Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-09-17

STATE HOUSE JANlToR is QUIET
Chairman Spence Makes No Apology
For Soliciting Funds From lowans
Who Hold Fat Federal Jobs-speak-
er Clarke Being Mentioned For Gu
bernationai Succession.
Special to Times-Republican.
bernationaI Succession.

| Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Sept. 17.--There is just
one spot in the state OF Iowa that will
be wholly exempt from attack by the
democrats this year as they go about
with lanterns looking for something on
which to base political campaign.
That is the state house.
The republicans of Iowa, after many
years in office, and long exercise OF
power, unlike the democrats of Mis-
souri,, are not put to any necessity OF
apology for what has happened In the
state capitol, nor do they have to go
before the people with profuse promises
of house cleaning in their own party In
state affairs. Practically nothing will
/ be said about state affairs in the cam
| paigl, for republicans have become so
| accustomed to having everything all
right that they never think how they
| might be. otherwise, and their oppon-
ents do not care to raise any discussion
OF honest in management OF state at
fairs.
The city of Des Moines has gained
some repute, not all deserved, OF being
| a hotbed of perpetual petty politics.,
! and in other years it has been much
noted that the state house was sort
| Of clearing house for political opinions
| and political planning, but capital city
and capital building are much alike this
year-botf politically dead. A whilom
politician explained it today.
| We've, simply whipped ourselves
out. he said. There is a certain
Lanount Of political energy in the peo-
rie. I'VE have exhausted our supply IN
1.-THE past few years and must perforce
wait to recuperate."
The deadest place in the whole coun-
try at the present time from polltl-
cal standpoint, is the state house. IL
has been getting worse for several
wears. The last session Of the leg
islature ought to be recorded In MIS-
tory as the session without either party
or factional politics. The era of pol1ti-
cal good feeling has run right on into
the present. You can't get up an ar
gument with anybody-not even with
a state house janitor. From the most
important of these down to the COVER
nor there is an air of satisfaction and
contentment.
And if there is anyone more than
another especially combative when po-
litical topics are broached it is state
house janitor Everyone is a politician
Every one has views and opinions and
| is privileged to express them on all oc-
casions. But this year janitors, clerks,
stepographers and state officials are
saying very little.
The state capitol of Iowa is becoming
more and more just big. business Of
fee building where everybody is busy
with the affairs of state and nobody is
willing to give up of the states time to
consider party or fact1onal politics. 1t
is not generally understood, but is true,
that the last legislature and the one
Just preceding it,added Immensely to
the amount of work to be done in the
state and in many offices, and espec-
ially with regard to the executive coun-
Gil. That body has become by long
odds the most important single board
i'm the state Three of the members of
the board are candidates for reelection
this year. so that if there was any issue
to be made on state matters 1t would
be appropriate that this year the op-
ponents of republican state officials
should show themselves. In the mean
time the business of the state is being
attended to most carefully.
And so it happens that the visitors
to. the state house are persons VINO
have business there and the conferences
are those that relate to the peoples in
terests.
Last year an abortive effort was
made bv the democrats to attack re-
publican administration OF affairs in
Iowa by putting up the claim that
the executive council had in fact low
cred the assessments on railroad pro-
perty so that the farmers would have
to paw more taxes. The answer to
that was the biggest republican ma
jority the farmers of the state ever
rolled up for the republican ticket IN
!. the state. No such foolish attack will
be made this year on the republican
state administration
Another notable thing about the
state house is the entire freedom from
scandal Of any kind. There is not
breath of suspicion anywhere as to the
conduct. personal or official. of any
state official or of any subordinate. A
visitor to the Iowa state house few
days ago called attention to this ana
said it is not so in every state OF the
union There is no phase of state al
fairs, no item Of expenditure or OF tax
alton, no matter of administration, IN
the remotest way connected with the
Iowa state capitol, but that will stand
the closest inspection. 1t is IN th's
entire freedom from anything Tor
which criticism may be offered tha1
the state house escapes attention
There is nothing doing-that Is, notn-
H.. - I. -;