davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
Why Was Porter Silent?

Mr.. Porter in his various speeches in
the state has stated that IL Governor
Cummins deserves credit for the veto of
the Molsberry bill, he. Porter, also de-
serves credit because he voted against
the Molsberry bill in the first place. The
fact Is that only five or six senators
voted against the bill and Mr.. Porter does
deserve credit for having voted against
1t, but he would have deserved more cred
II IL he had been able to and would
have pointed out upon the floor Of the
senate, the essential evil. OF the bill, for
IL he had done that. the bill never would
have got beyond the senate. 1t only re-
quired that Governor Cummins point out
the wlckedness Of the bill for almost
every senator to be against 1t.
Mr.. Porter also takes credit to him
self for having voted against the Hub
bard bill. He has been quoted as saying
that Governor Cummins signed this bill
without a protest" and Is intimating that
1t was tho Hubbard bill and not the Mols-
berry bill that the railroads desired. Mr..
Porter knows that Governor Cummins did
protest against the Hubbard bill as 1t
was introduced and that the Hubbard
bill was completely emasculatetd before
It was put to final vote in the senate
and he knows perfectly we'll that the rail-
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25

roads lost interest in the Hubbard bill
as soon as the changes were made in 1t
Cummins Relates an Incident.
In an address In which he referred to
the veto of the Molsberry bill. Governor
Cummins has said:
/ was first inaugurated In January,
1892. Inside OF month law passed
the general assembly which was calcu-
lated to stain the fair name of the COM
monwealth of Iowa. 1t was known as
the Molsberry bill 1t was intended to
New JerseyiZe Iowa, and to transfer the
shame of that state to our own. / be-
home of the railroad trust. 1t permitted
railroads to issue unlimited evidences of
debt and the railway men asked me to
sign the bill
I knew then that I was at the parting
of the ways and that l must choose
whether should take the easy path,
cheered by their assistance. or the thorny
path accompanied by my conscience
alone
A personal friend in the employ Of a
railroad. whose position / had been in.
strumental in securing for him, called
on me at my home and said the bill
meant a great deal for his rsllroau.
said II was a vicious measure. He said
me to sign it. l said:
do you think | ought to sign this htn
to help the railway company. though !
know 1t is vicious and harmful meas
ure?"
THAT is just what I mean" he said
/ said: This is a large room. but It is
not big enough to hold US both, and by
Never since then has there been a day
that the railroads have not pursued me
with every genius they could employ, and
the railroads are always In poitics-
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25

tory of tho state, cannot resist the be-
lief that the real application Of the pro-
posed amendment would not enable the
two or three railway companies to which
critics for their own profit and for the
advantage of the people, but that its
only substantial effect would be to over
come real or imaginary difficulties grow
the Chicago. Burlington Quincy Rail-
way company by the Great Northern and
Northern Pacific Railroad company.
Prior to October last, the Chicago,
owned and operated vast system of
railway lines, q part Of which was in
the state Of Iowa. The company itself
was organized under the laws of the state
or Illinois. and under such laws 1t had
Quilt up one of the largest az well as
ono of the best railway systems IN the
United States. 1t had, In large measure,
constructed double track from Chicago
70 the Missouri river. For many years
1t had been in the enjoyment Of. all the
privileges which a foreign corporation
exercises In our state, and in so far as
the mere operation Of It's lines of rail
way Is concerned, It is difficult to per-
ceive any reason that would lead It's
managers to abandon the old corpora ton
and organize a new one In our state.
Nevertheless. 1t did 30, and on the 18th
day OF October. 1901. there was filed in
the recorders office Of Des Moines coun-
ty articles of incorporation of the Chi
cago Burlington & Quincy railway, with
an authorized capital stock of 500 900,
and the right to begin business when
10000 OF the capital stock had been sub
scrlbed. 1t took to itself practically all
The powers which can be acquired by
q railway corporation in this state and
especially the power to purchase and be-
come the owner OF the system OF railway
lines which had heretofore been owned
and operated by the Chicago, Burlington
Il Quincy Railroad company.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
IOWA A GROWING STATE;
KEEPING PACE WITH THE TIMES
ANALYSIS THE QUESTION OF STATE EXPENDITURES AND
PREPARATIONS.
instltutons-o~ Policies

