The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-12-25
NEWS FROM THE
NATIONAL CAPITOL

it's support. If there was an inclina-
ton toward bitterness at times, and
If pictures were drawn of why things
happened to the party in 1912, they
were not dwelt upon at length, and
it was plain from the beginning of
the meeting that the committeeman
realized that the pressing question up
for their decision was not the method
of change, but the change itself.
"1n closing the discussion for op-
ponents of the special convention plan
Senator Borah expressed regret to
find himself not in harmony with
such of his intimate friends as for
mer Gov. Hadley, Senators Cummins,
of Iowa, and Jones, of Washington,
and others whom he held in high re-
Borah Advises Caution
'"I would not be candid with my
self, said the senator. If l did not
express my judgment in the situation
that confronts us. The great con-
test which will determine whether the
Republican party is to resume supre-
macy or pass into history will be
settled in 1916 All other skirmishes,
no matter how much they may be
emphasized, will be preliminary. We
can afford to be cautious and patien
in preparing for that great conflict.
"'If the Republican party adopts
a reactionary platform in 1916 it will
become nothing but the voice of the
aristocracy. I believe it is progress
sive, and want to gather up that
progressive sentiment and crystalline
it in 1916. II we call a convention in
1914, what position will we be in?
There are states with primary laws
not adapted for national convention
except for the selection of a national
ticket Such convention would in
evitably result in the selection of hand.
picked delegates in two-thirds of the
states, and any platform promulgated
would not be a true expression of the
rank and file of the people"
Would Be "Fulmination''
1.-THE senator further asserted that
a convention in 1914 would merely re-
suit in illumination in the air, and
that tho progressive element in the
party would not join in it. Turning
toward Mr.. Barnes, of New York,
with whom he had brush at the
Hilles dinner Monday night, Senator
Borah continued:
"Therc is no more astute political
leader in the country, representing
the views he docs, than Mr.. Barnes,
of New York, and unless some change
is made he will just as surely be as
potent in the convention of 1916 as
he was in 1912
care you afraid to make an issue
Of that?' interrupted Mr.. Hadley.
81 don't want to do it with my
hands tied and my feet hobbled,' re-
piled Senator Borah.
Senator Jones made a conciliatory
speech, and announced that while he
favored a special convention the
l.e.n idea was to get together.
eve cannot afford said the soma.
tor. to- wait for something to turn
up as a consequence of Democratic
legislation"
Play Big Politics
Under the above caption the Wash
ington Times discussed the big poll
tics at the meeting as follows:
Under the surface Of the COM
mittee's deliberations ran the big pol
tiles of Presidential boosting and
Senator Borah's name was most fire.
quently mentioned. Senator Cummins
and former Senator Hadley had sup
porters, but the name of Roosevelt
was taboo.
while many party leaders admit
ted Roosevelt's nomination was DOS.
sible.' sentiment appeared to DO
swung toward Borah.