The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-02-15

the success of his principles his candi-
dacy is necessary. In the same way
that we accord honesty of purpose to
MIR. Perkins we must accord it to
Gov. Cumlnins. He has been siren
uous advocate of genuine and much
needed reforms. He has not perhaps
the philosophical mind of his opponent
and this may at times lead him to see
but one side of question, but that
very fact has made him a better
fighter. His is the strongest person
ality Iowa has known, he is to Iowa
what Blaine was to the Nation, the
best beloved and the most heartily
hated. We have known Mr.. Cum
minis through series of years, we
have disagreed with him at times, and
again we have heartily Endorsed his
views, but in all this we have never
found reason to believe that he was
not sincere or that he was not actuated
by high motives.
Governor Cummins stands for rail-
road rate regulation. In this he is not
unique. Mr.. Perkins has proclaimed
his stand as being unalterably for the
Presidents policy, and every member
of Iowa's congressional delegation has
voted for it. There may be difference
of opinion as to the sincerity of any
and all of the gentlemen, but in their
public acts and utterances there is but
small divergence.
Mr.. Cummins stands for tariff re-
vision and despite the RELOCATION of
that question to give fright of way"
to the railroad bill, we believe that
the desire for proper revision along
distinctly protective lines, neither has,
nor should, die out among the people.
Mr.. Cummins stands for state wide
primary law, and although we must
confess that the Grossly bill in its
present form appears cumbersome and
inadequate to prevent the evils it
hopes to eliminate, still we strongly
favor the principle and it is our sin
cere hope that some effective and suit
able bill may be passed at this ses-
sion of the legislature.
Despite all the talk Of principles
and issues however, the real contest is
between the old machine Of which Mr..
j. w. Blythe is the acknowledged
leader, and the new machine of which
Mr.. Cummins is the head. We use
the word machine without prejudice
in either case, organization is as nee
essary in politics as in business and
the reform movement that fails to
build up its machine, will also fail to
effect its reform.
The old machine has record that
is not all bad by any means. 1t has
given the state fair laws in the main.
+. There has been less uf public scandal
in this state than in almost any other
state in the union. 1t has brought to
the front many of the greatest men
Iowa has produced. Under the ole
regime Iowa has prospered, has re-
manned loyalty republican and has beer
better governed than the majority Of
the states.
The old machine did not give US GU,
present railroad legislation, that was
forced by Gov. Larrabee, ably assisted
by Mr.. Perkins and many others. Thu
old machine is responsible for Mer
riam and Mcfarland and others of tn
same ilk, but with the same duration
of power the new machine woul
5 doubtless have made as many mis-
takes. When looked at IN this wa
f the struggle becomes not one betwee
Cummins and Perkins, personally bu
4 between the old and the new regime
of Iowa republicanism. Allison, Dol
5 liver, Shaw, Hepburn, Lacey, HUI
q Perkins, all these are stalwart repul
6 lican leaders, men who would rot len
! themselves simply as tools of corporal
s greed and all these men are to /
= found, as we take it, in the stand pa
y column. On the other hand we fir
ri Cummins, Funk. Eaton, and a host {
others. who if less we'll known a.
II perhaps men of as great ability and {
IT. as great fighting powers as any.
y The Review regrets that there a
id pears to be no common ground {
O which all the republicans of Iowa C;
or stand, but the situation must be a
cepted not as we would like to ha'
~ it. but as it is. 1t is our earnest ho]
H. however, that in the heat Of battle
an will not be forgotten that we are q
nc republicans, that what we may say
,e each other will react on ourselves
at the long run, that we must live
be neighbors and co-workers for MAJ
o. years to come, and that victory m;
at be too dearly bought if the price pa
nd is rancor and ill-will. The Revit
he has great faith in the primary idea,
ph faith great enough to be prepared
e leave the Governorship.. problem to t
or voters of the party, and to belle