Arizona daily citizen., 1901-05-20
THE RING IN IOWA.

ONO In &ppllCaClonS IOr puDllC OulCeaHu
in success in obtaining them. The
Iowa boy is accredited with being born
with the brand "P o." conspicuously
displayed on his anatomy and his first
teachings are to the effect that a public
office ia private snap and greatly to be
desired. Majorities for the Republican
ticket in Iowa are simply matter of
choice on the part of the party mana
gers.
When the cir 'umstances appear to
demand an increa se in the vote they
tap q new barrel and the votes are
forthcoming.
The people of the State have nothing
TO say about nominations or elections.
The ring is as absolute there as in Da-
homy, the only difference being that in
the "Sable Kingdom" the ring consists
OF one man, while in Iowa there are
something like dozen. The present
controversy there among the Republi-
cans is especially interesting from the
fact that the State is so decidedly Re-
publican and representative.
The head OF the ring is Senator Aili-
son, gentleman OF extended experience
in congress, an office holder from his
twenty-first year, and one OF the most
astute politicians in the Union. Among
his associates are Speaker Henderson, a
genial, enterprising man, with a large
acquaintance and an infinite number OF
friends among the class of politicians in
Washington and elsewhere who toss the
high ball and digest the toothsome ter
rapin after exciting seances where the
stud poker is materialized. John A. I.
Hull, representative for the Seventh
district, and Jonathan Dolliver, newly
created Senator, and noted as the most
liberal and inconsequential man with
his mouth in the Northwest. come next
hard struggle for admission to the ring,
being bitterly opposed by the State
Register, MIR. Clarkson's paper, for
many years. Finally he conquered
the Register and fairly earned place in
the regency. John A. Kasson, the
strongest man intellectually the party
in Iowa has yet produced, never acquir-
ed place in the ring Probably he
never attempted to. His grasp on his
own district appeared to satisfy him and
he was willing to leave to others
the task of disposing of the loaves and
fishes Republicanism dealt out with so
free hand in the great corn state.
Aside from the four gentlemen named
the Iowa ring is composed of representa-
tives of the various railroads in the
commonwealth. Judge Hu bbard, gen.
eral attorney for the Northwestern
road, Blythe, of the Burlington, and
Baldwin, of the Union Pacific, have the
disposal of all the plums that can be
shaken from the corporation tree, such
as the Justices of the Supreme Court,
the railroad commissioners, and mem
bers of the general assembly, who have
the opportunity to enact legislation
inimical to corporate influence; the re-
gency controls the balance of the ap-
poiutive or elective offices. Yet when
the United States senator is to be
chosen the purely political portion of
the ring manipulates. They also look
after the members OF congress-, no nomi-
nations being permitted except OF men
known and pledged to be tractable on
questions affecting the profits or pri-
yileges Of corporations.
The expenses of the party in Iowa
q very largely paid by the railroads. So
vigorously was this especial financial
mammal attacked during thefirst Bryan
campaign that the stockholders of one
Of the great roads, at their annual meet.
ing after the election, en- cred protest
and threatened to make a change OF
management. The continuance of I" fat
mail contract was secured for their paci-
fcation. These things are especially in
teresting in connection with the present
controversy over the Republican nomi-
nation for Governor. Ever since the
question Of controlling railroad rates
was mooted in Iowa the railroads have
dictated the nominations for that place.
Only once, during all that time, have
the roads been defeated in securing that
nomination and then the Republican
candidate was defeated. The present
executive, MIR. Shaw, was named by the
Northwestern railroad in convention
composed Of delegates who we're, by
large majority, instructed for other men.
This year the railroads demand the de-
I lest Of Mr.. A. B. Cummins. This is me-
cesaary for many reasons not apparent
"a the average newspaper reader. Cum
mins was q formidable candidate for the
United States senatorship three years
ng0 When the legislature met he had
i cleaF majority. Ex-Governor Gear,
CopGreasnaan Hepburn, Ex-Congress-
Izlan ReFkins, and several other favorite
aa1ss wsrs brought forward, but the ac-
iuai stssnSth of the opposition to Mr.. |
sCunmins centsrsd In Governor Gear. |
40 -In.Izw ii NH. Blythe. general
Eit0rof ths Darlington road. The
fYate cars oi the railroad officials fairly
aded HE side tracks ia Des Moines.
\ sse1snaerts were heavy but we're
s dlsput6d md enough votes were
~ - SO