Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-10-26

SENATORIAL.
CHAPTER XIII.

One week from to-day, and the bit
terest political campaign Winneshiek
county has ever seen will have been
decided, at least for the present. And
we believe it will be settled rightly, for
we have confidence enough in the vOt-
ers of the county to believe that they
will not tolerate such spiteful, disgrace
full methods to conquer, for if such is
the consequence who can tell where
the end will be. There are several
things which republican should con-
slider and thoroughly, too, before he
follows the dictates of few who are
the enemies of the party because they
cannot absolutely control every pOliti-
cal action of its candidates before and
after election. First, the competency
of the candidate. DR.. Daubney, the
republican candidate for state senator,
was reared from birth in this county,
has acquired good education, is sue
cessful business man, in the best of
health, good speaker, of good COM
mon sense and sound judgement, has
had an experience as twice mayor of
Decorah which would be of service to
him in legislative affairs, and has had
a character without the slightest stain,
until charged by the malcontent repub-
iican, after he practically became the
nominee Of the party. Second, has he
been proven guilty of a single charge?
No; the only official action taken since
the charges were brought was that of
Judge Fellows in disnaissing the case
before him in regard to the proper pos
session of the securities given him by
his uncle. Third, has he been given
an opportunity to explain the charges
through proper channels? No. He
has been ready and anxious to have
the matter come to trial before election
but it being an equity case and the at
torneys for plaintiff having elected to
take the evidence in the form of depo-
sitions, it was put off until after elec-
ton. Fourth, should we break away
from party principles and vote for
those who are lifelong enemies of the
party because charges have been
brought out which the candidate has
not been given an opportunity to ex-
plain by proper proceedings? None of
us know that he is guilty of single
charge and because he has been ac-
cused is no sign we should "bolt' the
ticket, for his accusers may be much
more despicable than he. Fifth. Let
us reason a little. If DIR. Daubney
should be elected state senator, and
afterward be adjudged guilty of any of
the charges, he would by law be dis
qualified from taxing his seat in the
senate. In that case the present re-
publican senator, Hon. {. e. Upton,
would hold over until a new one was
elected. Now, republicans, you have
it in your power to keep republican
in the most important state office out
side of governor, or place free-silver
democrat therein. Your vote for DIR,
Daubney does not mean that you will
send a man guilty of anything to the
senate, for if he is found guilty he will
be disbarred from seat. Do you not
prefer the present able republican sena-
tor to free-silver democrat. Your
vote for DR.. Daubney simply means
that you vote for republican senator,
and man whom it is more important
shall be republican than any other
officer in the gift of state.