Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-21
GOVERNOR cuMMlNs' ADDRESS.

GOVERNOR cUMMiNS' ADDRESS.
The inaugural address of Governor
elect A. B. Cummins is published in
full in this issue of the Courier. 1t is
a document that will well repay care
full reading. Gov. Cummins fearlessly
discusses some of the questions of ma
tional import at this time as well as
state issues. He will meet hearty ap-
prevail from conservative n thinking
men in his declaration that reform
and betterment in laws are as essen
ton to the advance of the republic as
is the growth in its industrial life"
Certainly Mr.. Cummins is right when
he says: "The true friend of progress
recognizes that what we have is good,
but perceives that We may have bet
ter"
The governors discussion of the
question OF industrial combinations is
especially interesting in view of the
fact that he takes issue, to some ex-
tent at least, with President Roose-
velt's idea, that publicity will cure the
trust evil. Mr.. Cummins would add to
publicity the legal requirement that
the capital stock of all corporations
should represent an actual cash mon
ey value, dollar for dollar to the
amount of the capitalization. Mr.. Cum
Minis believes that it is a matter of
paramount necessity that the element
of competition should not be eliminat-
ed. On the other hand, he does not
believe that government can safely
deny the right of association under
established forms, nor is he ready to
concede that industrial organizations,
however large their capital or extend
ed their operation, if competition re-
mains, constitute a to the pros
perity and welfare of the people. Gov.
Cummins favors an amendment to the
constitution of the United States that
will give congress the power to deal
adequately with this great question.
On the subject of the tariff and reci-
procity, Governor Cummins reiterates
2 the declaration of his recent New York
} speech to the effect that the people
of the United States will not tolerate
{ as a permanent trade policy, the sell
l ing of goods abroad, at a less price
t than they are sold at home.
5 With reference to labor and capital,
Governor Cummins believes that this
t is another question that cannot be
successfully dealt with until the con
l stitution of the United States is Sc
amended as to give to congress the
: power to make and enforce such regu.
%lations as will be effective throughout
the whole territory Of the United
r States. The governors utterance along
i this line is distinctly favorable to la
/: Dor.
The governor properly iays with
y vigorous invective the professional
lobbyist. The question of taxation is
e discussed at length inc the governor
is eminently right when he say that
the pay of assessors in this state is not
! sufficient to secure the intelligent and
!. expert service needed. The work OF
Il the assessor is the foundation upon
t which the whole system Of our taxa
) tion is built and it is vitality essential
that this primary work should be
properly and intelligently done. The
e governor points out the difficulties Of
properly adjusting the matter of rail
;, road taxation and gives promise that
this intricate subject will be given
g most careful consideration by him
during his term of office.
: The governors enthusiastic utter
{ ances with reference to the work o.
higher education in the state OF Iowa
will receive general approval. Thu
state university especially deserves a
o the hands of our people, for the honor
d and future development of the state
6 liberal treatment. The governor clos
es his inaugural with the following
beautiful tribute to manhood and wo
manhood.
ct is the quality of our men ant
women that has made the republic O.
the United States great, powerful an6
prosperous. Bountiful as providence
: has been, her treasures would still b.
e uneXplored and ~undeyeloped had no
n the manhood and womanhood of Amer