Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-09
The Nomination and Federal Office.
ESan Antonio Express.J

tSan Antonio ExpresS.J
There is every promise that the ex-
pectations Of those Texans who look
for spectacular features in the selec-
ton of delegation--or delegations
to the republican national convention.
which is to assemble at Chicago June
IS, will be realized. There is not lack
ing at present a single circumstance
that seemingly presages the storm that
formerly broke over Texas every presi-
Dental year.
With this storm or with its result
the Express feels no concern, and no
more interest than naturally attaches
to matters that may affect the name
and the character of the next repub-
lican standard bearer for the highest
office in the land. Whether II. +. Mac
Gregor of Houston, or Cecil A. Lyon OF
Sherman, controls the distribution of
federal patronage in Texas is not a
public question, not an issue that de-
mands solution by the people Of the
state at large.
1t is q matter of concern to all the
people whether the republican party of
Texas shall be led along lines of pub
lie veal, endeavoring to be g. force for
common good, or whether it degener-
ate again into a collection OF applicants
for pieces of public pie. Experience
hard and painful experience-to say
nothing of ali the teachings of the sci
cnce of government and the theories
Of political economists, has proved that
the state or community best governed
by representatives of the people is
the one where no party so dominates
the situation as TO make it fearless CT
political consequences. There are eN-
ceptions TO this rule, il is true, but they
are not SO common as not to DE proof
OF the general rule.
What President Taft. speaking thru
Secretary HifIeS, does with Colonel
Lyon concerns the republicans of Texas
alone. What such action may mean to
the republican party Of Texas concerns
every resident of this state. Chairman
Lyon may have been party boss as
some of his enemies allege, but his
chief offending, in the Washington eye,
seems his inability to view the iresi |
dent III the role of the only man fit
10 succeed himself. That is a view
utterly unworthy CT the president and
utterly unworthy the exalted station
re fills.
In all the tenure of his place as dis
penser of the federal patronage in this
state, Chairman Lyon has never for
gotten that he was a Texan and that
he owed Il duty to his state. No man
has been more careful of the character
and attainments of the men named for
III the public service than
he. There is not a fine! set of federal
in any state OF the union than
Texas has to offer, and every one OF
them OF consequence owes his appoint
ment to Chairman Lyon. That within
itself is something that ought to COM
mend Lyon to the good wishes of the
president. just as it cuTfimenes him to
the people of the state.
Texas republicans did not poll in the !
last election as many votes as the |
party had polled before, but the party |
now claims to be standing for some |
thing besides the spoils OF office. and. !
measured from every political angle, |
is decent. Texas as whole owes |
to Cecil a. L.yQp for making |
this u fact, and not. as it used to he. |
merely dream. u !
Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Hflles Rave the |
right to Play the game AS they see fit, !
hut efforts to iin:niiiate11con might NOT
have been the policy of more seasoned !
il the national political |
field. Recent developments IN Texas !
hGvn been spanking breezes in the sails |
that sometimes are raised at Oyster |