Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-09

Minister Conger was not anticipated.
1t is an embarrassment in some sense
to some of the warmest supporters of
Mr.. Cummins, who had hoped that I'M
der the circumstances that Major Con-
gers name might not be used, but
that Mr.. Cummins might be accorded
the honor with practical unanimity
1t is an embarrassment in a further
sense that men do not want to even
seem to oppose Minister Conger in any
desire he may have, knowing him to
have discharged every duty placed up
on him, whether in public or private
life, with pains-taking fidelity, and
with excellent ability as well. There
are those who think that the oppon-
ents of Mr.. Cummins are doing Minis
ter Conger an injustice in making use
of his name.
The Capital as a republican newspa-
per feels some embarrassment in the
present situation. We had hoped that
Mr.. Cummins having been denied the
national committeeship, denied the
senatorship and having been surround
ed by most loyal and devoted friends
at home and attacked by relentless po-
litical foes abroad, might be given the
party recognition to which his abilities
entitle HIM Like Minister Conger his
ability is of higher order, and his char
acter above criticism, but Minister
Conger has had many honors already
while honors have been withheld from
Cummins A sense of justice as be-
tween man and man even in politics
would clearly indicate that Cummins
ought to be the nominee.
The policy of the Capital will be to
treat Minister Conger with judicial
fairness in the campaign that will now
be inaugurated, agreeable to the an
nouncements made by the opponents
of Mr.. Cummins. Mr. Cummins is too
much of man to complain because
late in the campaign a new candidate
is made to appear who may manifest
more strength than some of his oppon-
ents who have been in the field longer.
He is too much accustomed to the give
and take battles of life to object, that
from the field of honor Is brought into
the conflict While it is true that the
name of the minister from China is
introduced by those who do not es
pecially love him, but by those who
have hatred for Cummins, it canno,
be doubted that these subsidiary mat
tiers may disappear and the candidacy
of Albert B. Cummins and Edwin H
Conger stand on their merits, each
standing for the ideas he represents
and the things he has done. The sup
porters of Cummins will welcome the
contest and try to acquit themselves
like men. They will also try to treat
Minister Conger in such way as will
make no apology necessary after the
campaign is ended. 1t is understood
to be Mr.. Cummins' attitude that if 8
man, without being an avowed candi
date can defeat him before the repub
licans of Iowa, then he, Cummins
will have no complaint to make. This
is the manly attitude of one Of the
manifest of men.
The campaign ought to progress or
the highest lines. Is it too much tt
expect that this shall be so? Mr.. Cum
minis has had countless sharp thrusts
of the political knife, but every wore
that he has said against any or all pub
lie men could be printed without bring
ing blush to his cheek. Mr.. Congel
is famed for his good heart and his
manly spirit. No provocation can in
duce him to do thing for which any
apology need be made.
There yet remains hope, however
that Minister Conger may finally de
cline to permit even the use of his
name