Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-04-02

ter. In 1896 Mr.. Perkins repeatedly de-
clared that he was a candidate Tor the
last time; that he was up for nonnina-
ton only because he felt that he owed
something to the young men of the dis
trict who feared that in the event of his
refusal TO run candidate would be
nominated who was hostile to their in
terests. The writer heard him say that
he would rather draw his check for a
large sum than return to congress; that
he wanted to resume work on his news
paper and would be much happier In the
journal office. Dozens of republicans in
the district heard him say that he
would not be candidate after 1896;
that he hoped to be able to aid some of
his friends who had so Loyalty support
ed him. Mr.. Heller, his chief lieuten-
ant, made similar statements and was
even more profuse. In fact. 1t was
generally understood, until the fall of
1897. that Mr.. Perkins intended to vol
unfairly retire from congress.
But about the time the leaves began
to fall in 1897 Mr.. Heller sent for post
masters and other persons whom he
considered indebted to Perkins and
asked them If they knew of any person
in the district likely to be candidate.
The inquiry developed several possible
aspirants. all of them supporters of Mr..
Perkins in the past. To the surprise of
his visitors Mr. Heller did not seem
pleased on receipt of the information.
On the contrary he asked how strong
each candidate would be In competition
with Mr.. Perkins and suggested meas
ures for killing them off" as he
phrased it. That these interviews We're
held and these sentiments expressed
with the consent and approval of Mr..
Perkins there can he no doubt. Mr..
Heller was his authorized representa-
tive. the man who dealt out patronage.
distributed campaign funds and looked
after the selection of delegates. What
he said went
Neither Mr.. Perkins nor Mr. Heller
suggested. after the fall OF 1897, that
Mr.. Perkins wanted TO retire and re-
ward his supporters by aiding one of
them to the succession. Instead they
began the killing off" process; secretly
at first. openly later. until the element
which had won several holly contested
battles for Mr. Perkins became thor
oughiy convinced that the latter was
guilty of breaking faith. He never
mentioned his candidacy to them, but
they discovered that he was forming
alliances and Intriguing with those who
had opposed him in the past and piann-
ing to humiliate the old friends who
had stood by him in time of need. II
never pays to placate enemies at the
expense Of cne's friends and Mr.. Per-
kins learned this Lesson when the loyal
friends of 1896 prevented his renomina-
tion at I.eMars in 1898. Judge Helsell
supporting Mr.. Thomas and throwing
his talents ard popularity INFO the scale
against MIR Perkins was potent fac
tor in contributing to the result That Is
why Mr.. Perkins attacks Judge Helsell
in the Sioux City Journal.
The editor of the Chronicle has not
seen Judge Helsell for some time, nor
has he heard from him. directly or in-
directly But he deems this a proper
time TO expose the animus of Mr.. Per-
kins' newspaper article and give pub
LEFTY to a chapter of Eleventh distric,
political history which the Sioux City
candidate for governor would Ike te