The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1911-08-31
oFFIClAL COUNTY PAPER
SOUTH DAKOTA FOR LA


of Sept. 18th. for the purpose of
forming an organization to carry
South Dakota for LaFollette. This is
no new sentiment with Richards. 1t
was an open secret that LaFollette
was his choice four years ago when
the state, under Roosevelt influence,
went to Taft. But Taft's is not
the magic name in South Dakota
that Roosevelt's was. Neither is
Richards vitality interested in a SEN
atOrial campaign as he was then,
and fearful of complications. His
influence in the state probably has
been exaggerated, both by friends
and enemies, for South Dakota peo-
pie have shown q singular DISPOSE
ton to decide their questions for
themselves.
However, that Richards is willing
to acknowledge his belief in LaFol-
lette as he was unwilling to do four
years ago, speaks of a change either
In Richards or in public sentiment in
South Dakota. Probably there has
been some of both. Richards has cat
himself loose from almost everybody
in Office and it is doubtful if he will
be invited to act as for
any important candidacy in the
state or if he is planning to d, so.
Consequently he is free to indulge
his presidential choice as he wish
30. Others in the state may feel as
friendly to the LaFollette boom as
does Richards, without enjoying
freedom to declare it.
On the other hand, the LaFollette
opposition is not as we'll situated in
South Dakota as 1t was four years
ago. Taft on his own record is not
nearly so strong in South Dakota as
was Taft in the role of Elisha to
R%oosevelt's Elijah. On the contrary
n of the daily papers of the state
which has always prided itself up
nm Ito ~ ronIh1iaan ,ar,,1 rit1, So
squarely against the denomination
OF Taft, because of his espousal of
the reciprocity agreement with
Canada. On the other hand, raGica,
republicans are displeased with Taft
because he has not accepted the doc
trines or the suggestions of the I'm
surgent' republicans. Roosevelt
succeeded in rejecting much that was
proposed by the insurgents" and
yet retaining their friendship, be-
cause he at all times emphasized the
need of remembering what was prac.
tical Of accomplishment. Thus it is
that Taft's weakness in South Da-
kota is ready to become the strength
of any other candidate who shows
himself able to profit from it.
But can LaFollette do that? Uu-
Questionably he is popular with the
people. This has been proved again
and again by his strength with the
Wisconsin voters, who are repre-
sentative of the western public. But
all the power of the administration
and of those who have a selfish in
terest in standing by Taft, will be
joined to the influence of those who
are pleased by Taft's conservatism.
Furthermore, LaFollette must over
come that political inertia which
has carried down to defeat so man
leaders who have tried to hurry the
millions. Again, there are admirers
OF LaFollette who for some vague
reason doubt the policy of making so
radical a man president. And, on
top Of it all is the common belief
that even If he secures respectable
support from the middle west, La
Toilette cannot win in the national
convention.
Nevertheless, it would be a high.
y interesting experiment for the yot-
ers of South Dakota to be asked to
choose between Taft and LaFollette,
N y the selection Of the delegates.
4 the. question is put squarely to
th.sn. there may be surprises in the
result: Furthermore, it viii be al