Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-18
GREAT INTEREST SHOWN IN RE-
PUBLICAN CONTEST FOR At
ToRNEY GENERALSAiP.
FIGHT Is BETWEEN
HAvNER AND WILSON
Guiher Believed to be Convention's
Choice for Railroad Commissioner
Practically Certain That Strong Dry
Plank viii Be Put in Platform
Road Question May Cause Debate.
Special to Times Republican.

Des Moines. July 1S.-A record
breaking crowd is expected here to-
morrow TO attend the republican state
convention. The political workers be-
gan arriving Sunday and by tonight
most of the 1lS6 delegates will all be
here, in addition to the hundreds OF
workers and friends of the partlc!-
pants who are coming in on every
train. Many are coming by auto ana
those from near by towns will get in
or the early morning trains Wednes-
DAY.
There is tremendous interest in the
pttorney-generalship nomination. II
IS rather unusual with only two con
tests before a convention that a record
breaking crowd should attend but this
is undoubtedly due TO the attorney
generalship fight. This has resolved
itself largely into a wet and dry hght
with Horace NJ Havner of Marengo'
leading the drys. The vets are CEN
tering on George Wilson, OF Des
Moines. Friends of John Fletcher, as
sistant attorney general, and OF Henry
Sampson, also an assistant attorney
general. are claiming that their can
didates will profit by the Havner and
Wilson fight and that third man
may get the votes of the CONVENTION.
Havner Shows Greatest Strength.
Hayner has 429 delegates in the
counties he carried in the primary ana
out of these he has 215 instructed
delegates Wilson has $50 delegates
In the counties carried by him. All
of the candidates, however, are claim
ing that they will get part OF the
other mans candidates and that after
the first ballot, in case there IS no
nomination then, there Will be quite
a change in the vote. Havners friencs
say he will get the nomination on the
first ballot
Both Havner and Wilson opened
Headquarters at the Slavery yesterday
and other candidates for attorney
general will open up today.
Guiher Expected to Win.
It is being predicted that John A
Guiher, present member OF the state
board of railroad commissioners, hav-
ing been appointed to succeed n. ;.
Ketchum, of Marshalltown, in January
1915, will without doubt win the
nomination. Guiher carried twenty
six counties in the primary E. ).
Bradley of Eldon, carried twenty-five;
Senator Ames, Of Traer, eighteen; ID,
f. Kulp, of Emmetsburg, twenty, and
Hubel of Monona county, carried
thirteen.
Dry Plank Is Assured.
There is no doubt but that the plat
form will come out strongly dry
Hardings closest supporters are said
to be anxious for an outstanding plank
on prohibition. They evidently feel
that it will help Harding TO win. In
fact there will probably be more OF
contest on the road plank than on any
other for there is a division of senti-
ment as to roads with the Harding
followers apparently against any ad-
vanced stand on roads. The United
Taxpayers League men will oppose
very strongly any hint Of anything
that may look like increased taxes.
1t is apparent here that Hardins's
friends feel that the drier the plat
form and the drier the state ticket the
better the chances Of Harding in re-
tanning the full republican vote this
fall For that reason 1t IS SAD,
Havner has an advantage in the at
torney- generalship race as his record
as a pronounced dry IS we'll known
over the state. The democrats have
pronounced dry out for attorney gen.
eral in Senator John I Clarkson, Of
Abba the author OF the mulct law re-
peal act. and one of the most effective
fighters for temperance in the last
legislature.
Predict Republican Success.
The old time leaders here do not
seem to think there is much chance
for a democratic victory in Iowa this
fall. They point out that If Hughes
comes to Iowa, as it is thought, ne no
doubt will get out a big vote. The
fact that It is a presidential year IS
a big help to any republican ticket in
this state, it is pointed out, as Iowa is
strongly republican when it comes to
national issues especially Even if
Hughes himself does not favor Iowa
with a visit, the national speakers will
be here and are expected to arouse
tremendous enthusiasm for republi-
caniSrn.