Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-03
ROAD LAW
Democratic Effort to Make Par
tisan Issue Out of Ruling
Not Yet In Operation
FIGHT AGAINST VI FELL FLAT
The Opposition Will Cause No Trouble
for the New Iowa Road Law in the
Legislature Elected Today-Judge
Prouty Believes That the Basis of
tho Protective System Is Changing.


Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Nov. 3.-Some funny
things made their appearance in the
closing days of the present political
campaign, and none more amusing
than an effort to make a partisan Is
isue out of the new road law which
has not even yet got around to work.
ing operation in the state of Iowa. In
number of places democratic candidates
have sought to gain favor by denounc-
Ing the law. 1t was known long ago
that practically every tax dodger In the
state was opposed to the law, because
| it compels owners of property to really
do something for the benefit OF
the roads. But in only one coun-
ty, Clinton, did the democrats dare to
pass resolutions demanding the repeal
Of the new road law. In number OF
districts democratic candidates have
the southern part of the state, tried
to take advantage of the opposition
to the law by publishing letter de-
nouncing II. In Jasper county farmer
wrote to the Monroe Mirror long
letter denouncing the law. Among
other things he said
There has already been resolution
passed by the rural mail carriers to
petition the legislature to double the
tax levy for road purposes. This is just
what expected would happen from
such an odious road law. which is an
iutter failure and bears no resemblance
of economy to the taxpayer. This law
in the first place was gotten up by the
bicycle manufacturers and riders and q
few city dudes that take buggy ride
on the country road once In 80 days.
That ought to settle 1t. II true. 1t
lis a little hard on Mr.. Anderson, edi-
IL - tbs Indianola Herald. who was
father OF the law, and Mr.. Coburn, of
Cherokee county and a number of 9TH
ers who worked hard for the bill. From
all appearances the fight against tha
road law fell fiat and will cause no
trouble for the law in the legislature
elected today.
"A peculiar local fight developed hers
in Polk county in the closing days of
the campaign. There is one democratic
member OF the board Of supervisors and
the rest are republicans. In two dis
tricts that are close supervisors are
elected this year and the democrats set
out to get these two members. They
are both country districts The animus
OF the thing is desire to gain con-
troll Of the building Of the new county
court house. This structure has now
been we'll commenced. The basement
story is up and much of the cut stone
for the main floor is In place. Work has
progressed rapidly on the structure and
the showing is indeed fine one. even
tho William E. Curtis did describe the
foundation as an old ruin. The dem
ocrats claim they would like to finish
the Job because they are suspicious of
the republicans and fear there nigh.
be steal somewhere. The court house
is to cost a great deal more than was
contemplated by the voters But 1t is
to be a really handsome building be-
fitting the capital Of the state.
I0e DOpullSCS nave OeeI SleeDluS. II.
the last issue of the only paper now
printed In the state that claims to
support the populist ticket j. R. Nor
man. the state chairman" had this
to say about the way the people We're
going to vote in Iowo this year:
The republicans and democrats like
the union populist brethren, fail to get
up any enthusiasm In this campaign.
the people seem to be going to use their
brains and vote as their consciences di-
rect them and don't propose to be in
f1uenced by brass bands and long
windy speeches from the trusts promot-
ers. the people are going to vote as
their sense directs them for their own
interests and liberty"
All Of which was prophetic even If
Ut lacked grammar or proper punctua
ton.
II am one Of those who believe" says
Judge S. f. Prouty. of this city. shat
the basis OF the protective system is
changing. 1t must be conceded by all
that this country does not need tariff
so much for the protection of her in
fant industries as she did at one time.
Our institutions have grown strong and
powerful. We are manufacturing many
articles which we are selling in COM
petition with the worlds production.
This will increase as time goes on. The
great problem before the American
people is not how they may increase
their home production, but how they
may best open the markets of this
world TO their goods And predict
that in the Eext ten years the protec-
tive tariff will be changed from wall
of defense to an instrument of CONNER
cial warfare 1t will be made the basis
for diplomatic international commerce.
England Is feeling and realizing this
situation She realizes that In her at
tempt to negotiate reciprocal treaties
she has nothing to give, therefore is II
no shape to ask anything in return.
Judge Prouty has a very specific plan
for going at the matter and leaves no
doubt as to where he will stand on the
matter If the people of the Seventh dis
trict send him to congress next year
He adds:
I'VE are approaching a time whe'
reciprocity will become a potentiality