Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-07-10
Public Opinion on Iowa Subjects
as Reflected in the Iowa
Newspapers.
Tho News OF Iowa From Hun.
dreds Of Different Towns
and Communities.
THE CUMMINs CONTEST.
TValley ExpreSs1


VALLEY Express.l
A distinguished cotere of powerful
Iowa politicians whom MIR. Cummins
says have honored me by their enmi-
ty, served notice upon him that he
must either extinguish himself polti-
cally of his own accord or "be pound
ed into the earth.' III this meant any
thing. it meant that A. 3. Cummins was
to be made a terrible example of, for
they knew the man we'll enough to hay.
expected this reply, Il choose the field
of battle, and when / die politically il
Will De with my face to the front" Fot
his audacity his punishment should be
made so severe that other Iowa repub
leans would hesitate years again before
raising the standard of revolt against
the throne. Men who talk OF the right
and wrongs of the state are to be told
as We're the patriots of France, that the
state is the throne. The state?' said
Louis XIV, Il am the state" The
State?" says Mr.. Blythe, The state is
in mel" The king Will destroy ali who
question his authority or raise a hand
against the perpetuation of his reign.
The king can never die, but the herald
who will at Cedar Rapids next month,
proclaim that King Blyt the is dead, will
not in the next breath. shout: Long
live King Hubbard That is, he Will
not If present indications point 10 any
definite conclusions.
When publicity was given to the no.
tice which the Blythe Hubbard contin-
gent served on Cummins. it came like
flashlight showing the pale scared
faces of the men around the throne. Tho
alternative presented to Mr.. Cummins
was not the act of one or two men: but
the result OF deliberations In council.
1t was the sign Of desperation; the black
flag of piracy in politics giving no
quarter. And how desperate the situ-
alton is now only too We'll known The
edict was set forth as the result of aux-
tous conferences among those who have
felt their grasp on power weakening,
and who resolved to strike terror to
the crown. And whatever had been said
the hearts of all who put the state above
of the desperate political character of
the corporations and the men represent
ing them who have dictated 10 the rec
publicans of Iowa in years past, was
more than justified in this deliverance.
eminating from Messrs. Blythe and
Hubbard and aimed at citizen of low.
whose only sin has been too great hon
port OF party policies best calculated for
the Just and equitable conduct of the
etate affairs.
The attitude OF those supporting Mr..
Cummins upon the present issue OF
equal assessment of property, both cor
porate and private for taxation has been
frankly set forth. There has not been
an element in it calculated TO arous-.
the resentment of any man who is hon
estly seeking the honest truth in the
government Of the state. Comparative
statistics have proven the contention
made and the arguments for more equit-
able assessment of corporate interests
are unquestionable. Therefore the corr
porate interests and their representa-
tives have not essayed an answer The
case has had such a presentation as.
under ordinary conditions in politics.
would demand either an answer or abb
solute silence.
But we are no longer under ordinary
conditions OF politics in Iowa. An an
ever was impossible. but silence Was
equally impossible and consequently
disastrous. To allow such a chaienge OF
the rights Of the powers that had ruled,
to pass unnoticed, would be 10 invite the
open abandonment Of the Blythe Hub
bard dynasty by hundreds of strong and
effective men NOW in Il contemplatiNs
mood, and, not yet ready 10 eoncede that
the machine is the state. The cummins
supporters could not be answered.
Wherefore the man Gurnmins himself
must be held up to ridicuie 10 calumny
and detraction, to fright the soul of oth-
ers who may mediate rebellion.
And yet it is not unreasonable TO
expect the republican party In Iowa TO
approve the demands of the rank ard
file of the party for expression upon the
question of corporate assessments ard
taxations. And when this expression Is
forthcoming az we firmly trust and ex-
pect 1t will the position of those who
are supporting Mr.. cunnns in the
campaign which WAS wnged in Iowa so
fiercely the past months Will be fully
approved, just az was that of those who
supported him In an independent repub-
Hcan candidacy for the legislature in
this county years ago when prohibition
was set aside az test OF party fealiy.
And the crown of thorns that they now
press upon the brow Of the man who
pointed out the safe way for the party.
honors him as the courageous, honest
and consistent advocate OF a party pol
icy which was crystalized into legs-
lative enactment and is the policy which
the party now stands ready to defend
tamr mfta mfta