The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1912-04-18

upon the actual standing of the race
for the republican nomination. The
Taft delegates still outnumber the
Roosevelt elegates, by the ratio of
about three to two.
But nevertheless it cannot be de-
MED that the Pennsylvania result
will have great significance in the
contest. That 1t should have follow
ed the Roosevelt victory in Illinois
only adds to its impressiveness.
Here are two states that always
have been conservative in their po-
%litical complexion. Neither of them
is represented or ever has been repre-
scented, by a single %"insurgent" in
congress. In both of them and par
tlcularly in Pennsylvania, the federal
offices and the party machinery be-
longed to the Taft followers.
The question arises-and may we'll
be faced-w where will Taft secure his
following if he cannot carry the con
sentative states?
1t is true that Taft claims to be
a progressive. But it is also rue that
this is a relative term and that the
radical element in congress, that is
to say, the insurgents, are nearly .
unit in opposition to Taft's renom-
nation. On the other hand, the con-
Taft's campaign. Under the circum-
stances, ii conservative states break
away from their WI leadership rath-
err than support Taft, Taft cannot
expect to control many of the dele
gates from the more radical states.
Thus far the following states which
are normally republican in the gen
eral election, have selected their del.
Iegates to the republican national con.
vention: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana
Iowa Tin part), Maine, Michigan
New York, North Dakota, Pennsyl.
wanna, Vermont and wisconsin.
OF the 356 delegates chosen from
these states, Taft has 144, Roosevelt
has 1855, LaFollette has SO and 1:
are uninstructed. This mean 20:
delegates avowedly against Taft ant
10 who might go against him. Thes,
figures include New York, where tn,
primary law gave the delegates tt
which ever faction controlled the or
ganization.
The Republican throughout thi
campaign has attempted to stand d
broad ground. 1t has been the viey
of this paper that the question of
presidential nomination should al
ways be referred to the members @
the party in question, Those havin,
the welfare of the party at hear
should be glad to learn what candi
date meets the favor of a majorit
of the party members, for presum
rably such a candidate must be it
: best Offering for the general cam
y paign.
All are familiar with reasons VIII,
Taft has weakened himself politi
. ely. But that does not mean tina
he has been n whit dishonorabl
or that he has not distinguished him
self beyond a number of other pres;
: dents. 1t is pathetic indeed to viii
ness the spectacle of any man VIII
ho5 Si'SA .lOueSJ anu lultuIul publ
service and who is still denied tn
= compliment of a denomination. Blu
it remains true that the interest c
the party is superior to the claim
of any man, be he Roosevelt or Tat
or LaFollette, or any other, upo
u the party's favors.
9 Let the best man be nominated
" The party is entitled to that muc
and nothing less.
Ma>o"
According to the Sioux City jour
. nal, it has been rep%rehensible on tn
9 part of "the insurgents" to say tina
Taft could not be reelected if non
. mated. The thought is that such
{ course is damaging to the interest
I of the party. On the other hand,
surely is not a particularly damnabl