The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-01-02

Washington, Dec. 2s.-fSpecial l.
There has beer an intimation that an
explosion will; occur ere long II con
slant and reiterated declarations con
tinue to the effect that the possibility
of Republican success last fall was
lost by blunders." and that victory
was kicked away aud that the door
was shut I'm the face Of the Repub-
leans seeking the presidency. There
are rumors hat some OF those 10
whom criticism is pointed may decide
to stand from under and let the blame
rest where 1t belongs.
Those who know anything about the
late campaign are aware that every
body connected with the Republican
side who had any responsibility has
had TO bear the brunt of criticism, and
the higher the men stood In rank the
more blame attached to them. Re
publicans I'm Washington have rcceiv-
ed intimations that an exposition OF
the conduct OF the campaign may fol
low unless 1t is soon decided TO let the
whole matter sink into oblivion.
Another Warning.
The progressive element I'm the Re
publican party has also sounded a
warning to the standpatters to the ef
feet that Ii does not propose to be held
responsible for the defeat and. further,
that criticisms and blame OF Governor
Johnson of California. Governor Cap
per Of Kansas and Progressive leaders
In other states had better stop If there
is anything In the desire OF the old
guard to win over the Progressives
and secure a victory next time. More
than that, the progressive Republicans
say that when IL comes TO nominating
a candidate next time they will have
something to say and that the old lead
ers may as well reckon with them.
A Roosevelt Idea.
One of the Progressive leaders, a
man who supported Roosevelt and may
be voicing the ideas of the colonel.
said: Twice the Republican national
conventions have beer managed with
one sole idea-that under no eircum-
stances should Theodore Roosevelt be
the nominee. In 1912 they unseated
enough regularly elected delegates to
prevent Rooseyelt's nomination. In
1915 they hand picked the delegates
SO as to make Ii impossible to consid-
err Roosevelt. Whether IL Is Roosevelt
or some other man next time. the pro-
gressiyes Of the party are not going to
stand for those methods, and the party
will continue TO be divided
Brought Out a Bitter Feeling.
The fight over the prohibition bill for
Washington caused "A rather bitter feel
ing among senators. Underwood OF
Alabama, who led the fight for a refer
cndum to the voters of Washington,
and Sheppard of Texas. who was the
prepayment OF the prohibition bin, had
several sharp clashes and said things
which were almost supplementary.
Then Vardaman of Mississippi. an ar
dent prohibitionist, FLASHED with Mar
tine of New Jersey, who is anything
but a prohibitionist. All this was on
the Democratic side, showing that pol
itics does not unite men on all ques
lions.
o.ooo.o 900 Deficit.
Chairman Fitzgerald, when fighting
against increased appropriations In the
house, asserts that next year there will
be a deficit of $3OO,O0O.OO0. That is
quite a sum, and the prediction is made
that a tax Will be laid upon pretty near
ly everything in order to raise the
money. Fitzgerald explained to the
house that In addition to what Ii was
costing to maintain tine national guard
on the Mexican border there was now
n deficit OF $S.500.OOO to support the
dependent families Of guardsmen. Our
experiments with the militia and Mex
leo are quite expensive.
A Busy Business Man.
Edward N. Hurley, chairman OF the
federal trade commission, is an exam
pie of a business man In a business
place. Hurley by good business meth
DDS accumulated a fortune. He does
0 need the Office he is holding; the
salary'is nothing to him. But he Is de
voting his time and talents to a gov-
eminent position In order to do some
good to the country-to help business
and improve business methods. Those
who see Hurley In action and notice
how he cuts right through sophistries
and carefully woven webs agree that
he Is the right man for the Job.
Want . Drastic Bill.
The 10 called corrupt practices act,
which is now undergoing repairs, is
likely to have q hard time In the sen
ate. Quite a number Of senator's are
seeking to make 1t very drastic and to
make 1t impossible to spend much
money In political campaigns. 1t is
said that expenditures In the recent
campaign will come In for an airing
when the bill il again considered In
the senate.