St. Paul daily globe., 1891-10-17
EX-CHIEF DAY DESERTS.
The Old Justice Out of the Repub.
Iican Party.

1ican Party.
SIOUX CITY, To-, Oct. 16. The other
night it was telegraphed from Des
Moines that the Democrats had little
surprise in store for their Republican
opponents in the form of notable de-
fection from the Republican ranks. 1t
was said that when the name of the .
gentleman who had concluded to work
and vote for the election of Boies and a
Democratic legislature was made pub
lie. it would create something of a SEN
sation. The letter which this gentle
man has written, and which was
given to the Iowa press
today, is addressed to Mr..
Park, Democratic candidate for the leg
islature from Polk county (Des Moines)
and is signed by James GH Day, ex-chief
justice of Iowa, q lifelong Republican,
and one of the most distinguished men
of the state. That letter is a master
piece in the way,of Rrraignment Of pro-
hibition. 1t is very long, for so vital
topic cannot be dismissed in word.
Judge Day reviews the history of the
Republican party in Iowa, its loyalty to
the union. its answering fealty to the
principles which once made that party
great III national affairs, and its general
influence in the direction of human
progress. But he declares that in Iowa
the party has sadly departed from its
moorngs. For the past few years it
has been governed by principles not in
accord with the best and broadcast
thought, and its usefulness as an in
tellectual and moral factor In this state
at least seems to be at an end
The judge says he speaks more par
tieuiarly with reference to the doctrine
Of prohibition, which at first was thought
to be wise experiment. but which he
has become convinced is failure in all
its phases. He believes that the doc
trine has not been and cannot be en-
forced III an intelligent and liberty-lOv-
ing community. 1t has utterly failed in
Iowa. 1t has led to willful violation of
law that cannot be checked or punished
in the present condition of public senti-
ment. 1t has impeded the progress and
advancement OF the state; it has re-
tarded her growth and develOpment, as
is shown by official statistics; it has pro-
noted vice in low quarters, has brought
into being contemplate class of in
formers and blackmailers, and its opera
ton, at least. has lowered the tone of
the whole community.
1t has neceSsitated increased taxation
to pay the cost of espionage; it has de-
prlyed the state and municipalities of a
IedSOudOl6 source OF revenue Tor cur
rent expenses, enjoyed by other states:
ir has paraIyzed certain industries
which in their states are fruitful sources
of taxable income, thus increasing by so
much the burden of the farmer and
wage Garner of Iowa, and, in fact, says
Judge. Day, ''its whole material and
physical influence has been bad and a
most regretable detriment to the state
of Iowa. IL gives me pleasure to say
that will cast my vote in a way the
most likely to secure repeal of the
present unwIse law" This declaration,
coming just after the Republican corn
sand tariff demonstration at Des Moines
yesterday, will create a breeze. 1t
shows that ex-Chief sJustice Day does
not regard the present corn crop or the
Mckinley tariff as the vital issues in
Iowa, and that he proposes to baseli
own action on broader and more reason
able grounds.