The expenditures of the United States
President Roosevelt have increased many
fold. The nation is expanding. 1t is
rich. Its greatness Is recognized. A Re-
publican congress and Republican pres
ident but do that which is necessary in
keeping pace with the times.
The expenditures OF every state OF the
union have been increasing. just as there
is increase in the expenditures of every
county and every city. In like manner
the expenses OF every prosperous busi-
ness man, or merchant, or farmer. are
on the increase.
The state of Iowa is a bigger and q
better state today than 1t ever was be-
fore. 1t cares for the thousands of de-
pendents and unfortunates better than
ever before. 1t does more for the Veter-
ans OF the war in their old age and weak
ness than 1t ever did before. 1t Is doing
more for agriculture, for manufactures,
for all Industries. than ever before
Above all else 1t is doing better for edu-
caion than any other state sof the union
OF equal size.
Some criticism has been made OF the
fact that the state OF Iowa is thus ex-
banding in every direction. The expendl-
lures have been denounced by the demo-
cratic candidate for governor as extrav-
agance and wastefulness. In doing SO
some figures are given which purport to
show how greatly have the actual ex-
penses of the state increased.
These statistics are incorrect. and the
conclusions which 1t Is expected the peo-
pie will draw from them are wholly
false.
In the first place tho figures which
he gives take no account Of the fact that
the biennial fiscal periods do not corre-
spond to the calendar periods or those
which relate to different administrations.
But Mr.. Porter undertakes to lead his
hearers to believe that Gov. Cummins Is
wholly responsible for the millions which
are being spent under appropriations OF
the legislatures. Every intelligent person
knows that this is not true. The expen-
dftures which a governor may directly
control are few indeed.
But even granting that Governor Cum
minis personally is responsible for the In
creased expenditures of the state, or that
the executive council has full control
which 1t has not, the statement and ar
gument Of Mr.. Porter are absolutely dis
honest in that he gives only one side OF
the ledger and does not explain wherein
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25

directly under control Of tho governor.
Here are the facts: The expense Of the
governors office IL. In fact. to some ex-
tent, under his direct control. and also
the expense under the custodian Of pub
lie buildings. who is appointed by the
governor. For the period ended July ].
1897. the expense of these two depart
merfts was $50, 70e.43. For the period ended
July /, 1906 the expense of these same de-
partments was $S414o7s. Wherein In the
extravaganza
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
Motive for the merger.

It is not difficult, II inquiry be made, to
md motive for the organization of this
company. The old company which had
been so prosperous could not, either by
reason of the laws Of Illinois or by rea-
son OF what had occurred In the purchase
OF It's stocks by the two Minnesota COM
panies, create a volume of indebtedness
which those who are Interested wished to
create. 1t was therefore necessary to
add another corporation, and Iowa was
chosen for its domicile. 1t is a matter OF
common knowledge that the new COM
pany, with an Insignificant amount Of
capital stock actually taken, had leased
the entire system OF the old company.
1t must be true that 1t Is without sub
stanial asses save the lease. and with
the rental attached to the lease its value,
If anything, is purely speculative. In this
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
emily adopted by the republican state

Gently adopted by the republican state
convention which is probably the best
that could have been agreed upon under
the circumstances, there is little room for
doubt that the whole ticket nominated by
that convention will easily be elected, as
will also your county ticket.
But to accomplish that you must go to
the polls. Whatever is worth achieving is
worth preserving. Go to the polls and
save what you have achieved, and re-
member, under the new plan of voting,
you must put q cross in the square be-
fore the name of every candidate you
wish to vote for
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25

sions. It is a matter Of profit to Iowa
and of advantage to the state to have
these companies organized under Iowa
law and with the restriction that the lines
acquired are mot parallel or competing"
sions.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25

situation 1t seeks to incur indebtedness
without limit. 1t Is one thing to grant
TO railway companies the right to borrow
the money needed to aid in the construc-
ton and equipment of their lines of rail-
way: 1t Is quite another thing to author
lie class OF railway companies to incur
unlimited obligations without respect to
the amount OF their stock or the worth
or their property. / cannot bring myself
TO believe that this species of special leg
islation is consistent with public welfare
or necessary to the legitimate develop
ment of railway property; on the CON-
trary, II Is my firm belief that corpor-
ate power to issue stocks and to incur
Indebtedness, needs regulation rather
than expansion.
The Hubbard bill as amended was
passed and became a part OF the law
of Iowa That law provides:
That any railroad corporation organized
under the laws OF Iowa and owning and
operating a railroad therein, may lease,
purchase or otherwise acquire, own, con-
troll or operate any connecting extension
OF this said railroad. not parallel or COM
peting Herewith, in any other state or
territory of the United States, and to
that end may purchase and control the
stock. bonds or securities OF any such ex-
tension II not contrary to the laws of
such other state or territory.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
NEAR TO THEIR HEARTS.

