The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-16
IOWA TOO BUSY FOR POLITICS
BUT A GREAT REPUBLICAN, MA
JORITY rs EXPECTED.
The state Too Prosperous to Take Much
Interest In the Campaign-Likely to
Send Eleven Republicans to Con.
gress-Democrats Are DisOrg anized.


gress--Democrats Are Disorg anized.
DIES MONIES, Ia, Oct. 15.-Iowa is 30
prosperous and her people are 80 busy
with their private affairs that they are
taking less interest In politics this year
than usual In fact. they are trying to get
rid Of half Of their State campaigns by
adopting an amendment to the Constitu-
ton doing away with the elections In of
years, and electing all State and county
officers In the even numbered years, when
Congressman are chosen.
Such an amendment was adopted four
years ago, but was set aside on account
Of q technicality. This time there is more
opposition to it from some OF the politicians
and from the country newspapers.
The Secretary of the Treasury, Leslie
M. Shaw, has been doing active work
against the amendment. When he came into
the State on his way East from the Pacific
Coast and made two speeches in the one
doubtful Congressional district in Iowa,
he devoted a good share OF his time to
fighting this amendment.
Though two-thirds OF the States have
adopted the plan OF biennial elections, the
Secretary fears that il annual campaigns
are abolished the political education OF
the people will be neglected and the State
will not be able to keep up its Republican
record. He asserts that the political prom
inence Of Ohio and Massachusetts Is due
to the annual campaigns carried on in
those States.
Some Of the opposition to the amend
ment IL due to the fact that II it is adopted
il will extend the term OF Gov. Cummins
for one year, and will bring bao; for an
other session all the members OF the last
Legislature. Certain interests regard the
members of this General Assembly with
disfavor, since they could not get what
they Wanted from the last Legislature.
1t is understood that Gov. Cummins would
much rather to retire and resume his law
practice than to serve another year.
He is being urged by some of his friends
to be a candidate for the Republican nomi-
nation for Congress against John A. T.
Hull, chairman Of the executive committee
of the Republican Congressional campaign
comm ittee. If he is retained in office an
additional year, or until Jan. /, 1907, he
would not be likely to be candidate against
Congressman Hull.
The latter had last winter the greatest
fight that any Congressman ever had in
the State for the nomination for an eighth
term, and no one but Gov. Cummins could
underta Ike with any hope Of success to
be a candidate against him. They both
live in this city and a contest between
them would be very close, although Capt
Hull would probably win, because the Gov
ernor's attitude toward the tariff is not
pop ular with all the business men CT Des
Moines.
Business conditions, especially agricul-
tural conditions, have always had strong
influence upon politics in Iowa. A bad
year. with crop failure or very lew prices
for Iowa staples, is favorable to the Democ-
racy. This year is one Of the best that Iowa
has ever had, and the farmers have no COM
plant to make.
- The. corn crop will be about oo,9ooo
bushels, and the price for corn and hogs
will be high. The season has been very
favorable for maturing the crop, and the
only failure which Iowa farmers ma re
suffered this year has been with wheat,
which is crop Of little importance in this
State.
The general conditio n is indicated by
the bank deposits. which now average
about $40 per capita Tor the entire state;
The deposits in State, savings and national
banks have increased from 6S,s4l ,557 IN
1895 to slas ss IN 1907 or aoou. 2oU pes
independent OF the East than ever before,
and less Eastern money is required tins
year to move the big crop Business faii-
ilres have been very few. %,
All these conditions have strengthened
the Republican party in the State. Farmers
are good natured and merchants are enter
ing upon a very prosperous season In
the northern part OF the State, and to some
extent over the State generally, the sea-
sons OF 1902 and 1908 were unfavorable to
agriculture, and farmers contracted'a good
many debts which they will now be able
to pay.
The State officers to be ELECTED this year
are: Secretary OF State. Treasurer, Auditor,
General Judge Of the Supreme
Court and Railway Commissioner; In
all cases but the last the incumbents have
been renominated and there is no interest
in the State ticket, because it is only
question OF how large the majority Tor
the Republican candidates will be.
or the eleven Congressional districts
all are absolutely sure to elect Republicans
except one the Second district, where Judge
Martin ]. Wade, the only Democratic Con,
gresham from Iowa, is likely to be defeated
by Albert F. Dawson, who is Senator ALI
sons secretary. This district Is normally
Republican, but Democrat was elected two
wears ago because OF indifference toward
the Republican nominee and the personal
popularity Of Judge Wade.
Inc OuOs against tHe LSiioSi ops - io""
are increased this year by the indifference
Of many Democrats to the national ticket
on account of the domination Of the party
by Hill and Belmont A. W. Maxwell,
the chairman Of the Democratic State com
mittee, resigned his post and is supporting
Roosevelt and the entire Republican ticket,
purely from motives Of revenge
Fred f. White, who once defea tod Major
Lacey for Congress in the Sixth district
and was the Democratic nominee for Gov
ernor five wears ago, has refused to do
anything to help the ticket, and has written
a letter expressing his disgust with the
present mana cement Of the party in the
country. Both OF these men are Free
Silverites and devoted followers Of Bryan.
Many other Democrats IN the State are
OF the same opinion, though not many OF
them have publicly expressed themselves.
While a good many Gold Democrats have
gone back to the party on the strength OF
the Parker telegram, an equal or greater
number have Joined the Republican party,
saving that they have no confidence in
Parker's ability to withstand free silver
onslaught from the Solid South should he
be elected.
The prospect. therefore, is that the Re-
publican ma joritv in the State will be larger
than ever. II all depends upon how well
the Republican vote is organized and
brought to the polls. It is expected by the
Republican management that the majority
,,.I Is