Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-30

newspapers, appealing to the passion
and prejudice of the state, have pro-
posed extravagant legislation in his
name. They worked the dragnet in
his behalf. But it is said, they are
not authorized to represent his views.
But he has not thus protested for him.
self. Mr.. Cummins has been more
than once persuaded against his judg-
ment, if current gossip, coupled with
declarations of his own not called in
question, are to be accepted. 1t is not
to be presumed that his own independ-
ence would make assertion, where be.
fore it had only spoken by proxy, after
these friends had made him governor
of Iowa. The campaign is proof
enough that Mr. Cummins has con-
tracted mountain of debt, which
must be lost through his involuntary
bankruptcy in the Cedar Rapids con-
vention, or which he must struggle to
discharge as the chief executive of the
state.
The republican party of Iowa is not
poor in men. 1t is possible for the
convention of the party to name man
for governor who shall owe no obliga-
ton except to the party and to the
state. So far as this newspaper can
speak for the anti Cummins sentiment
it speaks in behalf of the nomination
of such man. What his name is or
where he halls from are matters of
least consequence. The NOMINEES
should be man free of obligation to
special interests or special classes; a
man called out of the ranks of the par
ty for service to all Iowa. for whom
there need be no apology, and in the
record of whose distinction there could
not be found food too gorging for the
open or the covert foes of the republic
can party.
If it be true that the nomination OF
Mr.. Cummins, with consequent in
dorsement of his kitchen cabinet, ap
proval of his henchmen, and accept
ance of the tunes. of his "independ
ents" as the music Of republication, liz
in the line of the best service to the
cause of good government and whole
some politics, then the program of the
Cummins machine should be consum
mated at Cedar Rapids. The response
bility is with the delegates. They have
sought or accepted high responsible
ity. The question with every man Of
them should relate to who ought to BIZ
nominated. If independence is good
thing, 1t will be good thing to exer.
else at Cedar Rapids. It is not advis'
ed that instructions should be violated
Men who cannot conscientiously obey
instructions, though given by methods
entitled to be known as queer should
be independent enough to refuse the
Office. What is suggested is that mer
who are free seek to know the right
side rather than the winning side A
brave manewill not be put to flight BY
threats of defeat.
Mr.; Cummins is, not the popular
choice of the party. Is that merely q
matter of opinion? Is there the proof
of his lead among instructed dele
gates on the side Of the weakness oil
the opinion? To be sure. But if the
Cummins strength represented wave
Of popular enthusiasm he would nee6
no instructions Dare the "independ
ent' friends of Mr.. Cummins propose
that the instructions procured in his
behalf be abrogated? Dare they per
NIT Mr.. Cummins to say to the dele
gates to the Cedar Rapids convention
that he makes no personal claim upon
any delegate except as he may have
ouch claim in the untrammeled judg
ment of the delegate? Impracticable;
To be sure; but the assertion is haz
arded that with such freedom the case
Of Mr., Cummins at Cedar Rapids would
be hopeless.