Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-26
R[RR|OITON IREBSU[S|
Continued from Seventh Page9

ELltlIlUIlU u lllLlU UULl
Continued from Seventh Page.)
lour legislative reforms, but We must no
give too much heed to this natural dis
position to go Glow, lest we go not a
all and make no progress whatever. TIL
evils of stagnation are worse than TIL
mistakes that may be made in strivin:
to improve our condition. Nor need W,
I hesitate because the problem Is big viii
4 complexities. Complications have new
err yet staggered the republican party
4 Recall the experiences of the last fort,
years, think of the almost infinite com
piication in our banking business, in oul
| insurance business, in the regulation OF
our railroad traffic ratea-yast and in,
tricate they were--but did the republi.
can party give up and do nothing II
| their presence? No! our leaders and oul
| law makers went at them and kept al
them under Governors Grimes. Kirk
wood, Carpenter Gear and Larrabee
until they had given the people q body
of laws that afforded ample protection
to all concerned. And in no wise was
the legitimate work of such corporate
undertakings hampered or their welfare
injured So 1t will be with the question
of corporate taxation.
Let no one be disturbed because there
are differences of opinion among repub-
licans as to the best method for solving
this great problem. Some believe we
can best settle it by reforming the adj
ministration of our present law; some
think as do that only in new legisla-
ton can we accomplish the best results.
Some would follow one system of as
sessment; others insist that another
plan should be adopted. There is no
cause for uneaslness or anxiety In this
condition of affairs. 1t is one of the
best possible signs. 1t demonstrates be-
You'd question that life and thought and
purpose animates the party and not in
difference, not opposition to improve
ment. The fact that there are many d.
vergent. opinions and proposals for REM
edyfng the evils in our corporate taxa
stion is the surest sign that the party Is
alive to their seriousness and full of
purpose to deal with them. 1t is when
we have the clash and comparison of
ideas that sound conclusions are reach
ed and good laws attained. May the
time never come when the republican
party of Iowa will be characterized by
the absence of ideas and an Indifference
about them, that refuses to entertain or
that lacks ideas. that cares naught
about them that refuses to entertain or
discuss various plans and suggestions
for our improvement that the people
should dread and fight shy of.
REPUBLICAN, PARTY NOT RE-
SPONSIBLE.
Our democratic censors would have 1t
appear that in speaking thus plainly
about defects in our present law and In
our mode of taxing railways am con-.
demning the republican party No sen
sible man takes stock in this sort Of
talk. individuals may be chargeable
with some responsibility for the evils /
have pointed out, but the party in power
is not, and it does not become RESPONSE
BILE until it consciously and deliberately
refuses to remedy them.
Legislation is a continuous series OF
experiments. Evils in our body polite
grow gradually, at first imperceptibly.
here and there perceive
them, realize their significance and
point il out and urge reform. Agitation
begins and the people begin to appreci-
ate their Importance and then to insist
on the need of reform. 1t is when the
public awakens to such realization OF
evils that political parties become re-
sponsible. If the party in power is then
and prevents or delays re-
form 1t deserves condemnation at the
bar of public opinion. But If 1t shows
decidedly that it realizes the seriousness
of the evils complained of and manifests
a disposition to deal effectively with
them the party in power commends it
self to the favorable consideration of all
and tax payers. 1t proves that
they are true guardians of their welfare
and not the defenders Of particular In
terests; and sound business sense calls
FOR the continuance of that party in
charge of the government.
Last summer year ago the party
which have the honor to represent
gave a decisive demonstration that it
desires its representatives In high Office
to comply with the wishes of the people.
and the expression of this sentiment in
the last convention of my party was
equally emphatic. And as have said
once before the people have a right to
expect that the republican party will
deal properly with this question of cor
porate taxation. In the past we have
responded fully to their demands, as the
history of the agitation for control of
freight rates and the manage
ment OF our state institutions bears am
pie testimony. And I know that our
party will meet this issue squarely and
settle it, not in the spirit Of malice to-
wards corporate interests, nor with a
purpose to injure particular corpora
tons, but with the one purpose of at
tanning justice among men and promot-
ing the general welfare.
WHAT WE MAY EXPECT OF MR..
CUMMINS.
But hear it frequently complained
by democrats, ooh, it is all right for you
to talk about principles Of taxation and
the need OF reform and what the repub-
Iican party is going to do, but such pre-