El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-05-13
LYON TURNED
TIDE FROM
TAFT
Still Holds Power and Will
Control Coming Texas
State Convention.
STORY OF HIS MOST
REMARKABLE FIGHT
n NJ. D. Hornaday.l


Lyon, who for the last II years has
been practically in control of the
Republican politics OF Texas, occupying
the dual position Of state chair man and
national committeeman, still retains MS
place at the head OF the organization
and continues to WELD an almost unim-
paired influence, as was shown by the
results Of the recent different county
conventions at which delegates were
selected 10 the state convention that IS
to elect the Texas delegates TO the ma
tiOnal convention.
When the announcement came from
president Taft q few months ago,
through secretary Charles ID. Hills,
that Lyon had been removed from the
position OF federal patronage distrlb-
utOr I'm Texas, is was freely predicted
by many Republicans who opposed the
sOCalled Lyon machine that this loss or
power meant his political downfall.
Following on the heels Of the news
from Washington that Lyon was no
longer persona grats TO the uatlOna-
administration. came the authoritative
Information that n. r. MacGregOr. OF
Houston, had been appointed manager
for the Taft presidential campaign In
this state
Lyon Ready for ARRAY.
This announcement was like waving
red flag IN the face Of a bull. so far as
its effect upon Col. Lyon was con-
Cerned. He and MaCGregOr have long
been political enemies They have been
lighting on opposing sides in the party
in Texas for many years
II was the signal for Lyon to grid up
his lOlns, so TO speak. and pitch In 10
win the state for Roosevelt. in the face
Of apparently overwhelming sentiment
for Taft that seemed TO exist in Texas
"a that time.
Power With a String to II.
Along with the announcement OF
MaCGreEOrS appointment came the
word that ne was 10 succeed Lyon as
federal patronage distributor in this
state Frowever. there was qualifying
clause to this statement. It was supu-
lated by ". 3. Mckinley, national man
ager for Taft. that MacGregOr's future
position as spokesman for the admin
istrStiOn in this state depended on
whether he delivered the goods IN the
matter Of carrying Texas for Taft
Made Remarkable Fight.
Lyon put up a most remarkable fight
and that he brought results is shown
by the unexpected turn OF political al
fairs in many of the counties where IL
was thought earlier in the campaign
Taft would have little If any Opposl-
ton In Texas. like most OF the south
ern states where the Republicans are
IN the minority. the contest In the mat
ter OF selecting delegates to the ma
tiOnal convention is fought largely
on the prospects Of obtaining or retain
ing federal office Tt is a party Of pat
dOnaEe largely. so far a s the majority
of the men who participate in and con-
troll the primaries and conventions are
concerned. 1t is usually a fight be-
tween the ms and the outs In the ear
~ part of the campaign. when II
seemed almost certain that Roosevelt
would make a very poor showing IN
the country the Republican office
holders in Texas were almost solid for
Taft In their support Later when
Roosevelt began making remarkable
OF the states the ohicehOlding element
In Texas began 10 hedge
Lyon Gets Busy.
Col. Lyon. who knows every detail
OF the political game, so Tar as this
state is concerned was quick TO take
advantage Of the apparent improved
chances of Roosevelt as a possible nom
inee of the party He sent to every
officeholder in the state circular letters
in which he laid claim that ROOsevelt's
nomination was assured and he en-
closed a statement OF the votes by
states. made up from his view point,
to prove his assertion The postmas-
tiers and other men holding office un-
der Taft's administration. and whose
appointment was obtained in nearly ev-
cry instance upon the recommendation
OF Lyon. stampeded 10 get into the
band wagon when they were led to be-
leVe that Roosevelt. according 10 Col
Lyons claims. was likely TO defeat IaIt
This accounts largely for the election OF
majority of delegates with Roosevelt
Instructions 10 the state convention
mained faithful TO the Taft standard
when IL came TO a showdown
Negroes Had Little Voice.
The negroes in this state had HItle
voice in the selection OF delegates IN
der the new election law. which re-
Quires the payment of a polltaN as a
prerequisite to participating IN prlIna-
ries and conventions. a great bulk OF
the negro Republicans are disfrdnchlSeo,
as they have not complied with that
provision of the law. Even in sucn
counties where they did participate IN
the primaries and conventions IN any
numbers they were controlled by the
'OfficehClding element
Col Lyon has been working for sew
eral years to build up white man
Republican party in Texas ana mas
practically succeeded in accomplishing
this. Mr.. MacGregor has long Deen !
prominently identified also with Ine !
sOCalled LiIywhite element or the party, I
so no appeal to the negro voters couid
be made from either side In the matter
Of opposing the respective leaders on I
the ground OF discrimination towards
them
Irrespective OF whether Taft or
Roosevelt is nominated by the ma
tional convention. il is practically GER
tain that Col Lyon win be reelected
chairman of the state committee ana
national committeeman for Texas lie !
Will be in control of the coming state /
convention al which delegates to the |
national convention VIII be elected and
he will also he the Oneman power IN |
the state convention that is TO nomi- /
nate governor and other state Ottlcers-