South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-10
An UNHoLY ALLIANCE.

II begins TO look as if there would
be but two parties in the city mayor
atty race this fall. With the refusal
OF VIM. r. Oren to be a candidate on
the republican ticket and the appar-
ent unwillingness Of any other good
republican patriot TO be slaughtered
on the altar even though the good
name of the party is at stake, the cen
tral committee is ready to quit.
They are still ready to conduct the
fight. however. if the republicans gen
orally will get back of them and sup
ply a candidate, but the rank and file
must act now if the party is TO be
represented in tn, field this year.
The bull moose party leaders mean
while have quit cold.
The great task now ahead of the
citizens party leaders is TO so build
their platform and so choose their
standard bearer that they will be able
To draw into their ranks the majority
OF both republicans and moosers.
And that means some dexterous
straddling.
going into the citizens movement with
the intention of capturing it, Of put
ting the final quietus on bull moOsism
and of making straight republican
party ticket and campaign under the
citizens name.
How this will suit either the bull
moosers who are the real victims Of
the maneuver, or the Triumvirs who
became citizens because they thought
they could grab control OF the city,
or the Tribune, which quite recently
heaped ignominy and denunciation
on the heads of these same republic
can leaders as "men who had con-
trolled things for years for selfish in
terests". or how it will appeal to the
ordinary good citizen who honestly be-
lieved thay the new party meant what
its Unprecedented leaders said IL
meant-all these things remain to be
seen.
1t is certainly an unholy alliance,
and the problem Of drawing up a
platform or selecting a party candi-
date who will be at all satisfactory to
the various incongruous elements will
form an interesting study.
At least three out of the four chief
elements of the party will have TO
sacrifice their desires or their prin-
ciples. One element at least is certain
TO be handed a gold brick. and that
Is the one composed of the good citi-
zens who really thought the citizens
party was "a movement toward non
partisan politics and good government.
The bull moosers in keeping out of
the field Will lose their organization
and the power TO achieve their ends.
Whether they can stick for a straight
republican domination OF the party,
a merger Of their party with the re-
publicans in which they will get Moth
ing, suggests possibilities of dissen-
sion.
If the Triumvirs should control the
organization the selfish purpose back
of their scheme will De certain to be-
come so apparent before election day
as 10 form a most serious obstacle TO
success even should such control be
at eall acceptable 10 the other ele-
ments OF the party. In such event
ih@e itPuotiNhiiS ihisAt AO5AN0 'HS NS'S
they decided they do SO decide at
the mass meeting shortly TO be held
10 give up their party organization.
Lastly if the republicans should SO
into the citizens movement and con-
troll it, we may see the spectacle OF
some bitterly disappointed Triumvirs
packing up their school books and
going straight home.
The only thing that stands out is
the purpose back OF the whole scheme
to try to win. regardless of any prin-
ciples.