The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-12-03
CHIEF OF FRANKLIN
A Reply to the EdiCt of the Frank
lin Township Representative
Of the Leon Ring.


of that truthful periodical, the Decatur
County Journal" there appeared quite a
lengthy article signed by the famous
Chief of the Franklins. From the tenor
Of the Chiefs school-boy oration it would
appear that he had gone up into a high
mountain and offered up his lamenta-
tions to the Burlington Deity, smote his
hairy bosom, and declared himself to be
one of the most devoted Indians in
the reservation. He boldly attacks
James r. Gill, Albert Biddison, James
Bowsher and B. w. Garrett, and advises
them to be good little Indians in the
future, because it is naughty to act that
way and grieve the great Father. If
you will be good, Papa will get you a
little pass the next time he goes to
Burlington and you may accompany him.
The facts are it would have been far
better for the people of Decatur county
if such men as Messrs. Gill, Biddison,
Garrett and Bowsher had made them
selves felt years ago before the present
antiquated aristocracy commenced try
ing to run matters for their own person.
al benefit. From the returns of the
recent county election it appears that
the difference between the largest ma
jority received by any republican on
the ticket and the largest majority re-
ceived by any democrat on the ticket
was little over 700 votes. If the
aforesaid gentlemen cast all these
votes they would each one be compell-
election day. Every one knows that
these gentlemen are all hustlers but no
one even dreamed of them voting with
such lightning rapidity and disastrous
results. The truth plainly told, is that
no one man or set of men either young
or old was responsible for the defeat Of
the republican county ticket; it result
ed, with but two exceptions, from a
general uprising of the better class Of
republicans who had become tired and
disgusted with the three RS (Ring,
Railroad and Ruin) of the Decatur
County Journal. The article purported
to have been written by the noble Chief
seems to date it's troubles to the Gear
!Cumnins senatorial fight. AT that time
he and others Of his tribe worked dill.
gently for the election Of the late Hon.
John FL. Gear for U. S. senator, when the
poor old man stood on earth with one
foot in the grave and the other resting
on the brink, he had been, and his mem
ory now is, respected, honored, revered
and loved by the people of the great
state of Iowa, and had he been left
alone would no doubt done as he had
previously agreed, retired from public
life. But no, his political leeches had
not yet sucked enough earthly pelf
from his appointive officers and they
practically compelled the senator, then
in his second childhood, to stand once
more for reelection that their personal
ambitions might be gratitied. The
Chief says that at that time Gov. Cum
minis said "He would continue the fight"
AS to the truth of this utterance we do
not know, but if Gov. Cummins did make
that statement we see no reason why he
should be condemned; he is free born
American citizen, as we are, also his
numerous supporters, and they had a
perfect right to continue the contest if
they SO desired. The rank and file of
the people Of Iowa are proud of A. B.
Cummins and the United States recog-
nizes in, him man Of superior worth,
and all the kicking such inferior polite
ians as the Chief and his own little
band will not prevent Iowas present
chief Executive from shining as one of
the brightest stars in political firma-
ment.
When it comes to railroad assess
ments the Chief becomes as excited as
an old squaw and doubtless spent many
sleepless hours figuring per cent, mile
age and values. At last he arrives at a
most startling conclusion and an
nounces that the assessment Of land in
Decatur county was raised II per cent
by the board of equalization, but he
fails to state that the price of farm land
in this county has doubled in it's market
value within the past three years. He
also fails to state that the increase ir
the assessment of the G. B. & @. rail
road was $525 per mile. The present
executive council has done more tt
eaualize the assessment on all classes O
property in the state of Iowa than an.
council that has proceeded it in recent
years, and SO by doing have kept faitl
with the people of the state. The
entire discourse of the Chief calls t,
mind a beautiful little verse of poetry
which is SO appropriate for presen1
needs that we can not refrain from re
producing it for his special benefit.
The Chief stood on the burning deck,
And viewed the "Ring', a total wreck.
la,