The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1911-10-05
OFFICIAL COUNTY PAPER
AN EXHIBITION OF HARMONY

AN EXHIBITION OF HARMONY
Despite all predictions Of a serious
conflict between rival supporters OF
Senator La Toilette in South Dako-
to, the conference held in this city
by the followers of the Wisconsin
Senator proved t o be an exceedingly
harmonious affair. Not a discordant
note was heard at either OF the two
meetings. The Huron meeting was
recognized to the extent of includ-
ing the campaign committee of five
named there in the campaign COM
mittee of ten, named here. Furth-
er the selection of q president and q
secretary for that committee by the
Huron conference was allowed to
stand. Thus it is clear that a spirit
of Cancellation as between friends of
La Toilette animated the proceed
ings In Mitchell. The conference
was we'll attended by representative
progressive republicans from all
parts of the state. While the en-
thusiasm was not as marked as it
would have been with such a stand
a%rd-bearer as Roosevelt, there
seemed to be general accord that
La Toilette should have the support
of South Dakota in the next nation
al republican convention.
The principal speakers. Senator
Crawford and Governor Vessey,
made it clear that they had no inten-
ton of carrying the fight outside
the republican party. 1t was de.
clared emphatically that the regu-
lar nominee of the national conven-
tion would receive their support.
Senator Crawford in particular pre-.
sented his reason for believing that
the democratic party does not offer
a promising medium through which
to establish the principles for
which the progressive republicans
are contending.
The necessity of supporting La
Toilette fc:. the presidency was rep
resented as political rather than
otherwise. The president in his
Massachusetts speech had question:
ed the sincerity of the progressive
republicans. This compels them to
choose between q fight for a pro-
gressive republican in the national
convention, or surrender of their
identity. The. president meanwhile
justffies his record by the fact that
he has found his party divided be-
tween regulars" and insurgents
with the regulars" in the majority,
and that he must work with his par
ty as he finds il, recognizing neith-
Ell faction to the exclusion of the
other. He apparently has gone still
farther than this and considered the
majority faction as the n entitled
to the more consideration. From the
standpoint of the progressive re-
publicans, this is an impossible pol
Icy, for. as Senator Crawford put ii
yesterday they see the president
trying to accomplish progressive
legislation with the assistance of
those who are upalterably opposed
to such measures.
As sentiment exists today, there
is little doubt that La Toilette
would carry South Dakota for the
republican nomination for president.
Politicians who have kept in touch
with the people are fully aware Of
Taft's weaktess. His associations
with the so-called common people
have been SO limited that he does
not understand them and he has not
been able to win their confidence.
Yet it is possible that the president
may strengthen himself before the
primaries are held. If his tariff
board should make a popular re-
port in favor Of downward revision
OF the tariff and if Taft takes up the
fight to secure such reductions. he
will surely gain in popular strength.