Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-11-17

the faces of the poor. In this matter
it's pity that his jurisdiction does not
extend to all the denizens of Washing
ton. There's too much loan shark bust
ness done in that delectable city.
Taft and Cox.
In the light of recent events Secre-
tary Taft's opinion of George S. Cox,
whilom Republican boss of Cincinnati,
lacks the favor it possessed before
election, but In any case it is interest
ing reading. In his Akron speech the
secretary said inter ALA:
The Hamilton county,. e., Cincinnati
machine is the result OF from fifheen to
twenty years labor by George b. Cox,
man of great executive talent and pollt-
ical sagacity. Beginning with the politics
Of the ward, he has created a political or
ganization in the city of Cincinnati and
the county of Hamilton. founded on the
cohesive power of the public patronage
which operates as smoothly to control the
nominations and elections in the city and
county as nicely adjusted Corliss en-
CINE.
The whole government of both county
and city Is absolutely under his control
and every Republican political convention
dominates the men whom he dictates
The organization is carried far beyond
the mere preparation for conventions and
embraces the strictest discipline among
the cohorts in bringing out full vote on
each election day
The government under the machine is
constantly described as very corrupt
one. Such a government generally begets
corruption. But If it exists in Cincinnati
| It seems difficult to secure legal or prac-
| tical proof of 1t sufficient to convince the
| voter.
But the power secured by the boss and
his assistants under the machine has UNI
dcubtedly Injured to their pecuniary ben
eft and 1t is seen in the large fortunes
which they now have. How their money
was made has not been disclosed. The
large public utility corporations seem to
regard the boss as a conserving influence
and are content to have the control Of the
machine continue as it Is. because they
regard themselves as thus insured against
disturbance in their franchise.
The condition Is one of absolute help
lessness on the part of any independent
Republican seeking to take part in poll
/ tics and to act independently of the ma
chine, and the distressing effect Is now
seen upon all the young men ambitious
| politically, as 1t either drives them out of
politics and deprives the public of their
probably valuable services or II they go
into politics they must subordinate them
| selves to the tyranny of the boss.
| 1t Is a condition of affairs-a local des-
| pottsn-much to be deplored and If I had
thought that by speaking and supporting
Governor Herrick tonight / should be do
| ing anything for the perpetuation of the
power of the Cox machine in Cincinnati.
or IL thought that Governor Herrick had
entered INTO the corrupt bargain with
| Cox. as charged, / should not be here.
In reading those words one naturally
recalls the words of the psalmist, "Be-
hold how good and beautiful 1t is for
brethren to dwell together in unity"
Tho Canal.
People generally want an isthmian
canal and are willing to pay any fair
or reasonable price for the same. A
year and half ago they thought they
would have it In five or six years. Now
they are becoming skeptical about ever
getting It, Hope deferred maketh the
heart sick. First and last, some $780,,
100000 one way and another has been
spent in surveying, jawing, estimating,
quarreling, crossfiring and chaffering
with the French. Still no canal and
precious few signs of one. Even the
kind of canal to be attempted hasn't
been determined on. Nobody knows
whether 1t Is to be lock canal or sea
level. Mr.. Youmans. ex-canal COM
missioner, says it will take century to
build 1t at the present rate. Some other
savant has raised him, placing the time
at 500 years. Still another savant
vouchsafes the information that ships
will be sailing through the canal In
about four years. It's dreadful mess
When we voted for the canal the est.
mates Of cost were $150,OOOOOO. Now
$1,000, 100000 is mentioned as the price
In the meantime Hon. Samuel Com,
pers. president of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor, has proclaimed that Chi.
nese coolies shall not do the digging;
hence Barbados negroes will be the
main reliance, and they appear to be a
sorry lot.
1t Is given out that Secretary Taft
and Mr.. Chairman Shonts are at log.
gerheads. At any rate, the secretary
has gone to the isthmus to see what he
can see. Oae thing is cocksure-he may
not know much about building canals
but If he keeps on travelling he will be
an expert in geography.
A Proposed Economy.
Mr.. Secretary Of War William II. Taft
has prepared his estimate for need
ed appropriations for the army for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1907. and
asks for $9,717,322.52 less than the ap
Preparations already made for the fis
cal zsar ending June 80. 1905. The sec