New-York tribune., 1906-07-29
ED CEASSFIHx
Manager OF tbs Cummins campaign.

Manager OF tbs Cumnins campaign.
that. In compliance with the unbroken Iowa GUS
tom. Cummins would not be a candidate for re-
election There is authority for the statement
that Cumnins himself did not expect 20 run
again. The whole state rather looked 20 Mr.
Perkins as the next Governor. But In the mean
while Iowa became greatly stirred by the agita-
tion of the railroad rate problem under the
leadership OF President Roosevelt Curnnlins
himself had In numerous addresses advocated
strictef regulation Of railroads Evidence OF the
Very senerad support or the President IN Iowa
was found I'm Delivers authorship of the Rate
pllL BGt, unfortunately for himself ME- Perkins
gave the Presidents programme rather luke
warm Endorsement. Furthermore. he was neither
"st0nd-patter'' nor 'revisionist" In his tariff
utterances. Supporters of the Sioux City man
cooled and newspapers began declaring against
him. The charge was launched even before his
candidacy was announced that he would be the
candidate who would have the support OF Blythe
a name made familiar to Iowans by none other
than CunnIiins himself.
Not long after Mr.. PerSins's candidacy was an
nouuced Governor CumHnins asked for a norli-
nation for third term. The Perkins faction
SSnarses tnaG Dy TINS ne proved tnat ne TssardeG
ignored the unvarying precedent against third
terms for Governor. that inasmuch as Mr.. Per
should not now oppose Mr. Perkins after he had
had his full allotment OF Office For Cummins is
was said that he did not want 20 be a candidate,
but that he could induce none Of his competent
supporters 70 make the race, and that 70 with
draw would be to turn over control OF the State
TO tGe interests W6tCM ne A1d Deen uS1ltlEE IOE
almost decade. II was charged by the Perkins
supporters, and is no doubt true that Cummins
wanted another term as Governor to provide
himself q stepping-stOne TO the United States
Senate. To retire from the GovernOrship would
be 20 disarm himself to place himself In such a
vyay AGAINST Blythe. himself credited with a
desire to go TO the Senate. To overcome this
handicap. Cummins wanted statewide. direct
primary law, applying as we'll 20 United States
Senators Through the primary he could appeal
in his own magnetic way 20 the voters them
selves when he should become candidate for
the Senate.
PUTS QUESTION TO PERKINS
These were the conditions when the campaign
opened. The declaration Of principles as fought
over in the campaign was made at the debate 20
which supporters Of Mr. Perkins challenged Gov
ernor Cumnins at Spirit Lake. April IA At
this remarkable occasion, when members OF the
same party and candidates for the highest Office
IN the state met for the first time In the history
OF this or any other Western state to take oppo-
site positions as 20 what Republicanisrn should
mean, Governor Cummins asked Mr.. Perkins
two questions. In effect, one was 'FVvill YOU
promise a statewide primary lav?'' and ''Is it
not true that you supported by every pOliti-
cal railroad in Iowa?" The first MIR Perkins (iId
not answer; 20 the second ne said he was not
responsible for Governor Cumrnins'S enemies
For himself Mr.. Perkins charged Cummins with
havfpzr been a railroad attorney and represent
ing railroad interests before he became Cover
nor, with having deserted the party when BOies
was elected Governor OF Iowa. with opposing the
interests OF 1owa's farmers in advocating reci-
prOcity with Canada, and with insincerfty in
his support OF the Presidents railroad rate
policy.
Though Mr. Perkins later In the campaign in
iected the tariff into his arguments. calling
Cummins a tariff ripper" that has been only an
incidental issue. Cumn1lns'S supporters have
accused every railroad In Iowa OF uniting against
Cumnins and spending almost 100000 to defeat
him. Mr.. Perkins and his followers charged
Cummins with being Democrat and getting the
votes OF Democrats. Underlying the whole con-
test was the old question OF whether Blythe OF
Cummins should rule IN Iowa Cummins put it,
"Shal the railroads run Iowa or their own bust
ness?'' To this Mr.. Perkins replied. HAS iowa
but one man fit for office? And shall that man be
allowed 20 keep himself In Office by an organiza-
ton Of hts own officials and by counting Demo-
Gratis as RepubliCans7'
Thus the bitter struggle went on through an
the county conventions from March 20 July IA.
And even then, though Cummins claimed for
himself majority Of az least 120 out Of 1,64O
delegates. Mr.. Perkins declared the contest was
not over.
for the first time in its history and two Repub-
Mcan candidates go before the people will de-
pend upon the course 20 be followed by the Per-
Eins supporters. Cummins stands on the Iowa
rule Of allowing the uncontested delegates OF
whom he had an undisputed majority when the
last county convention was held, 20 decide \
all contests OF the eight contests ~ cOnntI,
delegations all but three. Cummins claims are \
fakes. Perkins says Cummins would be far be-
hind had he not counted Democratic votes. Two
weeks before the convention Perkins announced |
an intention OF cOntesting $50 Of Cummins's 4
delegates and, II this Is done, IL would put Cum
MINIS In the minority and nominate Perkins. /
But If 1t IS done there will be a split Curnins |
will go before the people a candidate for Gov
ernor whatever the convention does.
The precariOuS condition of Senator AI1ison's \
health is responsible for the bitterness OF the |
opposition 20 Cummins. The Blythe and Perkins 4
interest are anxious 20 have Cunmins run as an \
irregular, IL az all. that they may thereby dis
parage him in his contest for the Senate. Cum
minis will not give up because he wants that X
primary law. And If he is Governor, Iowa will \
with little question, be represented I'm the next
national convention by a delegation standing \
FOR tariff revision and regulation OF corporations