The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-02-26
Massachusetts Candidate For
Convention Strong For I. R.
UPHOLDS HIS DEFENSE PLAN
Creator of Trouble For Stand Pat Re-
publicans Asserts That to Support a
Favorite Son Is Equivalent to Being
on the Fence-RepubIican Colleagues
Shy ut lndorsing Roosevelt Now.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

NJ lItn AuEuHIuS u bhlhiitis a iiltAiitlti
~ congress from Massachusetts. de
clared himself a candidate for delegate
at large from that state TO the Itepub-
lican national convention upon an issue
that he was for Roosevelt for president
he created CONSERVATION among the
Republicans OF his state, particularly
the Weeks men.
Gardner Ii a son-in-law OF Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge. That has been
both an asset and a handicap to him
an asset because 1t gave him a prom
incnce he might not otherwise have
had and a handicap because so many
people contrast his progressive tenden-
cies with those Of the distinguished
conservative senator from the old Bay
State. Gardner succeeded William Ill.
Moody In the house, and ever since he
appeared In national public life he has
shown a disposition to mix things mp
a bit.
Has ~insurgent P~roolivities.
Back I'm the days when Joe Cannon
ruled the house with an iron hand
Gardner became something of all in
surgent, and he made a mighty lot OF
trouble for the small coterie that ran
things. Then he became regular and
is now a member OF the committee on
ways and means, his selection mean-
ing that he has bucked the powers,
beaten the powers and is supposed to
be good while recognized rs n part OF
the powers.
Shy on Endorsements.
How do your Republican colleagues
take your announcement and position
I'm favor of RooseveltT' | asked.
$50 far | have not had any express
sion which commends my position.
They are a little bit shy"
"Who are the Republicans of the
house really forr"
.'They are for favorite sons" re-
piled Gardner. THAT is n convenient
place to hide. 1t is next to being for
nobody"
"How about the band wagon? Isn't
there a lot of people who want to
know who is to drive the band wagon
and get aboard?'
II presume So" replied Gardner. II
don't care anything about a band
wagon. 1t is too crowded. Give me n
nice roomy wager even If | have to
have IL all TO myself"
perhaps you have struck It,"
THAT may be possible, but If so |
will have a good time while taking
my ride"
Four Years Ago.
II have not talked with Roosevelt
for four years. remarked Gardner. Il
don't know anything about him ex-
cept that he is right on the biggest Is
sue before the American people. -Four
years ago | fought him as hard as |
could I'm favor of Taft"
THAT has always been n mystery to
me-" / remarked, 'in view OF Taft's
Canadian reciprocity, which hit the sa-
cred Goldfish of Gloucester SO hard"
Il don't know just why II was"
Gardner replied, 'but suppose | sided
with Taft because my %sympathies were
aroused when Roosevelt kept landing
blow after blow on that big paunch.
fornia says that the campaign cry of
the Taft men was, ouch! Ouch!
Ouchr"
The Gardner Idea.
''In the contes between Taft and
Roosevelt four years ago." said Gard
ner. Taft beat Roosevelt by 5000
votes. Massachusetts is a conserva-
tive state. Ii Roosevelt can beat a ia
vorite son In a conservative state like
Massachusetts 1T will demonstrate that
the people want him for president.
That Is a good test. If there was a
primary election in every state Roose-
Welt would win, but for the most part
conventions viii enable the politicians
to control when e~lecting delegates"
Another Son-in-Iaw.
There Is a bond of sympathy be
tween Gardner and Nick Longworth
The Ohio congressman is also a son.
in-law. Recently the house was con
sidering a bill to pension survivors OF
wars with Indians, and Longworth Of
fered an amendment to include those
who fought In the war against Mexico
at Vera Cruz on the ground that Huer
ia was an Indian and the war was
made on him. Longworth and Gard
ner have an idea of humor.
Long Time Ago.
Many young men and women who
saw a civil war and reconstruction pc
Rod moving picture show had to have
explained to them what the KukluA
Khan was. In a recent pension bill de
bate Thomas Of Kentucky proposed
an amendment to pension numerous
bodies I'm his state.
Are you not willing to include thu
Kuklux In your amendment" asked
Oglesby Of New York.
"Oh. you are forty years behind thu
times!' retorted Thomas.
But In those days the Kuklux Klar
was = mighty power In the south.