The Washington times., 1911-08-06
PRESSING
PRESIDENTIAL BOOM
Of GOV. MARSHALL
Representative Dixon In
Charge Of Forces Seek
ing Support For Him.

While other managers Of Democratic
Presidential booms fit in and out OF
Washington. the management of one
boom has been continuously in the
Capital since the cold and cherries
days of last winter. The candidacy of
Thomas R Marshall. governor of In
diana, has been in the keeping OF the
two Senators and twelve Democratic
Representatives from that State since
the night last January. when Thomas
Taggart, national committeeman from
Indiana, proposed at a banquet of 100
Indiana Democrats that, from that hour
until the winning ballot in the national
convention, Indiana be for Thomas r.
Marshall for President
During the last week, anticipating the
adjournment Of Congress and the con-
sequent scattering of the members of
the delegation. the Indiana Senators and
Representatives have been holding in
formal conferences to the end that the
Marshall boom should be kept we'll to
the fore.
Dixon In Charge.
By common consent the details of the
Marshall candidacy were placed in the
member OF the Ways and Means Com
mittee. He is the recognized head of
the boom. At the same time each Sena-
tor and Representative is constituted
power unto himself to let no opportun-
ity go by to forward the Marshall
cause. Mr.. Dixon has kept in touch
with leaders in a great many States,
and is greatly encouraged with the
Marshall prospects
hxr
ernor Marshall second choice, yet some
of the Indiana politicians point out that
he occupies an enviable position should
there be hard fight between the Har-
mon and Wilson followers. They con-
tend that Marshall, being neither pro-
nounced Bryanite nor conservative,
should naturally be the second choice
of the delegates pledged to Harmon and
Wilson.
Governor Marshall has conducted
in dignified manner. sticking close
to the constitution, doing nothing sem
sational and constantly enforcing econ
Omies in State government. About the
only unusual thing done by Governor
Marshall was his refusal to appoint a
military staff. Every former governor
was surrounded by a large staff of
brilliantly bedecked captains, colonels.
and majors. Governor Marshall Is a
man of simple habits. He dislikes gaudy
display.
Writes a Constitution.
In the line of constitution making.
Governor Marshall has outdone some of
the recent conventions in various States
and Territories. Last winter, at odd
times, he wrote an entire new constitu-
ton for the State of Indiana. He sent
1t to the Democratic legislature for ap-
proval, and obtained it in the course of
a couple Of hours. He then issued
call for a general election this fall at
which the people will have an oppor-
tunity to pass upon the proposed con-
stitution. The old constitution provided
for a convention when a sufficient num-
ber of people should decide that new
constitution was needed. Governor Mar
shall obviates the enormous expense of
a convention by Offering his handmade
document as substitute for the old
constitution.
Some people think he has gone beyond
his authority in the matter, but so far
he has been upheld by the State courts,
and it now looks as If the Tom Mar
shall Constitution would be the future
fundamental law of Hoosiers. So far
as known no governor of any other
State ever undertook such big job.
Keeps Indiana In Line.
One of the strong arguments for the
Marshall candidacy is that Indiana has
outdone other Northern States in Demo-
cratic victories. Marshall was elected
governor three years ago and brought
in a Democratic legislature with him.
This victory was followed last fall by
the election of a complete Democratic
State ticket and another Democratic
legislature. The Congressional delega-
tion is Democratic with the exception
of one district.
Senators Kern and Shively are per-
sistent Marshall boomers and promise
Indiana's thirty electoral votes to the
Democrats in 1912. To make absolutely
sure of the State being in line they in
sist on the nomination of Marshall.
In order that Manager Dixon, the
Senators and Representatives may push
the Marshall candidacy to the limit
during the closing days of the special
session. Stokes Jackson, Indiana Demo-
cratic state chairman, and sergeant-at-
arms of the House, has returned from
his vacation to give every possible aid
in acquainting the House membership
with the fine qualities of the Hoosier
governor.