Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-07-15
IOWA COULD DETERMINE
WHO CANDIDATE WOULD BE
Middle West Would Follow Lead -
Probable That State Would Endorse
laFoIlette as Against Taft-Demo-
Gratis Might Also Resort to Referen-
dunn.
Special to Times-Republican.

rectly on their choice for the presi
Dental nomination. 1t is not at all
improbable that some sort of a refer
endum may be arranged by which an
expression may be obtained freely and
fairly. as the working basis for the
politics of 1912
There is no state of the union more
advantageously situated for taking an
early test OF public sentiment on the
presidential question. And If the re-
publicans do so it is more than proba Bile
the dem ocrats will also put il up to
their voters to decide for themselves
who they would like for party leader
in the coming campaign.
Iowa is a pivotal state with republic
cans: of less Importance for the demo-
Gratis. 1t is. however, we'll within the
bounds of possibility that Iowa, by an
early referendum, should decide who
shall be the standard bearers Of next
year.
1t is recalled that the matter Of the
Iowa attitude was determined early,
four years ago, by the unanimous and
decisive action of well attended con-
ference of the progressive leaders of
the state AT a time when, under the
leadership of the national committee
man for for Iowa and the railroad boss
and an ex-governor a movement was
we'll advanced for turning Iowa over to
the allies" the progressives cinched II
for Taft by deciding that no other name
should be considered. After that al
was perfunctory
But what was done then was sharply
criticised by many Iowa republicans.
They are demanding that the matter
be settled in some more intelligent way.
The demand is strong for an opportun-
ity for the men of the rank and file TO
decide for themselves as between vari-
Gus persons deemed fit for leadership
Of the party.
Iowa might easily get into the game
first Five states have provided legal
" for referendum. The first will be
North Dakota and then Nebraska will
follow. Neither has the force Of Iowa,
Later California and Oregon will vote
on presidential preference Then Wis
corsin. Probably New Jersey will do
the same. Why not Iowa?
Il is recalled that Senat tor Cummins
last year came out strongly in favor Of
a law that would give to Iowa people
the right to vote on their presidential
the governing body in control Of the
legislature decreed otherwise But it
is stated the matter can easily be ar
ranged IN an informal way and it will be
quite as effective. II is believed that
the particular champions OF no one of
the candidates could possibly object to
such an arrangement without subject
ing his cause to ridicule.
And If Iowa votes fairly and early it
will carry much of the middle west,
and very likely be decisive as to who
shall be the nominee of the party
More and more it appears certain
that the democratic machine in Iowa is
this year geared TO turn out delega-
ton for Champ Clark for president.
The fliendc OF Clark are already claim
ing that if the matter could be left to
a vote OF the democrats Of the state
they would decide for the pugnacious
Missourian, and it is entirely possible
that the vote Will be arranged for es-
pecially II the republicans do the same
thing. The editors Of the country
newspapers have not yet been touched
ty the Clark organization, but they
have not taken kindly to the 9TH
:-rs. Senator Gore of Oklahoma seems
to have taken it upon himself to work
lOWS IcI " OOuTOW w llSOH, anu ilt mas
rendered to the editors Of democratic
papers certain complimentary articles
for their tree use. Some OF them are
ready to print the matter; others are
Indifferent The Judson Harmon boom
proceeded more business-like. Plates
were offered for free use to the vari-
GUS ed:tcrs and many Of them accepted
Where they were slow to act an offer
was made to pay for the same. Failing
in this the matter was got into the
ready prints Thus Harmon has been
better advertised over the state than
either of the others. But a good work
ing organization for Clark was formed
long ago, had headquarters open, is en-
gagged in doing political work, had &C
cess to leading newspaper columns and
is quite prepared to make sweep Of
the state almost any time.
One Of the railroad attorneys here the
past week, a man Of keen discernment,
while attending the hearings this week,
said:
Governor Harmon is by long odds
the ablest man the democrats have to
| nominate. He has a fine record and he
| would undoubtedly have the best show
but for the evident hostility Of Bryan.
Now Bryan, or Bryan's friends, will
| control the democratic convention.
| which means that Harmon is not to be
considered. Bryan is not going to COM
| NIT himself now. If Wilson develops
great strength Bryan may swing to
! him, reluctantly perhaps. but in good
faith. But Bryan will not be for any
one so long as It Is possible for Bryan
to be nominated. He believes demo-
crat will be the next president no mat
+ap hoDnanS He would 1{1Sa he
the man But. If he can not be nont-
mated, and Bryan will know that long
before any Of the rest Of US. he will
throw his influence to Speaker Clark
and nominate him. And popularity
| Of it is that q great many Iowa demo-
Gratis who have been baking on Bryan
! are ready to join Bryan for Clark. 1t
really looks like Clark now"
The arrangement for direct refer
| endum Of presidential preference will
fit in nicely with conditions an they are
found in Iowa. The choice OF Iowa can
! not be determined now by drawing fac