Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-07-13
OF CONGRESS SEEKING
REELECTION LAMENT pEMoR.
ALLIED STATE OF POLITICS.
MUST CAMPAIGN ON
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
To Support or Not to Support Prssi-
DENTAL Nominee Vsxins Question to
Many-WithdrawaI Of TAFT Would
Relieve Nervous Tension But Little
Probability That He Will Step Down.
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence.]
Washington, July 13.-Loud and long
lament is going up these days from re-
publican. members Of house and senate
over the demoralized state Of politics.
Wherever two republican members OF
congress gather together row one may
be sure politics is discussed. When
three get together it is well-nigh GER
tain there is political conference.
Senate republicans who come up Cor
re election the coming winter are
troubled and embarrassed. and house
republicans whose fate Will be deter
mined in November are even more
troubled.
One Of the symptoms Of this troubled
state of mind is the talk which is be-
ing INDUCED about petitioning Presi-
dent Taft to quit the ticket and similar
talk to have the contest cases of the
tainted" delegates submitted to some
impartial tribunal.
Small Chance Of Withdrawal.
The likelihood that President Taft
would give up the place he holds on
the ticket is extremely small. Still. this
is talked OF as a feasible way out Of a
difficult situation. Republican candt-
dates for office are declaring that some
way must be found to save the party
but it is impossible to repress the idea
that what they really mean is to save
themselves from defeat
1t is probable the talk about getting
the president to quit the ticket will
end In nothing 1t will. however. serve
to make the situation more annoying
for the president and will continue to
keep feeling aroused concerning the
manner OF his nomination.
Counsel in Abundance.
Letters and kilograms are piling in
on republicans in congress, especially
house republicans, giving them all
sorts Of counsel as to what to do.
These letters and messages are not all
pleasant reading. Some OF them threat
en- political revenge II the course roc
commended is not taken. Some Of the
letters attack Taft and predict dire
happenings to the man who supports
him. Others threaten trouble Il Taft
fails to get support.
Under such circumsta noes, the av-
erage congressman does not know
what to do. He fears that II he comes
out and says he will support the pres
ident as the nominee Of his party he
will be knitted and cut to pieces and he
fears that If he does not come out for
Taft he will be slashed from another
direction.
Must Stand on Own Records.
The situation about gets down to
this. in the states where anti-Taft sem
timent is strangely pronounced: Re-
90 1i lot FIR h,0
and senate alike, will be compelled to
make their congressional campaigns
district from the campaign on the pres
idential ticket Members of the house
and senators will have to 90 before the
re election on the strength Of those
records. So far as the presidency is
concerned, it will be laid to one side
as for as this Is possible.
In other words, the campaigns Of re-
publican candidates for house and SEN
ate this year are going to be in large
measure personal. In some cases the
candidates will rcpudiate the presi-
dent as the nominee. in others they
will refuse to approve him, and in 9TH
ers they will give him support. It may
be predicted. however. that III but few
hASSt ASSo Will lHe QISsIuShl nave OuCA
support from congressional nominees
! as to add to his strength.
Progressive republicans in congress
who will not support Taft and are not
ready for third party will endeavol
to secure reelection on the strength OF
proved service to the progressive
cause.
Parlous Times For Candidates.
In districts where there is third
party nominee. the progressives in the
house and senate will not have the
opportunity to make nearly a. effec-
tive use of their records as elsewhere
It IL known that democratic leaders In
the fight to control congress are bank
Ling much on this.
In other words. these are parlou,
| times for the candidate.
These are great days for the storm,
petrol in politics" said Representative,
Victor Murdoch. Il must say. tho, tn,
petrol hardly knows where to light"