Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-04-18

Of the criticism directed toward
Governor Cummins by a few Iowa
editors Their motives and breadth
of mind are best revealed by brief
analysis of their platform of prin-
ciples' so-called
A few years ago one Leslie M. Shaw
became candidate for governor.
Satisfying themselves in advance
that he speaks our language" the
late lamented Judge Hubbard passed
word down the line (railroad0 and he
was nominated. On all railroad mat
ters he stood pat for the existing ord
err. The railroads We're paying taxes on
twelve per cert Of their value while
the law required them to pay taxes
on twenty-five. Other classes of pro-
perty were five per cent below the
laws Requirements. Since Shaw's
term the new order has equalized
matters by increasing railway values
for assessment more than ten mill
lion dollars. Shaw and Dobson, with
others became stockholders in a
savings company which when analyz-
ed indicated that it's design was to
transfer the Savings" Of laboring
people to the Golfers of the stock
holders. 1t was finally scourged from
the state.
Now whoever makes any reference
to these things is seeking to "tear
down. Shaw and Dobson and Merriam
and others Of the same clan. More
over anything; these men want is in
the eyes of the Recorder man "laud-
able" ambition which must be encour-
aged and supported.
During Shaw's administration as
governor, Citizen Cummins was asked
to become president Of one of
these savings" concerns. He ex-
amined the plan, reached the con-
clusion that it was an effort to clothe
genteel robbery in legal guise and re-
fused. His known integrity would
have made his name a valuable as
set in such a concern. A little later,
he was practically forced to become
a candidate to succeed Shaw. The
old Leader under Allan Dawson. had
built up or rather crystalized within
the republican party strong oppo-
sition to the railroad and graft domi-
nance which had long prevailed. 1t
required a strong personality to lead
these forces with any hope of Win
ming. 1t was recognized that A. B.
Cummins was the man who could
succeed. When his friends showed
race he gave up forty thousand
dollar law practice to become a lead
err of what looked like a forlorn hope
| with the possibility of securing four
thousand dollar job. The result is a
matter of history. Cummins has
given the state as good an admins
traton as it ever had. Railroad tax
es have been increased. The state
funds on deposit now draw interest
for the state to the extent of thirty
thousand dollars annually. Railroad
merger plans-the effort to New Jer-
seyize Iowa-was vetoed. Fake in
surance concerns were driven from
the state. There is not the faintest
suspicion OF evil doing about the state
house in any department under the
Cummins regime. Moreover, the state
the people-have had in the governor
an able champion of their rights and
interests. From Maine to Texas he is
in demand as speaker because he has
ability in this field and because he is an
honest man and is so recognized every-
where.
Such papers as the Recorder see
nothing wrong in the ambition of
Senator Allison and Dolliver toSsuc-
coed themselves, nor do we. Allison
has been in congress little less than
forty years, Dolliver has served near
ly twenty. Shaw has been governor
and secretary of the treasury. Hep
burn, Hull, Lacey and others have
been many years in public life. And
last but not least there is Major Con-
ger. state trea surer three terms. con-
gresham, minister to Brazil minister
to China. Why should the sneering
term: What more does he want be
applied to Cummins alone while to ali
the others the glad hand is ex-
tended. The ambition of Cummins is
described as vain" while that of ali
the others named is called "laudable.' y