Governor Cummins: The principle
that the government OF the United
States and the government or the
state shall be conducted by it's men.
and not by its corporations. is nearer
to the hearts of the people than any
article Of partisan faith"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
SETTLE IT NOW.

Governor Larrabee: 'Other Ques-
lions should be subordinated to this.
until 1t La settled whether we are
to have a government of the people.
by the people and for the people. or
a government of the corporations, By
the corporations and for the corpora-
tions."
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
FARMERS AND THEIR FRIEND

Secretary James Wilson: The
farmers Of Iowa owe TO Governor
Climn'ins 6 day in harness. When
uicy appointed committee Of their
numbers-'Father Clarkson. Wallace.
Coffin, Given, ana others-to defend
thom against the barbed wire monop-
oily. mfr. Cummins was retained as
their advocate. They won the fight.
and have 10 thank their attorney for
much OF II,
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
NOT WANTED,

Governor Cummins: I'm what 1
shall have to say. there shall be
neither hope not expectation OF bring
Ing to the support OF the republican
party what is ordinarily known as
corporate influence"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
Destroyed Effect Of Bill.

The MoIesberry bill was intended to
permit the issuing of bonds to an unlim-
tied amount by the Iowa railroad corpor-
alton. The Hubbard bill was intended to
permit the use Of the money realized
upon these bonds In the purchase OF rail-
roads elsewhere than In Iowa The
phrase which was put into the Hubbard
bill at the suggestion OF Governor Cum
minis was NOT PARALLEL OR COM
PETING THEREWITH," which phrase
was not IN the bill as prepared by the
railroad lobby and when that clause
went into the bill in the senate the rail-
road lobby ceased to take further interest
In the measure. That clause completely
destroyed the secret purpose for which
the bin had been introduced. There mas
never been a doubt In the mind OF any
one familiar with the fact that Senator
Hubbard did not fully appreciate the I'M
portanCe or character OF this bill when
he introduced II in the legislature, and
as soon as he discovered that II was
da vigorous measure he Joined heartily
with the governor In rendering II harm
less. The bill has sometimes been re-
ferred to as a merger bill, but the fact
that no merger has ever been attempted
or accomplished under the law indicates
that in the form that It was finally
passed II had no force with relation to
mergers As the federal courts had Just
/
| was planned to merge are in fact par
| aIel and competing" the bill with that
| added clause was OF no use.
No Mergers Under Iowa Law.
1t has been represented by the demo-
! Gratis and their allies In this campaign
| in Iowa this year that as a matter OF
| fact under the Iowa law, as amended by
| the Hubbard bill, there have been rail-
road mergers effected; that, In short, n
| was under this bill that the Rock Island
| railroad increased its capital stock and
| organized n new company and purchased
certain railroad properties In Texas and
| Oklahoma. The statement is absolutely
false The Rock Island did increase II,
capital stock and form a new conpany
in Iowa. under the Iowa laws, and pajf
into the state fees aggregating about SIS
900 for this privilege. but such acton wa!
not taken under the Hubbard bill. TIL,
filings were under the old law and Nigh
have been made ten years ago as wei
| as four years ago. There was nothinI
In the old law to prevent compan.
from making an increase in capital stool
| and there was never at any time any limi
| on the size of corporation under tn
Iowa law. The Rock Island railroa
would have saved itself about So, 900 II
had organized Its new company a yea
Il before It did This Is the only differenc
/ between the new and the old law As
matter of fact the Rock Island compan
has never been engaged In the merge
/ business but has purchased In distar
] states lines with which to make sxter
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
Changed hubbard Bill.

