Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-12
SELF ELIMINATION FROM PRESI-
DENTAL RACE CAUSES HOPES
OF OTHERS TO RISE.
LEADERS ADMIT WILSON
WILL BE HARD TO BEAT
EMBELLISHMENTS Chances Are
Strengthened Because of Promised
Support of Roosevelt and Bull
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE republican
presidential, situation is daily growing
more interesting. The time is getting
close at hand when primaries and con-
ventions for the selection of delegates
will be held and attention is being more
and more riveted on the various candi-
dates and possibilities. The latest let
ter of Justice Hughes, of the supreme
court, in which he declares against use
of his name, has added to zeSt of the
discussion of the conditions in the re-
publican party. The bulk of the po-
litical talk about Washington. mas
much as the denomination Of President
Wilson seems a foregone conclusion,
touches the question of who will cap
ture the republican prize.
Justice Hughes in his latest letter has
left little doubt that he is sincerely out
of the running. He does not fatty say
he will not accept if nominated and
unless he does So there will undoubt-
eddy be more or less support for him.
However. it is widely felt here that it
is being made difficult for his sup
porters to campaign for him and try to
get delegates for him.
Hughes Speaks Plainly.
The circumstances under which JUS
tice Hughes has written are these:
Frank H. Hitchcock. former postmaster
general. went into Virginia and sought
to stir up a Hughes movement. He
opposed Congressman Slemp, who is
the only republican in the Virginia del
egation. promptly wrote Justice Hughes
c-- 20
back, under date Of February 4:
Il am entirely out of politics and 1
know nothing of the matters to which
you refer. l am totally opposed to the
use of my name in connection with the
nomination and to the selection Of del
egates in my interest, either directly or
Indirectly" III.
1t is too early to tell Just how far
this will be regarded the country over
as eliminating Justice Hughes When
he declined to run in Nebraska, his
supporters took the position that decli-
alton was sure to make him stronger
The first effect OF the letter to Con-
gresham Slemp has been to encoura &c
the hackers of other candidates. It has
cheered up wonderfully the disciples of
Theodore Roosevelt. They have real
lied that Hughes. II he would accept.
could have the support Of both repub-
itcan wings and Gould probably be
nominated.
Wilson Hard to Beat.
President Wilson'S friends think he
has shown by his trip he is strong in
the country and that 1t will take a for
midable candidate on the republican
ticket to beat him. A great many re-
publicans admit he Is going to be 4
hard man to beat Under the circum-
stances. it seems a, coalition between
republicans and Bull Moose is the nat
ural resort and the real problem is to
find man on whom they can center.
This brings one back to the view
which has obtained here for weeks,
that at the Chicago convention the re-
publicans will be confronted with the
necessity of either nominating Roose-
welt or some man whom he and the
rest Of the bun moose party will sup
port. -r
cummins Is Helped.
Colonel Roosevelt has told his friends
he would support Hughes or Cumniirs
or Hadley. Now that Justice Hughes
has again declared against use of his
name. Senator Cummins' friends feel
the time is propitious for urging his
name. In the west, the Cummins
movement has long been active. but it
has not been in the east. Now. the
Cummins forces will open headquarters
here and will make a strong effort to
get delegates in a number of the east
ern and southern states. Reports that
the Cummins movement will be car
reid into Pennsylvania has aroused