Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-25
DENEEN QUIzzES
COUNTY LEADERS
Asks Chairman How Various
Organizations Stand on
Taft Candidacy.
RIDING ON ANXIOUS SEAT
Governor Trying TO Find if His
Chances for Reelection Are
Materially Injured.

Chicago, June Ex-Governor Deneen
has wired the l02 county chairmen
to report how their separate organiza-
tions will stand in regard to the can
didacy of President Taft
He is sitting on the anxious seat.
for the decisions which will come from
the different localities spell victory or
defeat to his candidacy for reelection
as governor. politicians assert.
The governor has one trump card
in his hand. He went along with the
Roosevelt movement even further than
his political advisers told him was
safe
FLAUNTS NO FLAG.
He did not, however, fiaunt the
flag of progressiveness in the face of
the Taft men to such a degree that
they cannot willingly go to the polls
in November and vote for him.
AS matters now stand. he can ex-
pect an even break from both sides,
his friends say.
Ii is known that Colonel Roosevelt
personally is quite friendly to the
| Illinois governor. He realizes the sit
uation in this state and does not feel
I that the governors desertion was be-
cause he was not in full accord with
the progressive views. but because he
, felt that public welfare and public
policy in this state demanded such a
course Of action.
GOVERNOR HAS CONTROL.
AS matters now stand Governor
Deneen has full control of the republ-
can party organization in the state
| There can be no gainsaying that his
control is above that OF Roosevelt,
according to the men who are favora-
bic TO the governor. The only ques-
tion is whether or not the governors S
control is sufficient to cause the voters
to line up at the polls in November
and vote regular"
II he is able to get the entire
regular" and Roosevelt vote IL will
be a great surprise to politicians
He will have TO placate the radical
wing of the party which has been pro,
inounced in its favoritism for the col
onel 1t is not believed that a large
lumber of Roosevelt adherents Will
switch from the coloners banner back
into the regular" column. This means
decided detection from figures
which will show when the totals are
made up.
1t is probable, however, that the
answers to the kilograms will show
that the county organizations are still
regular" in spite of the preferential
= vote cast at the April primaries.
While that vote was expressive, i
| did not forecast party desertion.
1t is believed by the governor anC
p his lieutenants that the general run o
republicans will stay regular" rath
er than flop to an uncertain part!
leadership.
Roy o. Vests election as a membe
of the subcommittee to ascertain tn,
} presidents wishes as regards the ma
: of campaign and the personnel of tn
e directorate which will control his figh
: for reelection means a direct motto,
2 to Illinois that the party will SUP
| port the president in this state
HARD BATTLE FOR WEST.
Mr.. West had a hard battle in
winning election as national commit
teeman. He was opposed by Chaunce
Dewey, Roosevelt's representative il
I Illinois.
/ Dewey asked Roosevelt to deman
, his election, and whether or not tn
colonel did so the developments poin
e to the fact that Governor Deneen wa
e able TO thwart Colonel Roosevelt
o wishes.
/. Placed in this position, Mr.. Wes
G will do little other than prove "regl
e lar TO his party and assist in ever
= way in furthering the cause of tn
party nominee.