The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-07
IOWA'S G. 0. P. IS
OFFERED 2 HOMES
POLITICAL STRUGGLE IN HAWK.
EYE STATE BECOMES TENSE.
Lineup Is Made on Cummins and Anti
Cummins Lines, or Progressiyes and
Standpatters, and Campaign WAKES
Warm-Perkins Takes Advantage Of
Governors Silence Regarding Ex-
pected Third Term Candidacy.
Special to The Journal.

Sioux City, Iowa, Feb Whether James j -
Hill is to become the optical dictator OF lows
| arisen in the tense struggle now under way IN
| this state between the two factions OF the re
| publican party, the .progressiSes" Sand the
''standpatters. - - 49,
| Never before in the state has there been
7 contest like this There have been as Bit
/ ter fights, perhaps but never one that had SO
I much to do with the destiny of the state And
/ the question of destiny is whether the republican
1 party in Iowa will be dominated hereafter by
| that element in the party with which are am
/ lated Mr.. Hills railroads., or Whether II VIII go
| to the opposition.
This is the real contest. The struggle over
the enactment of primary bill, the identity OF
| of this state just now. largely because they
4 will determine in which camp the republican
party will hereafter house itself.
i Those who would thoroly understand the sit
uation in this state should know that for
| many years there has been in Iowa politics
railroad crowd. The two big political men OF
the railroads were Judge Hubbard Of Cedar Rap
!. ids, Iowa counsel for the North Western, and )
Mr.. Blythe of Burlington, Iowa counsel for the
| Burlington. They, of course, worked together.
They were recognized as political genfuses SO,
thoro was their work that they built up follow
! ing in southern Iowa that has stood by them
year after year. This is known as the eres-
E. ervation,'' and reaches the southern end
t of the state, below Des MoiEes, to within one
, county Of the Missouri river. 1t includes the
first and eighth districts, and part OF the sixth
i. properly speaking, tho at times 1t has been
n considerably expanded Judge Hubbard died two
' years ago, and his mantle fell upon Bly, the,
: now the sole recognized railroad representative
n in Iowa politics.
> > Cummins Upsets Plans.
h The railroad element dictated in the repub-
lican party most of the time until Cummins
was elected governor. OF course, there
| temporary setbacks, but If the men that went
i, into office were not willing to do the will OF
10 Then came the. Gear-Cummins contest for the
a | senate in 1899. 1t was tremendous struggle,
II fought in almost every county. Blythe and
n Hubbard won for Gear. Then in 1901 Cummins
E ran for governor antirailroad platforms
IN George d. Perkins, editor of the Sioux City
If Journal, highly respected and man of infn-
" ence in politics for many years, expected to
If was the way and Perkins wisely stdestepped.
70 Cummins was elected and reelected.
.e Now Mr.. Perkins has announced his candidacy
~ for the nomination. There are other candidates,
!, I Lieutenant Governor John Herriott and Major
n+ S. w. Rathbun of Marion. but they are not fac
~ tors yet, at least. Governor Cummins would
y gladly step out Of office If he could be assured
a someone of his political belief would succeed
q him. But his followers have been unable to fix
Z: ON any other man whom they would trust with
:. leadership. In spite of the precedent against
third terms, Cumrnins will undoubtedly announce
40 himself candidate for denomination.
- Even before Perkins entered the it IN
~ charged he would be the Blythe candidate, ant
no since then it has been positively asserted he i
~ favored by Blythe. The plan is said to be II
has been strong for Cummins, away from thu
governor, and give it to Perkins. This, witt
the solid reservation and other scattering
support in railroad control, would nominate him
X Perkins Position.
Mr.. Perkins fatty denies he is Blythe's man o
es, Cummins' man. But he has not succeeded ii
ON convincing the Cummins followers. And the fac
as that he has been silent on important ques
SRI lions before the state has been used in supper
"a, Of the charge that he is the Blythe What
~ ever the truth, the lineup has already bee1
;sh made, and it is almost precisely along Cummin
'SH and anti Cumn,ins lines. The Cummins me-
ION say it is a fight for principle. They say /
ish means that they propose the republicans Of low
his will stand for progress that this state will
rch in line for reciprocity tariff revision government
nat regula ton of railroad rates, antipass laws
nes the primary system of nominating party candi
lso dates. Mr.. Perkins simply says he represent
ley no faction, but will serve the whole state.
len Mr.. Perkins political manager, as far as th
not eleventh district is concerned, is generally az
:, mitted here to be A. F. Call OF the legal firm q
i its Wright Call, tho Mr.. Call is keeping wen
ms the background The firm Of Wright g. Ca
NOT represents the Great Northern railroad in siou
on City. When Judge Hubbard was alive, r.
the Bennington the North Western railroad attorne
the here, represented the railroads In local polite
and did effective work for them. Now it
apparent that the commission has been given
Mr.. Call, as Hills agent. The Great Norther
employer: Call would be the logical assistar
-. Of Mr.. Blythe at Sioux City, as the Burlingto
esma et e es'fs Mp CAL a seaa @
congress last year, and won. He made J.
the Kennedy of Sioux City district Judge last wi,
zen ter, when Judge Wakefield died Now he b,
con undertaken to make Mr.. Perkins governor. A
Ws, depends on which way the eleventh distri
nty goes. If Call can deliver the eleventh solidl
ow- it is more than likely Mr.. Perkins will win
sen Mr.. Call is acting with characteristic vigo
,een Call 10 taking advantao 90 ~ +his tont -
ves IN n1odoa tn a1agantb ~ pa.i,. $500 C
us =, minis comes, out So, massmeetings are bell
For held at the county seats to indorse Perkin
anne Inose az sioux City ana onaWa nave area
ter. 1t may be the governorship question will
the Virtually decided In this district in the ne