IN he meantime. the 1rst bill intro
duCed the Hubbard BILL was pending be-
Fore "A senate committee Its author had
hot realized that this Dill. too. was u
bart of the programme OF the railroad
hobby. 10 make the most remarkable
change in Iowa laws relating 20 railroads
sver known. This bill was taken TO Gov
hrnT CJImmins 10y interested persons,
hhO asked the governor II he would con-
sent 10 us becoming Il law 81 Iowa. Gov
brnor Cumming indicated that ne would
heVer approve such bill but he did
,State that ~ the bill WIS modified in GER
pin important particulars hs would per-
hnt Il 20 become \ law A few days later
h che senate there VAS added to this
7blu IA clause which absolutely destroyed
I ts character In relation TO railroad mer-
i erH and rendered II harmless In this
form the Dll passed che legislature and
was signed by the governor.
The two bills were in fact two i'm
bOrtant parts Of the programme OF the
railroad lobby at that time In brief the
5Iolesherry lin provided that any rail-
koad incorporated under iowa laws might
issue bonds 20 any desired amount with
but reference 20 the amount OF capital
stock outstanding. Ths Iowa law now
prohibits the issuance OF bonds IN excess
bf twO-thlrds the capital stock unless
IhG total issue OF bonds % less than $16-
200 per mile, The Moiesberry bill removed
thiS limitation. 40 that an Iowa railroad
corporation might borrow any sum OF
bOncY for any purpose whatever with
5ut restraint Of law The Hubbard bill
~ introduced provided that an Iowa rail-
tuad corporation might buy or control
any railroad in any other state OF the
anton
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
IOWA AND RAILROAD MERGERS;
WHY RAILROADS ARE IN POLITICS
TauE AND COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE EFFORT JERs
IOWA FOR THE CORPORATIONS.

Without
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25

Tho tnmtoay Of tho efrort which was
made 6omc years ago by tho representa-
hives OF Tho Wall street speculators and
promoters 20 secure Liquidation In Iowa.
Under which they could consummate their
CLANS for the oonsolidatdonoof American
tRilroads, In an essential part OF the story
if the present campaign In Iowa
WpOn che opening Of tho twenty-ninth
General assembly OF Iowa In January,
lRtn, Governor Cummins was tnaugurated.
End in mis- inaugural address no tried to
tnake 1t worry plain that his policy would
ke that Of the square deal for all people.
Among other things, he said:
Corporations have and ought to have,
many privileges, but among them In not
Inc privilege 10 sit in political conventions
tT occupy seats In legislative chambers.
Corporations. as such. should be v1gor-
kleiS excluded in every form from par
dcipGtton IN political affairs Hero AT
least the I1oh and the poor. as indiv1d-
pals. lthould meet upon a plane OF aoeo-
'ut9 equality.
Then turning 10 ono ~ the features OF
legislative assemblies With which Iowa
bias been 100 much infested. no said:
Tas corporation lobbyist has. regret
% say. become one OF tho features OF
legislative assemblies; no has become
thenrh In tho nostrils OF decent com
lnunity, and he ought to be driven WIN
the lash Of acorn. pursued by tho pom
sysry Official and from the precincts Of
Iv+rE legislative body in The country
The lobby at Work
This was fRir warning 20 Tho corpora
Hon IuhbytstA but they were sven then
tStep4rtnR 10 secure concessions from tho
iowa legislature through Introduction or
Two JilIs Intended 10 no ror che especial
beneft Of speculative railroad corpora
aons. which bills were backed solely by
ths tInsorupulous corporation lobby. the
first If these bills 10 DO introduced was
known as the Hubbard bill. and tho other
IN ths ldoIesberTy DILL. For Some reason
hS Iaolesberry hill was aiken up and
balSyed first Sn tho senate then quickly
PUSHED through tho house and sent TO
t7OVernor CNlmminB. There had not boon
4 word said in mo Legislature In opposi-
don 10 either one OF these bills, nor any
klltnH made public 10 Indicate that these
bins wnre OF special Significance. but the
Drained legal mind OF Governor cummins
SOrc down upon the Molesberry bill lying
apOn his table awaiting his signature and
ha 4Rw that behind this pill was pur-
pose, which. II made known to members
b. the legislature, would Gender II unsat-
tRfactory 70 great majority OF the Iowa
Legislators. Governor Cummins thWefore
krtO-d the bill, and An soon as hiB veto
bad been made public. tho legislators
almost with unanimity Joined in denun-
lyAttcn Of {he men who had induced them
by fraud and grOssest deception TO pass
tRlCh - hefaIiOus measure
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
Reasons for the Veto.

