The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-08-13
THE SITUATION IN IOWA.


was up in Iowa recently on a lee
ture tour and while among the Hawk
eyes talked with all sorts and condi-
tions of men, without regard to politi-
cal affiliations, in order to form if posi-
bic correct idea and opinion as to
how things political in that state arc
drifting. l talked with republicans
of both the "stand patters' and "lowa
idea persuations and to democrats OF
all shades. My conclusion is that dem
ocracy is on the up grade in Iowa and
that the democrats are getting together,
while the republicans arc on the tobog
gan and are really worse split up than
before they held their recent "har
mony convention '-thc chief feature of
which was the grand spectacular kick
ing performance of Congressman Cousins
and Lacey.
Folks out in Iowa do not seem to
have amy clear understanding of the
situation in the state. Somehow or
SouuCiioW CloC uliC pSSll
created generally that the democrats
have been constantly losing in numbers
at each succeeding election since 1892.
This is not true. Last year the demo-
Gratis gained on the previous vote by Is
per cent, which was doing fairly we'll.
1t was not a landslide, but it was
IN, oc.f al leo
won something over 100 county Offices
formerly held by republicans per-
Torrance not to be sneezcd atone
growth. They also elected one con-
gresham thing they had not done
since 1892. If they could in any way
secure a fair apportionment they could
easily elect two or three congressman
and stand a fine show of elccting a leg
islaturc to elect senator of the United
States.
This year the most conservative dem
ocrats Of Iowa confidently calculate
to reserve the republican majority, at
least to such an extent as to render the
state doubtful and to gobblc another
hundred county Offices now held by the
republicans, while the more sanguine
democrats hope to carry the state this
fall. They have nominated what they
say is a strong ticket, and Hon. Jerry
Sullivan their nominee for governor
who is rated as tiptop stumper, has
promised to deliver at least one speech
in each of the ninety-nine counties OF
the state-a big job. Ii Hon. Jerry
does that he is liable to duplicate the
Horace Boies performance and to end
me Cummins and anti-Cummins feud in
the republican party by retiring Cover
nor Cummins to private life. Those re-
publican ignoramuses who are lauding
the Iowa republicans for their Harmony
with big, big II and who are prating
Iowa democrats ought to glue their
optics to the following suggestive cdi-
torial from the Cedar Rapids Daily Re-
publican, which ] give entire, and ought
to let it percolate through their brains
as rapidly as possible.
1t was frac monte blundcr free
Them and foolish notion.
Here is the Cedar Rapids editorial
which | must earnestly commend tC
republican believers in republican har
mony:
Surprise has been expressed tina
the Republican should not accept TIN
republican platform adopted last We'd
nesday with entire good grace.
"ls there no harmony?
eyes, there will be plenty Of harmon
in Iowa. Both parties have been han
monized within week of each Other
We accept the spirit Of harmony with
in the republican party. But this pape
was at no time to be bound by an
agreements entered into by so calle'
republican leaders. When it's editor
!. were approached on that subject the
answered that they proposed to g
ahead advocating what they believed t
, be republicanism whether it was on tn
platform or not.
''As the platform last year was lie
SO this year it is piece of trucking
We are aware that it was the best tina
could be made, but we are not advocat
ing the best; we are advocating wha
we believe to be the right, the right i
republicanism. The platform this yea
is essentially correct, but it is charac
teristically cowardly at the same time
"This paper will support the Who'll
, ticket and it believes that it will b
$ elected by the usual republican majol
t ity. Mr.. Cummins has we'll discharge
d his duties as governor, and he will max
t a good campaign as usual.
"But when it comes to the platfor
excuse us from saying that it is a nobl
piece Of writing. We accept it, but W
do not indorse it. We care more fc
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