Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-04-29
Half Told Truths as Dangerous
as FaIsehood.

Half Told Truths as Dangerous
as FaIsehood.
II the Democratic majority ~ the
fourth congressional district Of Iowa
was as overwhelming as is tha repub-
lican. it would be the right, aye, the
duty of every republican to strive to
have the democrats name some person
for the office Of congressman capable
Of discharging the duties of the office
and worthy of the trust.
No reason further than this need be
given why democrats should interest
themselves IL who shall be the repub-
lican nominee. 1t is impro bable that
its nominee in any event will fail Of
an election. Democrats and republ-
cans will be affected alike by his acts,
and hence all have duty and an
interest that may properly result in
action in behalf of one, or another, as
the candidate of the dominant party
in the district.
There are three avowed candidates
in the field, g.. N. Haugen and Duncan
Rule as co-partners and James E.
Blythe. The supporters of Mr.. Hau-
gen, where he is weak and unable to
cope with Mr.. Blythe, are for Rule,
hence the real contest is between Mr..
Haugen and Mr.. BLY, the, because the
Rule and Haugen delegates are likely
to combine In the interest Of the
stronger of the two which will be Mr..
Haugen.
What, let US ask, has Mr.. Haugen
accomplished during nearly the four
years he has represented this district?
Echo answers, "What!,,
| In 1887, Mr.. Blythe scarcely known
beyond the limits of Cerro Gordo coun-
ty, was candidate for the legislature
The republican party of the county
was split owing to the bitterness Of
the Card congressional fight. The
Anti-prohibs. the democrats and
disaffected republicans met in the
opera house In Mason City and put in
nomination ticket in what what was
called "peoples convention ., The
candidates nominated were mostly re-
publieans OF long residence and of
good Standing in the county, and part
of the candidates were elected. Gov.
Larrabee received the entire republi-
can vote OF the county while Mr..
Bly, had that Of but one wing of
the party the other being aided by
democrats and the anti-prohibitio
and yet he won the election by a hand
same majority, while most of his as
sociates on the county ticket went
down in defeat. Two years later he
was again candidate increasing his
former majority more more than 100
per cent. Do these show that he was
unpopular at home or the contrary?
In this connection it should not be
forgotten that at this time and prior
thereto the democrats had frequently
elected the Sheriff in straight party
contest.
We have reliable democratic author
ity for denying that there is any such
newspaper office in Mason City as The
Farmers Institute. The paper Of that
name is Issued from the office of the
Times Herald, owned by Mr.. Stanbery
and is an advertising sheet of occas-
ional issue that will support or de-
fame any person for price. The
accredited publisher at one time haG
been county superintendent of Cerrc
Gordo county and a short time since bJ
means of handbills and circulars an
nounced himself an applicant for the
office, his appeal giving him but two
votes in the convention, which is the
measure Of his standing at home.
| Every county in the district has
abler and better men for the place
ahan Mr. Haugen, and we believe Mr..
Blythe to be one of them. A few
moments candid thought will satisfy
any rejecting we'll informed person
that he has neighbors at his own door
more competent and more worthy
than Mr.. HaHgen. Had the commit
tee in charge OF The Representative giveI
], the whole truth without attempting
to deceive and distort facts in the in
terest Of its candidate, it would hav,
stood better and been stronger before
the people than tits.
i With loud profession of honesty ant
disclaiming all intent of mud throw
ing, its second issue of The Representa-
the is devoted largely to an attempt
to humiliate and degrade in public
esteem one of the prominent ane
honorable business men of Cresco
who is honestly and honorably adyo
eating what he believes to be for the
best interests of the district and 1T
people. Better tote fair. Is such {
course wise, or necessary?
The weak and fulsome praise O
, Haugen, and the half truth abou
Blythe recalls the lines of Longfellow
n 1.-THE nimble lie
: Is like the secondhand upon clock;
. We see 1t fly; While the hourhand of truth
! Seems to stand still, and yet 1t moves unseen.
And wins at last, for the clock will not strlk
Till 1t has reached the goal.''