Evening journal., 1911-10-21
SATURDAY. OCT. 81. 1911
MIXED POLITICS.

A T THE national conventions of the two great
1 n parties judging by the way in which the
leaders are lining up there will be sharp conflicts
between the conservatives and the radicals or pro-
gressives as they prefer TO call themselves.
In the Republican convention a conflict is GER
tain, for long before the time of meeting of the
convention one element of the partyhas entered the
field with avowed candidate, Senator LaFollette
of Wisconsin, and with platform which it will
attempt TO have the convention adopt
The meeting of the progressives at Chicago was
a remarkable gathering, certainly unprecedented
in recent years. The advocates of one candidate
meet in a convention, declare war the leader
of their party, President Taft, and boldly an
nounce that they will try to unhorse him in the
next national convention. Some of the LaFollette
advocates even go so far as to assert that former
President Roosevelt will be with them in their
fight, although they have no sound basis for that
opinion. The former President is keeping his
hands off at this stage of the play
The LaFollette candidacy is being pushed for
ward with vigor that makes II obvious that La
Toilette has some powerful friends who are will
Ing to- finance" his campaign.
II is now apparent that the progressive move
ment at its beginning had a definite purpose to
advance the interests of the Wisconsin Senator
and to capture the Republican convention II
takes but casual examination of the principles
for which Mr.. LaFoette stands and of those for
which a vast number OF Republicans stand espe-
cally in the East TO that the two factions are
at swords points, and the task Of reconciling them
may be difficult 1t is highly probable however
that the followers of LaFollette. if beaten in the
convention, will acquesce in their defeat and sup
port the ticket as better than any that the Demo-
Gratis may nominate. That has been their course
in the past.
On the other hand they may if defeated walk
out of the convention as did the Silver Republicans
In 1896 but the fate of those Republicans was not
such as to inspire the followers OF the Wisconsin
Senator to follow in their footsteps
1t is also becoming apparent that the Demo-
Gratis at their next national convention will have
troubles of their own. Mr.. BRYAN. is conducting
vigorous campaign to keep the Democratic con-
vention from falling into the hands of the con-
servatives. Although Woodrow Wilson should be
radical enough TO suit even Mr. BRYAN, the latter
has not yet come out in support OF the New Iersey
Governor. But the probabilities are that the radi
Gal element will finally line up behind the New
Jersey Governor, who is in hearty accord with
most Of the things for which the radicals stand.
There are straws which show that the Demo-
cratic conservatives will make struggle Thev
think, having captured the lower house of Con
gress, they have had, as they believe a cred
table record in that they have made no very had
plumbers and they would like TO continue along
the same course with the idea of winning above
every other idea.
or late Congressman Underwood Of Alabama
chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. has
been mentioned for the Democratic nomination.
especially by those Democrats who think that the
time has come when Southern man should be
nominated Mr.. Underwood may be classed as
conservative, for he says that II would be unw.se
10 insert into the Democratic national platform ar
Endorsement of the initiative and referendum AS
local issue he believes that the initiative and re
ferendum is sometimes successful. but TO attemp,
10 apply il to the nation would be to DESTROY the
fabric of the constitution. Mr. Underwood de
clares that this country is not true democracy
but has representative government
Governor Dix of New York. who seems 70 hav,
regained something of the popularity that he los
during the session of the Legislature declares tha
we are suffering from plethora of laws and regu
lations aimed at the conduct Of business In yiey
OF the many attacks that are made on business
Governor Dix thinks that it IS time to stop AM
consider.
From this kind Of talk it looks as if the line
OF cleavage in the party we're shifting as Governo
Wilson has intimated. There are factions in eac
party more in sympathy with each other than wit
the opposite faction of their party
The probable outcome is that next year III
middle-of-the-road element in each party will hol
the extremists in check, and that there will be n
break up or reagnment of parties on distinct
radical and conservative grounds as some are Dol
enough to predict