Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-05-17
THE aoveRNoRsHIP or IOWA.
Article BY a Prominent Young Repub-
lican of Cameron Township.

|
lican of Cameron Township.
One of the most momeutous cam
paigns ever witnessed in Iowa is now
on. A great battle is now being
waged with the people on one side
and the corporations on the other. AS
our state stands today she is practc-
ally out from under corporate con
troll. Our reform governor who has
done much to bring about the favor
able conditions we enjoy at present
| is asking for another term on the
strength of his past record as chief
executive of our state. To my mind
he has discharged his duties faithful
ly and WE'LL and in every instance
where discussion or difference has
arisen between the people aud the
corporate interests of our country he
has invariably taken the side of our
common people as against the
politician, the railroads, the corpor
ations, etc. The man who believes in
having every voter exercise his pre-
ference in regard to any public
measure is the man / desire to serve.
Such a man do | believe Governor
Cummins to be. Then let me recite
briefly why | favor him for a third
term, In the first place he is for a
direct primary whereby every voter
may cast ballot for the person of
his choice for any office. This cuts
out the politician and gives the people
almost absolute charge of the sit
uation. Then why fear the primary?
One man has the same rights as
another when IL comes to suffrage,
Second, Governor Cummins favors the
election of u. s. senator's by direct
vote. This is certainly proper too.
Corporate interests enter the modern
Legislature often-times and elect the
senator of their choice. When that
senator reaches the national body he
must vote on every question AS the
corporation which elected him die
tates, for he dare not vote against the
former which created him. On the
other hand let the people vote direct
for the senator, elect good man and
he goes to Washington with his hands
free to work for the people whom he
is honor bound to serve To the best OF
his ability. Again, our governor has
always declared that the railroads
should pay their just share OF taxes
and that they should be under proper
control. This point is too obvious
to need discussion. He has long fav-
ored the anti-pass bill so that no leg
islator or any other person would
need to work or vote for railroad in
terests through courtesy. So his
position on this question has the en-
dorsement ola majority OF our people.
When every man pays his railroad
fare, we are sure of cleaner political
conditions and purer legislation
This article Is already stealing
space from our editor. Let me say in
conclusion that ! favor Cummins be-
cause | believe he Is right He has
fought and is now fighting for the
people while nearly every corporate
interest, a majority OF the politicians,
nearly every railroad and nearly
every combine are against him. 1t
occurs to me then that if | vote true
to my own interests and convictions
and for the betterment of my state |
must cast my ballot for the anti
monopoly candidate. | must cast my
| ballot for the candidate who believes
in allowing every voter equal power
with all others in settling all public
questions. ] shall vote for the man
who considers the day laborer fully
as worthy as the railroad king. See
| ing the future as now see it my only
conscientious course is to work and
vote for the denomination OF our pres
ent fearless and peerless" COVER
nor.
However let me say that it is my
honest belief that the other three can
didates are good true men. And ii a
majority of Iowa republicans see fit to
head the state ticket with Rathbun,
Herriott or Perkins instead of our
present governor, no one will serve
them more Loyalty or vote for them
more readily than l. | am q firm be-
lever in majority rule and have but
little love for the bolter. Let every
true republican resolve within him
self that the choice of the state con-
vention shall be his choice too and
that we shall reunite every faction of
the party for most glorious victory
next autumn.
Audubon Shelley.