Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-04-14
OFFICE IN DIcKERMAN BUILDING UPSTAIRS
TELEPHONE NO. IS.
AN OPEN LETTER.
EDITORS PUBLIC OPINION:

EDITORS PUBLIC OPINION:
In the last issue of the Decorah Re-
publican its editor with characteristic
assurance informed the Republicans of
the Fourth Congressional district that
Hon. ThOs Updegraff is the only suit
able man to nominate this fall, and in
proof of this assertion announces with
great flourish of trumpets that some
time in March Mr.. Updegraff took
charge of a bill in congress after its
passage had been recommended by the
committee and secured it's enactment in
the House. Shades of Daniel Webster!
Is this all the result the friends of the
honorable gentleman can show for his
six years of eXhausting labor in con-
gress? Why, the merest tyro i'm legis-
iative proceedings knows that the
favorable recommendation of measure
by the committee to which it is referred,
nine times out of ten insures it's passage
by the house without further effort
The facts are that all this twaddle
about the wonderful "test of capacity"
shown by Mr.. Updegraff i'm supporting
this measure is the veriest bosh, and
makes him appear in a ridiculous light
before the public. | do not believe
that he is responsible for such nom
sense and feel confident that he would
condemn it emphatically.
But ii is further claimed that Mr..
Updegraff took the nomination in 1892,
defeated Walt HI. Butler and redeemed
the district. Well, Mr.. Updegratf
sought the nomination at this time as
against several gentleman of known
ability and secured it. In working for
the success of the ticket he simply acted
as any other good republican would
have done, and received his reward by
an election and a reelection again in
1894. But Mr.. Updegraff's champion
forgets to tell the people how Calamity
Weller captured the district through
Mr.. Updegrafrs neglect and inatten-
ton, and for two years shaped its
legislation and posed as the guardian
of its interests both political and finan-
cial
Having established Mr.. Updegraff7s
right to an indefinite continuance in
congress from this district to his own
satisfaction, this astute editor proceeds
to dispose of Hon. James E. Blythe.
the brilliant, energetic and able ele-
ment of the party, who comes from the
western end of the district, but whose
name and reputation is known to every
republican in the state. After befoul-
ing Mr.. Blythe with the most fulsome
flattery he proceeds to inform him that
there is no reason for changing our
representation ut this time unless it be
founded upon personal ambition, or the
idea that when member of congress
has served two terms he must step
down and out to give some one else a
chance. But these he says are not
sufficient reasons and must no longer
be considered. Mr.. Blythe is told in
effect that he is too young and with
out the requisite experience to expect a
nomination ut this time. To relieve
the pain and humiliation Of this crush
ing blow he is told in dulcet tones by
this great man who assumes to control
the political destines of the district,
that "having such implicit faith in
Mr. Blythe's abilities and such admir-
alton for the capacity he has already
developed l want him to enter con-
gress with the feeling that the position
is his during life or good behavior"
But to achieve this great triumph Mr..
Blythe must withdraw from the pres
ent canvass, turn his face to the wall
and like good little man wait for
Thomas to become an angel and soar
away to realms of bliss, when the great
editor will appear, take him gently by
the hand, and with words of cheer and
congratulation conduct him to that
vacant seat in congress made illustrous
by the associations clustering around
Il and plainly labelled Hon. James +.
Blythe-yours for life or during good
| behavior.
| Now sir, the writer hereof has no
fault to find with Mr.. Updegrsff. The