Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-27
CLOSE OF YEAR FINDS PREsl-
DENTAL PROSPECTS ALL
FRIENDS HOPED FOR.
ROOSEVELT NOT TO
INFLUENCE NOMINATION
Will Not 30 Factor in Convention,
: Attic Support Will Have Effect on
General Election ResuIts-Effort to
Force colonsps Hand Not Successful
-Minnesota Situation Clearing.
Special to Times-Republi

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines. Dec. 27.-The close Of
the year finds the presidential nomina-
ton situation developed just about as
had been anticipated when the matter
was first seriously taken up early last
summer and preliminary work done
to find out the sentiment. II there is
any surprise it is in the fact that more
progress has been made than was
hoped for at such an early date; but
the developments have all been along
the exact line Of predictions by those
who were in position to know and to
properly Judge Of public sentiment
It will be recalled that before Sena-
tor Cummins returned from the con-
gressional session last summer he had
been called upon by one who was re-
garded as the closest friend Of Colonel
Roosevelt, who urged the Iowa man to
become an active candidate, not merely
a 'favorite son" candidate but placing
his candidacy upon tho broadcast pos
sible grounds. Now, as stated at the
time, there was no assurance given
that Roosevelt would get back Of such
a candidacy. Indeed, 1t was recognized
that this would be impolite to say the
least. But it was made very plain that
IL Cummins could land the nomination
the great mass of the Roosevelt follow
ing in the east would swing into line
for Cummins. OF that there WAS ~no
doubt last summer. The situation has
not changed since.
Trying to Force Roosevelt.
In~some quarters there has been APP
parent effort to force Colonel Roose-
welt to say at this time Just what he
would do or to induce him to como out
for Cummins now. The best Informed
politicians discharge this suggestion;
for they recognize that while the
reckoned with in the election it is not
likely to be determinative in the con-
vention. Several Of the active persons
against the doing Of any crowding of
Roosevelt at this stage Of the game.
He and his followers will be AL right
at the critical time, despite the Calf
fornia influence. We }l s
The fact that Lawrence Sherman is
going after the Illinois delegation and
Is sure to get 1t, makes It certain that
there will be delegation from Illinois
far more favorable to a candidate like
Cummins than to candidate like
Burton or Weeks. There probably will
be no conflict between the Cummins
and the Sherman forces. They may
both go hard after some OF the states
that are free field, like Missouri or
Michigan or Wisconsin--but aside from
that there can be no fight between the
two candidates. No big issue could be
raised as between them. In the out
side states, as between Cummins and
Sherman there could be little doubt
which ono would be preferred by the
delegates In the convention confer
ences. The availability OF Cummins so
far surpasses Sherman that there
would be no question as to who would
be favored. The Sherman people would
have an advantage in that Chicago
newspapers would have to support him
and the street influence would be all
his way. f ,.fs
Minnesota Situation Clearing.
The development of the situation in
Minnesota is taken to mean a great
deal for Cummins. There had been an
agreement or an understanding that
the fight was to be straight contest
between Cummins and Root as repre-
senting opposite ideas in national af-
fairs. The fact that Root seemed to
have given consent to the use Of his
name for this purpose and then to
have suddenly pulled out, will leave the
impression that his friends in Mime
sofa got cold feet and backed out to
avoid significant defeat. At any rate
1t Is certain that no man can now put
up very strong front against Cum
minis in the North Star state.
The year 1916 will open with very
bright skies politically as seen from
the Iowa standpoint.