The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1914-05-18
NATIONAL POLITICS
Hinges ON VOTERS
OF PENNSYLVANIA
ToMoRRows PRIMARIES MAY
FORECAST RESULT THROUGH.
OUT THE NATION.
BOSS PENRoSE STRUGGLES
HARD TO RETAIN SENATE SEAT
A. Mitchell Palmer, President Wilson's
Choice, Expected to Win Democratic
mination-Dimmick is Candidate
Of Anti-Machine Republicans.


vania citizens will troop to the polls
tomorrow to cast their ballots in the
most momentous primary contest ever
held in the state. For the first time
the candidates for United States SEN
ator are to be named by direct vote
of the people, instead of by vote of
the legislature. In addition to United
States senator, four congressman at
large and 32 district congressman, all
of the state officers and members of
the Judiciary, heretofore named by
party state conventions, are to be
nominated in the primaries for the
first time.
1t is believed in Pennsylvania that
the course of national politics will be
determined by the next election in this
state. Republicanism hopes to recov-
er its prestige by administering sig
nal defeat to the Progressives and
annihilating their organization. The
Democracy believes Endorsement Of 1t
by the Pennsylvania electorate will so
inspire the rank and file throughout
the Union as to make the party's over
whelming triumph in the presidential
election Of 1916 a certainty. The Pro
gressives hope that a repetition of
their victory in 1912 will stay immedi-
ately the OBJECTIONS which have been
so common elsewhere in the nation,
revive enthusiasm, and assure Col.
Roosevelt a more than even chance Of
returning to the White House.
Penrose Big Issue.
The candidacy of Senator Boies
Penrose for denomination on the Re-
publican ticket is the big issue Of the
campaign. Senator Penrose belongs
to the Old Guard Of Republicans In
the upper house, the "reactionaries,"
as they are termed by the progressive
element of the party, and his candi-
dacy for reelection has been made the
first point of attack by the Republic
can national leaders who are seeking
to force the retirement of the few old
timers who embarrass the rejuvena-
ton programme.
The anti-Penrose Republicans be.
lieve they have found a Moses in ].
Benjamin Dimmick, who is the opposi-
ton candidate to Penrose for the Re-
publican senatorial nomination, Mr.,
Dimmick is a former mayor Of Scran-
ton, He 10 a Yale graduate and is
engaged In banking and manufacture
ing in large way. He is not in any
sense of the word a radical in poll
tics. While describing himself as a
progressive Republican, he believes in
protective tariff and In Republican
principles generally.
The big question is whether Dim
mick's excellent record and personal
worth can tip the scales against the
mere weight and prestige Of the Pen
rose machine. Another factor in the
situation is the vote Of the thousands
of Progressives Of two years ago who
have returned to the Republican fold
this year, as shown by the registration
figures. If they should vote solidly
for Dimmick his defeat of Penrose
would be assured. But the veteran
politicians who have been sizing ~
campaigns and forecasting election re
suits for years declare that unless
miracle happens Mr.. Penrose will b'
nominated tomorrow, and nominated
by an enormous majority.
Palmer Is Wilson's Choice.
The two rival Democratic factions
will each have a ticket in the pri
maries. AS the choice Of the Wilson
administration Representative A
Mitchell Palmer is expected to win thu
Democratic nomination for United
states senator. Vance c. Mccormick
is the candidate for the nomination
for governor with Palmer for senate
ON the ticket of the reorganization
Democrats. The opposition ticket Il
headed by Henry Budd. Philadelphia
lawyer, as candidate for the senatorial
nomination. and Michael X. Ryan, cit!
solicitor of Philadelphia. as candidate
for the nomination for governor.
The liquor question is figuring prom
inently in the selection Of members 0
the legislature. Half Of the lowe
house and an entire state senate are
TO be elected this year, The loca
option forces have seen pursuing