Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-08-03
THE SENATORIAL QUESTION.

lHC SENAlONlAk xUEolION. -
We believe that in the selection of a
candidate for state senator the follow
ing characteristics are necessary: am
bition to excel; energy to put what
force he possesses into determined
action when necessary; vigorous health,
both of body and mind necessary to do
the required work; quick perception
and good judgment coupled with these
and other requisite qualifications; the
ability to express his thoughts clearly
and forcibly in the advocacy of helpful
or opposition to harmful bills.
The candidate who possesses the
above traits and qualifications in the
most marked and highest degree should
be the choice of the people. cold men
for counsel and young men for war" is,
generally speaking, a trite maxim.
However, to make the most of it
worthy of belief we think the would-be
aged cOunsellors should give us such
advice even in the choice of officials
who are to serve the people as is con-
sistent with reason and good judgment.
Therefore we fervently admire those
broad men who advise us to weigh
carefully and with our most thought
fui judgment the fitness and qualifi-
cations of men who ask the peoples
support for Office.
We are but young and hope to grow
in wisdom as the years 60 by, but we
feel, from the lessons of even the short
past, that all candid and thoughtful
men should deplore the condition in
any community where attacks that
emanate from personal spite or to re-
venge some individual injury, either
fancled or real, become the basis upon
which political campaign is con-
Quoted. Such methods to defeat one
candidate and build up his opponent
produce pernicious effect upon the in
tellectual and moral character of q
community; and il personalities, SLAM
der, desire for revenge and general
vituperation are the only "stOck in
trade'' men have to oppose man who
asks for an office, las it seems largely to
be by those opposing DR.. Daubney,) an
intelligent public should administer
the just rebuke such u canvass merits
from the hands of those whose intelli-
gence they really insult by attempting
to influence them by such disreputable
methods. The fact that sach are the
methods used is SO obvious that we
need not dwell upon it; to do SO seems
to US superfluous, for every man who
has listened to the workers most active
against DIR. Daubney knows how much
more the reasons given why DR.. Daub-
ney should not be nominated SAVIOR of q
TRADE of vituperation than an appeal
to reason for any lack Of qualifications
or ability. DIR. Roome and Mr.. Klem-
me are gentlemen whom we are conf
dent are above advising the methods
used. We think we speak truly when
we say that neither of them is the
wished-for candidate Of the men now
so active, not for DIR. RoOme or Hon.
w. HI. Klemme, but opponents of DR..
Daubney. They, loaded to the muzzle
with vituperation and revengeful de
sires which are openly heralded roll
choice bits of slander from their vir-
tuous tongues. However we believe
such disgusting and disreputable
methods can live and thrive only
among the very ignorant. We further
believe the people of Winneshiek to be
so intelligent that they will use that
candid reason necessary to make wise
selection which will be for the best in
terests of the people to be represented,
and that they will lend themselves to
no man or clique whose pronounced de-
sire Is to have revenge.
Decorah has had its city fight, and
it should end in Decorah. DR.. Daub-
ney is now asking the support of the
people of the county and will be CRATE
full to all who after considering the
merits of the candidates from true
standpoint will give him their support.
We can see but perfect fairness in such
position.