agreed |
that the issue will be clean cut as be- |
tween protection and the kind Of tariff |
legislation that will be enacted into law |
during the present Congress.