Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-03-21
THE QUESTION IS WHO sHALL RULE.

In affairs the question whether the legislature
shall represent the taxpayers or the taxeaters.
In national politics the question is shall the machine element
control, or Shall popular rule be extended
Party control for purposes not of good but Of
chine rule for spoils and plumber, is the issue.
The fight being made by the Taft campaign against
direct primaries is fully outlined by Judson Welver
Revolt being stirred every section of the Unon against
the effort Of the Taft campaign management to suppress the
demand for popular primaries.
Already the question of whether the people to have
thing to do with the management of the Republican party has
superseded all other issues in the preconvention fight
The Taft forces in many states directing energy to
prevent primares legislatures are being dragooned Office
holders being at work to intrigue against the popular
expression being taken and big business using its influence
lat every point.
The situation critical the leadership and the following of
national movement for restoration of the rule Of the people
are just realizing how grave it is.
Taft is nominated then matter whether he elected
not the eaconary crowd will have control of the Republican
pas machinery for the next four years. and that machinery
will be employed every state every possible way prevent
the extension of popular government measures.
To secure the support Of the most reaconay wing Of the
ddacy to the Mckinley element Of
the party,
Taft.
They will keep that control if they nominate him for four
years more whether they elect him not.
They regard 1912 a very likely Democratic year.
The most they seriously hope to out Of the wreck is the
control Of party organization.
To save that they willing to sacrifice the parys chance
of eectng the president this year. q
They know Roosevelt would be elected if nominated but they
velt elected
This kind of talk is heard and freely nduged day
by day and week by week
The increasing bitterness of the preconvenon campaign has
induced of franBness not before displayed.
The fight far the reaconary people concerned is
for control of the party vastly than the administration
If nominate Taft these argue lose the admins
aon to the Democrats but keep control of the party
Ichnery
If let Roosevelt be nominated loose the administration
to the progressves and the party machinery goes along
1t beginning to be questioned whether the president fully
realizes the extent to which this disposition amounts to be-
trayal of himself.
Even the forces that have been lined up for Taft don't feel
any enthusiasm any real fighting loyalty to him.
He is a figure-head; no more.
They fighting for party control in 1915.
One Of the commonest observations heard among them that
this progressive business has got be put down. and the par
ty gets licked 1872 will be ready by 1916 accept the
leadership that promises to bring back to power and drop all
the progressive ideas and programs
So the fight of the Roosevelt people for primary expressions
of presidential preference this year has suddenly the
huge significance of contest to the great movement Of
popular government.