The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-24
BY JAMES DOSS
Times Stan Writer

BY JAMES DOSS
Times stan Writer
The Republican situation in the
Far West and South we'll may be
described as qUiescent at present,
and unlikely TO show any great de-
gree of activity in the South
In California. Republican interest
IS centered for the present mostly
around the increasing belief that
Herbert Hoover is a candidate for
the presidential nomination. al
though he has not admitted it.
He is appearing publicly at almost
every opportunity and every utter
anCe he makes is extremely critical
OF the New Deal and the national
Administration.
ArOuses Little Enthusiasm
Thus far. however. his activity has
not reused the the old California
cohorts. In marked contrast to the
lackadaisicaI attitude Of the Old
Guard, the Young Republicans are
tryir hard to consolidate an or
ganization.
Their first public efforts, state
meeting at Sacramento. took or a
somewhat conservative tinge when
they practically endorsed Gov.
Frank T. Merriam. who hardly IS
classed as among the California
progre5sives.
But the Young Republicans eX-
press a desire, at least. to be liberal
They, as well as many of their
elders in the party. still are ponder
ing the phenomenon Of last years
election when ex-SOcialist Upton
Sinclair captured the Democratic
party and almost won the COVER
nOrship
Outlook Dark in Colorado
Republicans realize they would
not have been able to beat him had
not many conservative Democrats
Joined them and the experience has
left them somewhat shaken and
uncertain.
CALIFORNIA; two senators are
prO-NeW Deal, although one of
them, Hiram Johnson, is a Repub-
liCan. William Gibbs McAdOo, the
Democrat. has no serious challenger
for his toga.
Even high Republican leaders adj
init the G.. o. P. outlook is rather
bleak in Colorado for 1886.
Two successive defeats appear to
have shattered the partys morale
and during the last election. the
raising OF campaign funds was
found to be very difficult matter.
Few Risk Futures
It was noticeable last year that
few Republican leaders were willing
to risk their political future by con-
testing for the higher offices. Bar
ring a revulSiOn in national feeling,
it is likely there will be fewer Re
publiCans than ever in the 31st
General Assembly which cOnvenes
in January of 1887.
The Republican outlook is equally
dark in the counties where for
years the CT o. P. maintained its
power through the Office of county
commissioner. Today a clear ma
iOrity of the commissioners are
Democrats.
The Republican drive next year
will be centered again on. the coun-
ty offices and legislative seats. al
though there is talk of an effort
to put a strong candidate in the
field against United States Senator
Edward P. Costigan.
Even more than usual is there a
lack of Republican activities in the
South and the situation in Ten
neSsee. perhaps. gives a good idea of
the partyS outlook.
There. the Republican party has
its headquarters under the hat of
Rep. j. Win Taylor. Knoxville. Its
principal aim Just now is to con-
nive with the Democratic state adj
miniStration to select election COM
missions through the state to hold
the next national election.
Democrats Determined
The Democrats. of course, intend
60 keep the state and Rep. Taylor,
who is a national committeeman.
intends TO keep his district and thus
keep his seat in the House of Rep
reSentativeS.
This is a game that Rep. Taylor
and his Democratic friends have
played with unusual success for
many years. For instance. early
this year. Republicans in the Ten
neSSee Legislature nominated an
election commissioner who was
foe of Rep. Taylor.
Immediately. the Democrats up
set tradition and joined with Rep.
Taylor'S Republican friends in over
riding the Republican caucus. Rep.
TaylOr'S man on the state election
commission has the right to name
Republican to each of the 95 county
election commissions.
Right nOk. the Republican party
under Rep. Taylor'S hat has a head
ache. The death of a Republican
Federal judge in Memphis cut Rep.
Taylor and his aids off from Fed
eral building patronage and the new
judge, a Democrat. is busy digging
into some unusual proceedings in
Federal court under the Republican
administration.