Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-08
DEMOCRATIC BOSSES HOPEFUL
OF SECURING 5ERNAToR-
lAL CANDIDATE.
MIGHT NOT BE FORCED
TO QUIT ATTORNEYSHlP
Might Be Promised disappointment in
Case of Dcfeat-Porter Candidate in
Two Previous Campaigns-Say Liz.
uor Issues Will Not Be Involved in
Governorship Campaign.
Special to the mes-Republican.

Special to the Times Republican.
Des Moincs, March SIT seems to be
considerable of question as TO wheth-
err or not Claude r. Porter, United
States district attorney for the south
ern Iowa district, will consent to be
the democratic standard bearer
against Governor Harding this year.
Democratic leaders gathered at
Des Moines Thursday for a conference
believe he will. DR.. J. W. Reynolds.
chairman of the democratic state CEN
trail committee, is one of the ardent
champions of Porters candidacy and
he is of the opinion that Porter would
accept the nomination.
AS southern district attorney, Por-
ter has a POSITION thought to be much
to his liking and in which it is gem
orally conceded he has made good. At
the present time he is engaged in gov
errment prosecution of the |. w. w. in
the trial in Chicago. He has been
specially active in cases where sedi-
ton or traitorous acts were suspected
since the war started.
Candidate Twice Before.
Porter has twice before been the
democratic candidate for governor. In
1906 he ran against Albert B. Cum
MINIS when Cummins was out for his
third term as governor. Porter then
received 1923 votes as against 2l6-
995 cast for Cummins. There was d
total vote of 432, 4G5 cast in that cleo
ton.
NO II TO
against Governor Carroll, then out for
his second term. In that election Por-
ter received 1888 votes and Carroll
2O5,S7S votes. The total vote cast was
4129G4
In he election in 1916 when Govern
or Harding was elected the total vote
cast was 513.s4S of which Harding re-
ceived 313,5S6 votes and Meredith, the
democratic nominee, 1852.
If Porter should consent to run and
resign his position as United states
district attorney he would no doubt be
re-appointed again in case he failed OF
election to the governorship. 1t is pos
sibie he might make the campaign and
retain his present position.
Emmett FINLEY. of Council Bluffs was
also suggested by the leaders here
Thurs day as possible democratic
standard bearer. FINLEY stands we'll
with his party but is not so we'll known
throughout the state as Porter.
Liquor Issue Not Involved.
The leaders here Thursday do not
believe that liquor will be an issue in
the selection of governor this fall 1t
will enter into the selection Of mem
bers of the legislatursin the Wet dis
tricte but not in the gubernatorial con.
test they believe. Porter, who is him
self a teetotaler, is acceptable to all
elements of the party the leaders
say.
A big democratic meeting is to he
held in Des Mones March 81 to which
all democrats will be invited. 1t is
hoped to determine on full and COM
olete state ticket at that time.
]. r. Files of Fort Dodge, an at
torney is being suggested as a candi-
date for United States senator against
Senator Kenyon. The leaders can
make no special charge against Ken
Won but they want a full ticket in the
ield, they declare. Files ran for con-
gross in the Tenth district two years
ago.
An effort will also be made to get