Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-04-04
L0R|MER AND HIS
MEN ALL FOR TAFT
Their Customary Methods Being
Used to Secure Delegates to
National Convention,

STEPHENSON, TOO, IN LINE
Senators Who Voted to Seat These
Representatives Of Privilege and
Special Interests United
In Working for Taft's
denomination.
Because of the high-handed methods
which have been used by the Taft
managers to secure delegates for the
fehom1nation Of the president, a stu
alton has arisen in the ranks of his
own supporters which is bound to
have tremendous influence upon the
results Of the Chicago convention.
There is developing feeling among
them that the methods they have pur-
sued are wrong, not because Of their
realization that the ordinary rules Of
ethics have been violated, but because
the fact is being brought home to
them that the rank and file of the
American voters are determined upon
clean politics, especially in connection
with the nomination and election Of
| their chief magistrate. The country
has witnessed the spectacle of the
dragooning of federal Office holders
not only in the south but throughout
the land for the purpose of forcing
the selection Of Taft delegates. OFF,
Gals daring to display independence
are subjected to charges of pernicious
| political activity or threatened with
discipline. In the Indiana state con-
vention contesting Taft delegates from
Marion county were permitted to vote
upon the question Of whether they
should remain in the convention. In
New York the gross frauds which
disenfranchised thousands of Republi-
cans added crime to the farce of the
State. In Colorado the Guggenheim
machine, supported by the vast power
Of the Guggenheim interests, domi-
mated the situation and forced the
election of delegates pledged to vote
for Mr.. Taft.
These conditions have been repeat
ed elsewhere and give distaste to
candidacy of a man promoted by such
outrageous methods. Wherever a
proper primary is held there is absent
the cry of fraud. In the case of North
| Dakota, for example, no one ques-
toned the result This likewise was
true of Oklahoma. 1t will be true Of
Nebraska, California. Oregon, New Jer-
| fc will
true also Of Illinois and Maryland, if
those states shall secure presidential
preference primary law such as OBJ
tains in North Dakota and other
states.
Composition of Taft Machine.
In view of the way in which the
Taft machine is operating, 1t is inter
esting to see who compose it. Its
manager, Congressman Mckinley Of
Illinois, is traction magnate, warm
personal friend of ex-Speaker Joseph
G. Cannon, and one Of Cannon's most
ardent supporters in the house Of
representatives. Mckinley was re-
warded for his subservience by ap-
pointment to craftsmanship Of an i'm
portant committee and by being
placed in charge of the congressional
campaign committee. In this way he
became quite power among his fell
low congressman, and during his
years in Washington became known
to Aldrich, Crane, Smoot and the
other representatives of the Inter
J ests." Aldnch is still in Washington,
watching over various matters in
which he Is interested and which are
important to his friends in New York,
and assisting in the direction of the
Taft campaign. He still maintains the
most friendly relations with Mr.. Taft,
speech at Boston, after having ap-
proved the tariff law, which the then
senator from Rhode Island largely
framed. In passing, 1t may be said
that the reports of the tariff board on
the wool and cotton schedules of this
law show the disgraceful protection
accorded to the wool and cotton man.
ufacturers under it. Particularly in
connection with cotton, the duties
upon which aroused Mr.. Aldrich's es
pecial concern, because of the pres
sure or the cotton trust, known to the
trade as the Arkwright club, it should
be noted that the tariff boards report
, shows that American labor, especially
upon plain goods, is no better paid
than English labor, and that the sole
result Of the duties is to keep the
American market for the special ex
3 ploitation of the Arkwright club either
! in normal or abnormal times.
Mr.. Aldrich approved the choice Of
Mr.. Mckinley as Mr.. Taft's campaign
manager. So did Senator Crane Of
: Massachusetts and Senator Penrose Of
Pennsylvania, whose cynical disregard
of the rights Of the plain people 1.
known the country over. In fact
Crane recommended Mr.. Mckinley Il
Mr.. Taft. Smoot Of Utah regards thu
selection as an excellent one.
Nav BE Iudoed nv Their Ac+iope