Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-05-27
Split Seems Strong al
the National Capital.
Progressive Republicans See
the Folly Of Boil MoossIsm.
Position Of Such q. cumimIn,, La.
Toilette, Brlstow, nadIey.

Washington, D. c., May 2s.-(Spe-
cial)-There is new impetus in Re-
publican reorganization The gel
together spirit seems strong, but it is
confined to those who have not vel
fully left the Republican party. The
LaFollettes, the Cumminses. the Bris-
lows, and the Norrises are joining
hands with all Republicans to present
some solidarity in future political
Contests. That has been growing very
1 apparent in the last few days :. Cau-
Scuses and conferences among Republi-
cans of the Senate and the HoJise and
me meeting of the national Republi-
an executive committee here in
ss asilington emphasize the purpose
10 get together.
While all these activities seem not
70 De Interesting the Progressivcs in
the slightest, a thoroughly harmoni-
Gus arrangement between men within
the Republican party can but affect
the Progressive party. 1t will be
more difficult for them to stay out of
the fold when all the other brethren
nave gathered Col Roosevelt has
! already made it clear he does not pro-
pose to have part in any fatted calf
proceedings nor. If he can help it, to
permit any festivities over the re-
turn OF Progressive prodigals. But
the fact remaina that very many
frogressives, practically all of Them
are former Republicans and cannot be
altogether Indifferent to the political
success of the national party with
with which most of them would yet he
animated had 1t not been for the Sc
eession of the former Republican
President
The fact also remains that har-
mony arrangements, which now seem
to be progressing so favorably, can
avail but little unless Progressives do
eventually come into camp For If
Progressives stay out Republicans
must of necessity be minority party.
The. accession of Progressive Repub-
iieans, or their closer amalgamation
with stalwart Republicans would not
normally make a majority party In
this country. Those who have been
50 active OF recent days in furthering
harmony are well aware of that fact.
But the hope is that these arrange
ments will attract great numbers OF
those voters who have been following
Col. Roosevelt and that when the next
election comes, which will be a Con-
gressional election, most of these
voters will be for the Republican
tickets. That is a logical Inference
because Col. Roosevelt's personality
undoubtedly Influenced many men to
Progressive standard In the Novem>
Der election of last year.
Progressives will undoubtedly stay
out of the next national convention
planned for the autumn or the spring
But this may not be altogether UNI
fortunate. Their leaders would be an
element of disccrd and the work pro-
posed toward arranging fairer basis
of representation and eectng ma
tional convention delegates by prim-
airy can be done just as we'll by the
Republicans who will be willing to at
tend the convention. The ultimate
program will be quite as attractive 10
the Progressive voters, as if their own
leaders had originally supported it.
There will be pitfalls in a national
convention. held between two presi-
conclusion that Southern delegates
VIII go to the convention, prepared to
make all the trouble they can and -
fight reduction in representation 10
the very limit And, as reduction in
representation will almost certainly
be one of the achievements of Re-
publican national convention, South
ern Republicans will depart dis
gruntled. 1t will be their way of
getting revenge to go over into the
Progressive party, if Col. Roosevelt
can hold out any hope to them But
Republican national conventions here :
tofore have had almost votes enough
to reduce Southern representation and
there is so much sentiment for the
change it should be easy now to put
across"
After all is said the get together
movement has cheered Republicans at
Washington tremendously. They are
we'll aware that a get together
movement to be effective must extend
down to the rank and file of voters
II can not be leaders movement''
altogether. 1t takes time for the
harmony idea to be talked down
through the ranks and for the average
voter to get it well into his head that
that is what he wants. The numer-
Gus parleys of the last few months
have been calculated to focus atten-
ton somewhat upon the subject and
it is hoped that the calling of a ma
tional convention and fairly sue
cessful issue thereof will stimulate
popular discussion of Republican har-
mony and encourage voters to sane
tiOn it.
OF course lot of Republican candi.
dates for Congressman office will b
afield within eight or ten months
representatives and senator's an
candidates for those places. If tn,
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