The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-04
THAT FLAG OF TRUCE
An Independent Republican Voter
Hits the Journal a Hard Rap.
EDITOR REPORTER:

preston OF OPINION IN the columns OF
the local Machine organ, which poses as
the "party paper" in Decatur county, we
ask the use of your columns for the pur-
pose of giving expression to few ideas
which the article with the above cap
tion, in last weeks machine made trust
organ originated. There are factions
in the republican party, in Decatur
county, it is true. An honest inquirer
after the cause will not be required to
indulge in a prolongned search of min
ute analysis. When the time comes, il
it ever does, that the "party paper can
truthfully say that it is mot made or
owned by trust and becomes a y -
paper instead of an ORGAN the sS It
step needed toward harmony wiB 8 u
been taken. 1t has long been the policy
of the editor DE FACTo, which is being
emulated by the editor AID INTERIM of
the Journal, to recognize no interest in
the party save that which emanated from
either Burlington or Clarinda. Like the
Publican of old, it's editor has looked
constantly toward the east when he
offered his political prayer. To this
practice, on his part, may be attribut-
ed, more than any other, the cause of
factional differences in the republican
party. At the time when as the editor
of the "party paper he should have
been neutral, he has been biased in his
Judgment and untruthful in his reports.
For the exigencies of the senatorial
campaign "false" corporation was Or
ganized and populist enthroned as ed
itor.
From such a source comes this sent
ence--notice the grammatical construc-
tion--'It is the party paper and
has a standing and prestige AMONG the
party that no new paper could shake
What assurance have the Cummins
men, so-called, that this plea for har-
mony is made in good faith? Who makes
it? The populist editor of the journal.
Who inspired it? Probably the principal
owner of the Journal, who has recently
been adopted and given bottle, by the
machine henchmen, and who wants the
votes of the Cummins men. 1t may not
be made in good faith for the reason
that the editor of the journal, past and
present, have an unhappy faculty of get
ting OH both sides of different questions,
This is due to the habit of obeying the
orders of his superiors. In proof of the
last statement we recall that the editor
man and wrote number of letters to
Cummins pledging his support to him
for senator against Gear. These letters
are still in existence and can be pro-
duced if necessary. The journal has
ostrichized on the tariff in two years.
Note the strenuous opposition to the
"lowa idea" SO called and then read
the following comment on the first plat
form which contained the "ldea." In
it's issue of August %, 1901, on page two
second column, under the caption, The
Cedar Rapids Platfrom; The convention
put itself on record in favor Of tariff re-
vision whenever made necessary by the
progress of our Industries and their
changing relation to the commerce of
the world. We are also well pleased
| with this declaration. While we are a
strong protectionist, WE ALSO BE-
LIEVE IN REVISING THE TARIFF
WHENEVER CIRCUMSTANCES MAKE
IT NECESSARY, FOR THE GOOD or
THE PEOPLE. Capitals our ours.)
| "That should certainly be considered
GOOD REPUBLICAN DOCTRINE and it
does not ANTAGONIZE TRUE PROTEC-
TION."
This was probably editor Stookey's
real sentiment, but orders subsequently
received made it necessary for him, as
in the senatorial campaign alluded to
above, to change his attitude if not his
mind. How much more satisfactory it
would be for the editor to do his own
thinking?
| A recent issue of this machine organ
contained this reference to the COVER
nor of this state. Governor Cummins has
started to return inside the republican
fold. When he sailed forth only few
followed, who are now all coming back
Oh the run. And this is the source OF
the proposed harmony. Just at this
time the trust which claims to own the
journal probably desires large assort-
ment of harmony. Its principal owner
lexpects to be nominated for senator
Another feigned member of the Jorrna
Trust wants to be nominated by his
party for representative. Another
quasi owner occupying judicial posi-
| iton is just now being sorely threatened
| by his former allies by reason of re
/ cent unfortunate and unjustifable sen
tence pronounced against a murderer
4 1.-THE protfer of harmony If accentad h,