Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-02-28
THE vlNDIcArloN OF HEPBURN

Col. W. p. Hepburn, congressman
from the eighth district and chairman
of the house committee on interstate
commerce, appeared before an audi
ence Of his constituents at Corning
yesterday and answered to the charges
OF desertion Of their interests, viola
ton of his trust and of their conf
dence that have been made against
him by critics all over the country.
After maintaining silence throughout
a series Of attacks he returned to his
home district, to the people whose rep
resentative he is, to set himself right
in their opinions and to vindicate him
self. And he succeeded, even beyond
the highest expectations of his friends.
To those who listened to Colonel
Hepburn in the little opera house at
Corning yesterday. the event was preg-
nant with political significance. Gal
liant old warrior that he is, veteran of
scores of conflicts on the bloody field
of battle and on the floor Of the halls
of congress, he faced yesterday cri-
sis-probably the crisis-of his entire
eventful career. And he met it with
such bravery, such straightforward
honesty, such answering manliness,
that no fair minded man who heard
him, could help but be convinced of
his sincerity, his honor, his determin-
alton to do right by the people who
give him their confidence.
Henry Wallace, the man whom Col
Hepburn blames for his defeat in 1886,
and the one who has taken the fore
most part in the recent attacks upon
the eighth district congressman, spoke
first. He charged Mr.. Hepburn, by
inference at least. with responsibility
for the delay in railroad rate legisla-
ton. and criticised his action and his
position. He had his audience with
him. The reforms for which he spoke
are needed and the question is one
which concerns every Iowa farmer. It
was easy for the Adams county people
to blame Col. Hepburn. They had to
lay the fault upon some ones shout
ders. And SO they cheered Wallace,
believed him, and sided with him.
But when Col. Hepburn arose to
speak, the sentiment began immedi-
ately to change. AS he proceeded, in
a manly way, to tell the people Of his
regard for their opinion, of his aspira-
ton to serve them honestly and well.
OF MS belief in the right of their con-
tention, of his desire to see them Sc
cure the reforms they need, of his long
battle with Mr.. Wallace, of his work
in congress for railroad legislation. the
atmosphere became charged with diff
ferent sentiment. Every man could
feel that the sympathy was shifting to
Col. Hepburn. Every man could re-
alize the sincerity of his words and of
his position. And when he finished
by reading autograph letters in which
President Roosevelt and Attorney Cen
eral Moody complimented him highly
for his efforts and endorsed them. the
enthusiasm knew no bounds. Cheer
after cheer interrupted him as he
spoke and when he had finished the ap-
piause was enough to pay him ten
times over for the trouble of his visit
to Iowa in the middle Of session Of
congress.
The people will not soon forget YES
terday's meeting. When they crowded
upon the stage to greet Col. Hepburn
yesterday they showed in their manner
and their words the regard they have
for him. He had indeed won the day.