Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1914-04-24
TALE Of A
POLITICAL TRICK
NEW LIGHT ON RECENT DAKOTA
PRIMARY CAMPAIGN
SCHEME OF DECEPTION
UNCLE JOE GETS WISE TO A PLAN OF
CRAWFORD'S FRIENDS TO MAKE
him THE BOCEYmAN

Washington, D. c., April M-The
story Of strstagem which failed In
connection with the recent re-
publican senatorial primary election in
South Dakota is being related in Wash.
ington.
It appears that the opponents Of Rep
resentstive Charles H. Burke, who was
contesting with Senator Coe I. Crsw.
ford for the nomination, conceived the
idea of linking him arm in arm with
prominent republicans who are IN.
popular in South Dakota. They thought
1t would be an easy thing to beat Burke
IL they first could make the people be-.
lieve he was hooked up with "Old Jee"
Cannon, Smoot, the "Mormon SENATOR"
and other reviled and hated republicans
who are used as bogymen and hobgob-
Inns. 1t was the plan Of these oppo-
nents of Mr.. Burke,that while he was
being made a Porthos to D'Artegnan
Cannon, Athos Smoot and Aramis
Guggenheim, that Senator Crawford
would be shown as standing all robed
In white, pure and undeflled, with "pro-
gressives' like Senator La Toilette,
Senator Cummins and Senator Norris.
The senator from Iowa and the sen.
stor from Nebraska came across with
letters to the effect that Senator Craw-
ford was progressive in good standing,
but the senator from Wisconsin baked
and nothing could jar him loose--not
even trip to Washington by Il. O.
Shober, the Crawford campaign man.
ager.
An Interesting Topic.
But the sly procedure which was un.
'dertaking to identify Mr.. Burke with
the "forces Of evil" is the thing that is
affording politicians here an interesting
conversational topic.
With the idea that "Old Joe" Cannon
was regarded by many republicans Of
South Dakota ss the very incarnation
Of the "ipvisible government" the op.
ponents of Mr.. Burke sought TO get
from him an expression commencing
Burke to the republicans of the state,
figuring that boost from the former
czar Of the house of representatives
would be the most effective kind of q
knock.
So telegram was sent to Hon. Jo.
seph G. Cannon. Dsnville, ILL.,, asking
for word which would help bis old
friend, Representative Charles H.
Burke, in his campaign for the senator
ial nomination.
But your Uncle Joe wasn't born yes.
terday. II there is q wiser old fox at
large than Uncle Joe Cannon, he isn't
known in Washington. He smelt q rat
at once. He insttnctively knew that
"Cannonism" was the bloody shirt that
was being waved in South Dakota. A
second telegram urging him to send his
Endorsement of Mr.. Burke made the
cid fellow eplile sad exclaim, "whst q
funny world!" He saw through the
dishonest intentions Of the sender Of
the messages and he did not need to
have Mr.. Burke tell him few days ago
that neither he nor any Of his friends
had telegraphed to Dsnville for . Can
non expression of approval.
Letter To smoot.
Instead of sending telegram to Sem
ator Smoot, letter was sent. 1t was
signed by the editor of South Dakota
daily newspaper which fought Mr..
Burke with singular savageness all
through the campaign. Tho letter was
as follows:
Reed Smoot, Washington, D. O., Dear
Sir: You know c. Il. Burke, congress.
man from South Dakota for dozen
years. He is now running for the
senate against Senator Crawford for
nomination. / wonder II you cannot
cay word which would be availsble
for use In Mr.. Burke's campaign.
Sincerely yours,