The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-10-09
MuLvANE ON TAFT


Director Mulvane, in charge Of the
western bureau of the republican ma
tional committee, in reviewing the
progress of the campaign during the
week, said today:
illinois is the pivotal state.
With Illinois in the republican
column, President Taft will be cleo
ted by a safe majority in the elector-
al college. He can be elected without
Illinois because New York is no long
er doubtful, but with this state Civ
ing him its electoral vote, the result
is assured.
And President Taft will carry ILL
nois. The only uncertainty at any
time was the extent of the republican
vote which would go to Colonel Roose-
yelt. We now know that this will be
a minimum. The normal Republican
majority in Illinois is $4,000. Even
If Colonel Roosevelt polIed on Noyem-
Der 9TH all the votes he received in
the primary last spring there would
still remain practically 100000 Re-
publican votes against him. AS al
matter of fact, Roosevelt will not get
ten per cent of his primary vote. Our
polls in many counties show that he
will not get over one per cent. The
danger that Roosevelt can, by his
boiling, attempt to organize third
party, defeat the Republican ticket
in this state no longer exists
The Republicans of Illinois are APP
preciating the great opportunity
which is afforded them to continue
the policies and laws, which, under
Republican administration, have Civ
en- this country unexampled growth
and prosperity and which insure a.
continuance of the safe and steady
progress of the past sixteen years.
Our Democratic opponents now
realize that Mr.. Taft is the one can
didate they must, defeat. They know,
too, that he is gaining strength every
day. Instead of now predicting that
Woodrow Wilson will be elected with
out a struggle, they are fighting des-
perately TO win.
They have changed their plan of
campaign. Instead OF keeping Cover
nor Wilson at home to deliver acad-
emic speeches to delegations which
did not appear they have him travel
ing night and day to secure publicity
and arouse enthusiasm. They con.
Tess that they have been over-confi-
dent.
'.But there is one part of their
campaign which cannot be and will
not be changed The chief Democra-
tic issue is free trade. This issue will
not win in a country made great and
prosperous by the protective system
Manufacturers, business men, work
ingmen, farmers and. salaried employ
ees, all vitality concerned in continu-
ing present business conditions, do
not have to wonder what viii happen
If Wilson is elected. They know.
There will be business uncertainty
and anxiety during the many months
of waiting for tariff legislation. and
when the free trade law has been
enacted, foreign manufacturers viii
grow rich at our expense American
workmen will be idle. Banks will cur
tai their loans and deny capital for
investment because American money
will be sent abroad.
Upon this plain business issue, /
and because President Taft stands
for representative popular govern,
ment as against radical, untried and
unsafe theories, we will win.
The time has passed when Presi-
dent Taft had no chance Of election.
The tide is now running strongly to-
ward him, due to realization the
commercial and agricultural world or
what a Democratic victory would
mean He can and will be elected"