Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-08-07
FACTIONS IN REPUBLICAN PARTY
MAKE POLITICAL SITUATION
UNCOMFORTABLE.
sDIsP osITloN TO SMOKE
OUT MEMBERS ON PRESIDENCY
Both Third Partyitss and Taft Men in
Many States Insisting That Congress.
sionaI and Senatorial Candidates
Shall Declare NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ents Want to Know.
Especial Correspordence.]

Washington, Aug. 1.-The troubles
Of the republican members Of congress
continue to thicken. They were numer-
GUS when the republican national con-
vention ended and signs of third party
movement assuming definite shape
and the leaders of that movement in
one state after another becoming in
crea sirgly aggressive. the situation OF
the republicans in house and senate
who have to fight for reelection this
year is getting constantly more en-
barrassing.
The growing disposition Of the third
party men and Taft leaders alike to
making life highly uncomfortable for
senators and congressman who are up
under the guns this fall. The recent
ultimatum Of Medill Mccormick to the
Illinois republicans who have been
nominated for the house was an IL
lustration Of the discomforts Of the
situation. 1t is true that some OF the
members Of the house who are seek
ing reelection told Mr. Mccormick IN
terms more forcible than elegant to 90
elsewhere, but this does not obviate
the fact these same members are
squirming on the spit and in dire po-
litical distress.
Fight Their Own Battles.
a growing disposition is noticeable
among the republican members OF
congress who are seeking reelection
to fight their own battles, or. at least.
to try to work out the problem along
that line. The Pennsylvania republi-
can nominees for congress took the
lead in this. They have decided to
conduct their own campaign and open
their own headquarters. They are go
ing to make their own fight and let the
fight over the presidency take care
OF itself.
This is what large numbers OF the
republican nominees for the house and
senators who want reelection in other
states would like to do. They would
like to steer clear of the Taft-Roose-
Welt fight. They would like to have
the voters consent to the doctrine that
the nominee for the house or candidate
for the senate IS to be considered apart
from the presidential contest and voted
Tor or against on entirely different con-
siGerati tons.
That many Of the members of con-
on "a plan of this sort is clear 1t Is
not so clear just how the voters Will
take it and whether they will permit
it.
Trying to Force Issue.
The disposition is apparently grow
ing in some states both among thiro
party leaders ard among the regular
to try to compel nominees
for office. especially congressional can
didates, to come out into the open on
the presidency. This is something Few
OF these candidates are willing TO 90.
To come out for Roosevelt means loss
Of the old guard vote and to come out
for Taft means loss Of the progressive
vote.
The disposition OF the Tart leaders
in Connection with the Ohio situation.
The word has gone out that EFFORTS VIII
be made to Dust all members OF the state
committee who are not for Taft ana
that candidates for state or congress
sional places who do not declare
gainst Roosevelt will find themselves
opposed by Taft candidates. This will
be carried so far that even in case
man is trying to run on both the Taft
and the Roosevelt tickets he will find
himself opposed unless he abjures all
relations with the Roosevelt contin-
gent.
Hearing From Constituents,
On the other hand, nominees for the
house and candidates for the senate are
daily being urged by letter to declare
for or against Roosevelt or
for or against Taft The letters that
are pouring in on members Of the
house and senate apropos Of this are
not merely numerous but they are dis
tinguished by frankness which has
seldom II ever been known before. The
average voter this summer seems to
have penchant for writing ugly let
tiers in which he says just what he
thinks. Such a thing az tempering the
tone and mitigating the harshness to
ease down the souls Of the politicians
does not seem to be known.
It Is bad enough now, when congress
10 still in session. and senator's and
who seek reelection are
with their wrought up con-
stituentss at long range. But what IL
worrying the average member Of house
and senate is what he is going to say
when he has to 90 on the stump and
face the music. He Is thinking what he
will say when some rude parsonage on
a front seat fixes . steely eye on him
rs he is Fdescanting on the glories Of
the republic and asks:
Are you going to vote for Taft or
Plenty Of ingenious evasions Of this
questioneof similar questions have been
framed DIP In these parts recently but
the voters may insist on direct, yes-or-