Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-05-05
No. H..
THE PEOPLE AND THE CONGRESS.
MEN.

When we get right down to the con-
gressiOnal situation in this district it
must be conceded that no man has any
claims which must be considered para
mount to the claims of the people. 1t
is all very well for those who are par
tial to aspirants for congressional honors
to rehearse the services performed, by
their favOrite, to the party; but back of
all this, and of primary Importance is
the question of qualifications.
No intelligent, honest voter, who is
patriotic enough to put the welfare of
feelings and wishes, can be satisfied
in congress from the standpoint of old
acquaintance and long standinb friend
ship.
1t is admitted on all sides that the
fourth district of Iowa has not taken
high rank in the past. 1t is conceded
that it has not been represented with
the ability and distinction of other dis
tricts in the state. A natural and COM
mendable pride suggest that, if we
have better congressional material in
the district, it should be called into
service and made available.
So far as Mr.. Updegraff is concerned
it must be granted, in all fairness, that
his claims have been met and that the
score is clear. He has been chosen at
five different times, and at four differ
ent times elected. By the verdict of
his most partial supporters his public
record has placed him little above the
mediocre. Their excuses that he has
not had fair trial and that he may,
with further trial, render more con-
spicuOus service, are not business like,
and are not free from a favoritism
which should not be extended at the
expense of the district. This plea is
little short of begging the question in
behalf of personal interests and per-
sonal friendship and feeling.
The question to be answered by
every honest, fair voter is simply this:
Is Mr.. Updegraf the strongest, most
capable, and most efficient man whom
the republicans of this district can send
to congress? With generous and most
respectful consideration for his oppO-
nent Mr.. Blythe's friends urge that
their candidate has given unqualified
evidence in his public record that he is
better fitted in many ways to take the
responsibility so long held by the pres
ent incumbent. They have no desire,
and there is no occasion, to detract
from the personal and friendly regard
in which Mr.. Updegraff is held by
many of his old friends. That phase
of the question should not be rightfully
held to be germane to the real issue. 1t
is the duty of the republ'
district to send to cong
equipped, the most indL
most vigorous, and the one
II I<~;, a I, g. La
The argument for 'just one more
term" is the plea of the one most per-
sonally interested and by friends blind
ed by the partiality of personal rela-
tiOns. 1t is the setting up of claim
by an individual. 1t has no patriotic
merit in it. If their favorite is on right
principle the right man for Zone term
more" he is the right man for more
than one term more and consistently
should be so defended.
The argument for one term more is
the admission of weakness. Mr.. Blythe
has never failed to demonstrate his
capacity in the first term of a public
trust. He is recognized by political
friend and foe as man of acknOw-
lodged capability and force. 1t is ad-
mitted on all sides that he possesses
that genius for honest hard work, and
that alertness, born devotion to his
cause, which promises success and that
he never fails. We submit that his
gifts of mind, his pertinacity of pur-
pose and his loyalty to convictions,
under the greatest tests, distinguish
him as the man whom the people of
this district may safely depend upon
for faithful service and for such promi-
nence and such unqualified and brilli-
ant success as we have characterized
him in every public undertaking. The
republican party and the people want
for their agent and for their representa-
tive an energetic, fair minded, capable
man. Mr.. Blythe is acknowledged to
be strong and well fitted. From the
standpoint of the good of the district
there is no good reason to defer his
election for another two years.-Mason
City Globe-Gazette.