Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-22
IS ON SORD|D BASIS
Tactics Adopted by Hull Ma
chine In Polk County, Lead
to Peculiar Conditions
THE COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE
President Lyon, of the Exchange, An
swers One of the Hull Circulars
With One Urging Members Not to
Follow Those Now Threatening to
Abandon tho Commercial Exchange.
pecial to Times-Renublican,

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Feb. 22.-The basis o.
which the present congressional cam
Ipaign in Polk county is being Tough
out is not as elevating as 1t shoul'
be. 1t is on the basis of sordld gain
Who can get the biggest graft TO
this city, Who can work the govern
ment for most money? Who has tn
bigger pull on the county treasury
These are the only questions bein!
| asked. On this basis the campaign i
machine on the basis that Des Moine
people care only for the man who cal
make himself the greatest CRATER
This situation has led to some pecul
lar complications. Hull was adver-
| tised as the business mems candidate
and it was expected that he wou.t
sweep the city on this score. But one
day in list of the Prouty seekers
| was found the name of ID. B. Lyons
4 PIGslueuL VI tue 4SA-
change. This brought on storm ane
u threat to disrupt the exchange. II
would never do 10 have the head vi
the business mems organization engag-
ed In fighting for Prouty as agains,
a business mems candidate" for con-
greS5. So Lyons was given plainly &c
| understand that II he persisted in go
ing on the stump 1t would mean dis
ruptlon for the exchange and he was
forced to remain quiet AS illustrating
the extent to which this incident
stirred them up the following Is from
one Of the Hull circulars sent out:
Captain Hull thus far. has sue
ceeded in furnishing a great deal OF
employment to laborers and mechanics
In the erection of the buildings Of
the army post. This. however. means
only one-half OF what is already con-
templated. We have In our city an
institution principally supported by
business men and manufacturers. The
object of the Commercial Exchange is
the promotion Of the welfare CT the
laboring men, mechanics and business
men OF Des Moines, by securing new
factories, new business houses, new
Our present congressman has already
secured an appropriation for the mill
tary post and another for the new
postoffice building. and that means not
only thousands OF dollars but millions
OF dollars to be expended in Des Moines
and Polk county. We have no desire
to criticize the action Of any individ-
ual in showing his preference for the
candidate for congress, yet 1t seems j
little strange that the president IF
this organization should permit him.
self to be billed as one of the speak
ers for Prouty. II the object OF the
Commercial Exchange is to promote
and encourage the interests Of the la
boring men. the mechanics and the
business men, why does the president
OF that organization lend hand and
interfere with the continued and sue
cessful completion of the army post,
postoffice and flood protection?"
This brought out from President
Lyons. OF the Commercial Exchange.
circular letter urging members OF the
exchange not to follow the lead OF
few in threatening to abandon the ex-
change and closing with the following
pertinent remarks:
First. The Commercial Exchange
has never been, and trust, will never
become a political organization. II Its
directory board should attempt to use
the exchange TO forward the interests
OF Judge Prouty. Captain Hull or any
other politician. would at once re-
sign the presidency. and sever my con-
nection with 1t.
ut Is therefore manifestly unfair 20
couple the name OF the exchange with
my own in this discussion. insist on
being held personally responsible for
the views entertain. Because hap
pen to occupy the position of president
OF the exchange. should scarcely be
asked to obliterate my individuality or
suppress my opinions on public ques-
lions.
Second. My main contention is
that in working for Judge Prouty. /
am working for Des Moines
Il do not care to discuss. nor. is II
necessary to differ with you as to what
splendid things Captain Hull has done
or could do II returned to congress.
I have been his friend and l am now.
The very fact that he has done 30
much for Des Nioines has created
bitter and anti Hull sentiment in every
county outside OF Polk. ] am fully
persuaded that there is well organic
ed movement. ready to launch promptly
to elect an outside man. if Prouty is
defeated
THE only question left to consider
in this campaign is whether or no,
we want the Seventh district repre-
scented by citizen OF Dies Moines, 1t
being foregone conclusion to my
mind, that said citizen cannot be
Captain Hull.
Personally prefer to vote for n
Des Moines man who can be elected.
In doing so. l feel that am showing
the greatest possible loyalty to Des
Moines"