Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-03-15
THE GovERNoRsH1p.
Notes From the Field.

Fort Dodge Messenger: The campaign.
for the goverEorships has reached an ac-
tive stage at an unusually early date
and the innovation is not to be com
mended. The republican party in Iowa
when its energies are chiefly engaged in
a factlonaI strife. something to be de-
ploled and avoided. a number Of ex-
cellent men have already been am
nounced as candidates for governor and
If any one of them should b.. nominated
and elected the state would be- well
served. There is not one of them Who.
would not give the state good service
and reflect credit upon 1t in the eXecu-
tive chair. That being the case there
seems TO be no occasion for excitement
over the situation at this early day or
for acrimony al any time.
The first man formally named is so
admirably qualified for the position and
there would be such fitness In his choice
that it is a pity he was not accepted by
all divisions and factions of the party
and nominated by acclamation. The
Hon. George %. Perkins represents no
faction in the party, no special interest
err class in the state He is a man
TRAINED and accomplished in public af-
fairs, able, independent and thoroughly
honest. Mr.. Perkins belongs the very
best type of public men Who have been
elected to office in Iowa. 1t is natural
and proper that in some quarters Of the
state there should besa preference for.
some one Oh another good republican
oyer Mr.. Perkins. the considerations of
Locality, personal acquaintance, etc.
would account for this. Eut We have no
hesitation in saving that after Mr.. Per-
kiss was formally in the field no public
Iexigenoy existed for another candidate
No public interest was imperiled. no
occasion for fractional strife existed.
While saying this we OF course recog-
nize the right and privilege of other re-
pubiicans to come into the field 70 seek
the support of their friends. as other ex-
cellent and worthy gentlemen have
done Mr.. Perkins first announcement
gives him no presumption on the office.
We only pay what we believe is a de-
served tribute TO his character when
We say Mr.. Perkins could not properly,
be called factional candidate, and that
the presentation of his name dbl not
|inaugurate fractional strife; further
more, that Mr.. Perkins is too clean and
able and independent a man to be open
to attack as the candidate OF any ma :
csss....'' q: ....sss' q. interest. ,'h:S {
kind of a campaign against Mr.. Perkins
we believe to be out of place, and what
ever the complications of the situation
may be. the Messenger will exercise the
privilege of saving this much.
Hon. A. y. Cumnins, of Dies Moines.
is another candidate for whose personal
character nothing but good can be said.
He is man. who would dignity and
honor the governorship and give con
scientious and capable administration
to the affairs Of state. There is nothing
in Mr.. Cummins character or public
politics to disqualify him likewise from
being a candidate acceptable to all fac
lions of the party and all the people of
the state. In view of his defeat for the
senatorship and his following for the
position. there would be propriet2 now
In suggesting that the party unite on
him for the promotion of harmony ii 1t
were not for the unfortunate fact that
the method and circumstances of Mr..
Cummins entrance upon the contest
were calculated to preserve the old
fractional division. Much as the latter
fact is to be regretted, 1t was inevitable
that the meeting of his old adherents
and his assent. tho reluctantly given, to
enter the field in their behalf and as
their leader should draw the old lines
and involve him In the old antagonisms.
That is Why the situation appears In
some degree to be one of Cummins and
anti Cummns.
The candidacy of the Hon. Sidney A.
Foster is the frank and honest effort of
one who has been an active and eff
cient party worker for many years to
reach the honorable reward of such SER
vice. Mr. Foster has been an3able and
tireless laborer for republicanism. He
has been on the stump In Iowa every
year for more than twenty years and is
a popular, effective speaker He would
make safe and very popular governor
and aside from the fact thar hisra ndl-
dacy comes into direct conflict With
that of Mr.. Cummins at home. there is
no reason Why he should not be accept
able to all divisions of the party
Senator Hartman. of Hampton, Is
another candidate formally in the fleld.
He Is a man of good legislative experi-
ss6A az the htohast r,srannsi Ahs =. 49,.