Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-20

tions. 1t does not touch the opera
ton Of railways; it does not affect
their revenue, and they have no legiti-
mate interest In 1t. Nevertheless
they are exerting every ounce Of
strength which money and organiza-
ton can create, to defeat the primary
election bill. They are hunting 1t to
its death with persistency and vim
dictiveness l have never seen sur
passed. A moments reflection
will show you why the allied
corporate powers have decided
They know that if the bill passes it will
do more to lessen their influence in
politics than any other measure now
proposed for the public good. Let no
man be deluded by these specious
suggestions that primary elections will
increase the power of railways. II so
these masters of intrigue who are now
endeavoring to thwrart the will OF an
overw helming proportion OF the voters
of Iowa, would not be spending the
winter in Des Moines
"The influence of corporations in
the nomination and election of candi-
dates for office presents the fundament-
al issue of the present time. l have
taken my stand upon 1t and during the
four years which have been governor
have taxed my strength to its very
limit in checking the advance of cor
porate ambition and avarice. A great
majority of the republicans Of Iowa
believe that the principles have at
tempted to define are essential to good
government, and that the issue have
suggested must be settled and settled
right, no matter how long continued
the struggle may be.
Fer months past the republicans
from all quarters Of the state have
been insisting that it was my duty to
stand for denomination. They can not
be convinced that they are on the right
side Of this issue, when they find them
selves shoulder to shoulder with Mr..
Blythe and his associates. They feel
safer when they know that they are
not supporting the candidate in whom
this manager Of railway politics is in
terested. They have made it clear to
me that I am not free to follow my
inclinations: that my task is not yet
finished, and that can serve the COM
mon welfare more effectually as gov
erno.. than in any other capacity.
II have yielded to these solicitations
and demands, not because I want Office,
but because these thousands of repub-
licans insist that I can render the
state and country some further serv-
ice, and because it looks cowardly to
abandon the field while the fight is in
progress.
"I need not at this time discuss the
economic and financial questions which
divide the people into parties. You
know my views upon them, for have
been neither silent nor uncertain.
believe profoundly in the principles and
doctrines Of the republican party, but
above all its economic and financial
tenets. f@Aelieve in Abraham Lin
coins inspired sentence, This nation
shall under Cod have a new birth Of
freedom; that government, of the peo-
ple. by the people, and for the people,
shall not perish from the earth The
new birth must be proclaimed from
time to time, not only in days Of war,
but in days of peace as we'll, and we
are now passing thru period In which
every citizen should breathe into the
nation the fervent spirit Of free and in
pandent manhood.
",rhe issue is in your hands. Do
with it and wit me as you believe the
good Of the state and the people re-
oui,.es Yours very truly,
ALBERT B. CUMM1NS."