~ his veto OF he MOiesberry bill in
harch. 1907 Governor Cummins reviewed
~ some length the history of Iowa leg
4siatlon respecting me formation of rail-
road corporations, pointed out the fact
that whilo the MoIesberry bill purported
20 he measure 20 permit railroad com
panles 10 efrcct betterment OF their sys-
tens, 1t IN fact did nothing OF the sort.
Among other things, he said:
IN view Of these conditions, which are
well known. and are 4 part Of the his
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25
TWO Bills FOR One Purpose.

TWO I3lllS FOR One Purpose
q THESE two bills had become a part
pr the IOWA law. the famous Northern
BeruritieS merger which the federal
tourtS condemned and which President
Rooaevelt otIHwrd would have soon
tnado its dumiCtle IN iowa It will be re-
k9IIed that the Northern Securities COM
pany WAS organized under New Jersey
laws and acquired the Great Northern
hnd Northern Pacific railroads. and that
AbOut7this tinss the me financiers &C
CURED control Of the Burlington road. 1t
was found Impossible under the laws as
tHeY existed for the Northern Securities
'fohnpany 70 effect complete merger OF
t'k two Northern railroads and the Bur
fugton. IL the Holesherry and Hubbard
bins as they were introduced had become
the Iowa law. II would then have been
POSSIBLE for the merger TO have been eff
~fCGtcd, under the Burlington Railway
company. which had but recently been
organized In Iowa NJ / holding company.
fhc MolcSberry bill might have accom-
pIshed this purpose alone but the Hub
pard hill without Vhe MOiesberry bill also
SnS OF no consequence The two together
would have brought the ideal conditions
fcsired ny the speCuIatOrs. who were pro.
batting tHs most gigantic and most In,
.tatnoHs Failroad merger ever planned Il
Uhia country
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-07-09
GREAT STORM RACES
IN REGION OF DENVER
Floods of Water Sweep Away
Bridges and Car Tracks
One Life Lost.

DENVER, July S.-Cloudbursts and
lightning did considerable damage In
this section of the State today.
In Denver a wall OF water ten feet
high came down Dry creek. in the
western part of the city, carrying
away footbridges and damaging the
bridge of the Denver & Intermountain
railroad Two boys, 3 years old, were
nshing under the bridge and were res
cued with difficulty.
In Boulder a wall of water six feet
high came out of Sunshine canyon and
spread itself over Pearl street and
other streets In that city. A mile of
the Sunshine railroad was destroyed
and considerable damage was done In
the city
At Florence, late this afternoon. a
cloudburst in oak creek undermined a
big bridge at Rockvale. A heavy storm
destroyed telephone connection between
Florence and Pueblo.
Fay Powers. aged II, WAS killed by
lightning near Colorado Springs.
Carnegie library In this city was
struck by Il bolt during the storm,
but no other damage was reported.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-07-09
Sbaliy.

Sir Algernoon Coote OF Ireland has
been studying the universities oil Amer
lea
one day in New York teacher OF
Greek made mn eXtravagant statement
about the English universities ana Slr
Algcrnon Coote said:
THAT statement appears TO me TO
be rather shaky. 1t reminds me OF
statement that servant made last
month.
Il had In the drawing-room OF my
hotel a small piece OF statuary. the
servant cleaned the room one day
while | was out OF town and on my
return / found the statuette broken.
Calling the man. l said to him:
What do you know about this
broken statuette?'
Well sir. he replied. as | was
dustin the room. sir. I felt shock.
similar to the Frisco earthquake and
lookin' up / seen the statuette sway,
and before | could get to II Ii fell and
busted, sir.
IAN earthquake shock, err said |,
III investigate this business. III see
II any one else felt the shock. IL you
have spoken falsely it VIII go hard with
you
1.-The man unused, He looked fright
ened and sad.
"I lust been wondertn' SIR, he
said ~ there could be any possibility
of my having knocked it over with the
broomhandle. sir.