Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-03-11
Hawkeye Republican Split.


If people voted their interests in,
stead Of their prejudices Iowa would
be the strongest Democratic state in
the Union. One of the amazing anon
allies of our times is that she is one OF
the strongest Republican states, now
having Republican state administra-
ton, two Republican United States
senators, two Republican cabinet min
listers and delegation in the house
containing only one lone Democrat out
Of eleven members.
But even In rock ribbed Iowa men
are returning to their political sanity,
There are signs that light is breaking
in upon the Hawkeye intellect. Gov.
ernor A. B. Cummins has set up a
standard of revolt against the fatuous
stand patters and ia advocating ration
al reciprocity such as was advocated
by James G. Blaine and William Nc,
Kinley. For SO doing Republican poll.
ticians and editors abuse him without
stint, some moderately and some with
out decency or discretion. He is ac-
cused of being Democrat in disguise,
though that charge is somewhat be-
lated, and, il true, only shows the dull
ness of discernment of Iowa Repub.
licans. But Governor Cummins, as
well as Democrats, will deny the soft
impeachment. That he is fighting fol
his political life there is no question,
but he chooses to fight inside Repub-
ucan party lines. Here is fair sam
pie Of the most gentle criticism on
him. The Rockwell City Advocate,
Republican, says:
Mr.. cummins has the right, Of course,
to think az he pleases on these various
points in the tariff question. but without
reading him out of the party for that 1t
10 pertinent to inquire what right or JUS
tice there is in his demand that every
delegate to county, state and national
conventions this year must not only be
favorable to him personally, but agree to
support his tariff views. There are
good many men in Iowa who would like
to be friendly to him, but think that they
have the right to do so and yet not &C.
cept his radical utterances. But the gov-
ernor says this year that he will have
none Of their support. Instead of continue
Ing on the way to becoming leader Of
the whole party in the state. tolerating
divergent views that necessarily arise, as
s!sts that no Republican shall enter Re-
publican convention In Iowa. If he and his
advisers can prevent 1t, unless they will
accept views that have not been adopted
by any national convention and that a
very large number think are contrary to
the interests Of Iowa and the Republican
party. Such test Of Republicanism
and participation in Republican councils
has never been the policy of the party,
II is not right or just. and we do not be-
Neve any man will attain to permanent
leadership by climbing up that way, We
believe Governor Cummins has been
wrongly advised and hope he may yet SEQ
the better way to harmony and Repub-
1ican success.
That's from an Iowa Republican pa
per, and unless 1t is greatly mistake
% to what Governor Cummins really
intends we may have the edifying
spectacle Of two Republican Iowa dele
cations to the national convention.
An Anti "stand Patter."
Representative Lowering of Massa-
chusetts Is liable to get himself read
out Of the Republican party unless he
keeps his eye skinned. Most assuredly
he will have to be disciplined, for to
permit Republican to talk as he does
10 liable to break up the party. On the
last day Of February he delivered in
the house some remarks on the subject
Of the tariff, from which / make the
following quotation:
Mr.. Chairman. we are prone to lose
sight Of or obscure the fact that what our
Industries are most suffering from today
10 the want of an enlarged outlet for our
surplus products.
There is another way far more potent
and practicable to extend our foreign
trade than by reciprocity. It 10 by liber.
6tzine Dur Drawback laws
Thb trend Of public opinion with refer.
ence to new markets for American prod.
ucts shows that our manufacturers now
keenly realize that production has passed
Tar beyond consumption and that new
markets In the foreign field must be
found II our workmen are to continue to
receive adequate emplaynent,
There u one fundamental principle I'm.
dE!yin0 our tariH legislation which, re.
1ret 20 Say, has not been adhered TO ~
ssasfssa a1s n y ltsss usafst