Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-05-24
REpuBLICAN REspoNsIBlL,TY.

lection of state officers has been taken
out of the hands of the whole people eX-1
lerclsins their choice thru the channels
prescribed by the constitution and
lodged in the power of one faction.
working by means OF a self-appointed
convention. Government by the people
in this country long ago became gov
ernment by political parties, but in
state of government by one political.
party. The eyes of the states electors
are turned upon the contests now wag-
ing within the republican party for
places onsthe republican ticket. for they
know that This ysarsthe nominees of
lrepubliucan convention are assured of
an election. Thus ii arises that untold
Importance attaches to5these contests.
The complete and undisputed control
of government b. Il single party is no
new condition in American politics, nor
tiaea it necessarily endanger the cause
| of popular government. but it does con-
tain the greatest dangers for the donii-
nant party itself. The minute party
becomes secure III its power it loses re-
spensibility and 2rows reckless. An OPP
portunitS OF unbriciled power is opened
to shrewd party managers, which they
are sver eager 70 seize. Executive Off
GERS and legislators become careless in
The faneied security of their positions.
until by the very reclSlessness of their
actions a respectable opposition arises
tosrecall erIing ones to a keenerl sensesof
duty or 10 replace them with others
more cognizant Of duty ard resi- onsibil-
lily.
Just at present the republican party
in Iowa is called upon to selecttwo new
members of the states executive coun-
Gil. one of the,most Important governing
bodies Of the states governmental sys-
Lem. In times past th executive coun-
ell has not beens all that the purity of
American politics would demand, but.
in the language of the democratic Des
Moines Leader, To the credit of Iowa
republicanism it is 10 be said that ii
has shown capacity to purify itsslf.Hs
Capacity 70 purify Itself has been the
Well spring of the republican party's
long continued power. Without ii
the party would have been lost
Years ago. by purifying Itself
l5it has continued the dominant party
formore than a generation, and today
the party in Iowa finds itself eonfront-
ed with need for more pnriheatton.
S The executive council, which levies
taxes, Is constantly beset by the force.
Of the great interests affected by its
action. One of its number. a man Who
has enjoyed ;iie confidence Of his par
5ty for Years and has Won for himself
the sooManet Homes, John, has open
lily accused his fellow members Of favor
itisin 10 certain corporate interests
/ Another member has been heotea out
of the councils of the party when SCI.
ing denomination beeause his eitiaial
record was too black 10 bear public in
4 spection. The positions held by these
| two men ara to BE- fitted anew 10y the
party this fall. Viii Ii select fot, both.
places men Ike thu first or succeed in
/ nominating one or both Of Bin5i like
the latter is the great problem before
\ the republicans Of Iowa Every man
I who has the interests of the fepub-
iican party at heart should lock TO his
candidates. He should see that his
4 delegation stands pat, for lnan of
clean records. Such men NUS BE- Sc
i lecfed or the republican party must
4 iake the c.sn st;,.;saye l;s Il; sal.i,oS
electsan executive council that Will adj
minister the avs of Iowa without fear
q or favor the people of iowa will look
I elsewhere than in the ranks of the re-
publican party for its executive off,
f GERS. Iowa is an agricultural state. a
Il state peopled by honest men. The rural
environments of. its people make of
d them independent thinkers among
Il whom the political machine can never
4 flourish. SO far its people haze been
4 more than pleased with the republican
4 party but TO hold that trust the party
must maintain itself worthy of the
4 highest confidence. Let the delegates
4 TO the next state convention bear this
in mind and select only such men as
will honor the state and nation by their
fidelity 10 duty and uprightness of
character.
4 FROM THE HIGHEST TO THE LOWEST.
| There is something pathetic in the
case Of Governor Taylor, of Kentucky,
which appeals to the spirit of fair play
and justice. He was duly elected 20 the
4 governorshipo of Kentucky. as shown by
the returns, having received a plurali-
ty Of 2,Ss3. was conceded the office by
1.-the regularly appointed election board,