Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-22
REPLY GIVEN
Governor Issues His Statement
in Answer to the Gilliland
Resolution
LEGISLATOR is NOT ACCUSED.
Charge That the Railroad Is Spending
Money in Effort to Defeat the Pri-
mary Law Is NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
Their Methods eExpIained-Text of
the Statement.
Special to Times-Republicans

| Special to Times Republican,
Des Moines, March Ex-Governor
| Cummins, replying to the Gilliland
resolution asking him for specific i'm
| formation on which he bases charges
as to the work of the railroad lobby
against the primary election bill, denies
that he accused members of the legis-
lature with having been corrupted by
the lobby. The governor insists, how
ever on his charge that the railroad
lobby has been working against the
primary bill, The statement says:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives of the Thirtytirst General
| sembly-Gentlemen l have the
honor to acknowledge the receipt of a
| resolution adopted by the senate Feb.
| %. 1906, and concurred in by the house
March 10, 1906, making certain inqui-
ries touching the efforts Of the railway
Hobby to defeat the proposed primary
/ election law.
Recognizing that the information
have upon the subject to which the reso-
lution relates is already in the possess
| sion of every member of the general
assembly, and also in the possession
of every intelligent observer of public
affairs. I nevertheless respond to the
questions propounded in the resolu-
| ton.
His Charges.
On the goth day of February, 1905, ]
addressed the republican voters of
! Iowa in a communication announcing
| nv candidacy for denomination to the
! office of governor. Inasmuch as the
somewhat disjointed extracts from this
communication that are quoted in the
preamble to the resolution fail to con-
vey an intelligent conception of my
statements, / beg to quote that part
| of the communicat ton which refers to
the railway lobby and the primary
election measure:
"While giving to the corporations the
most complete protection of their legit-
innate enterprises, We must eXpel them
| from politics.. We have but to look
over the history of the past few years
| to know how determined they are. The
struggle now going on. in Washington
shows how we'll they prepare them
selves to resist the just demands Of
| the people. The history of the last
four years in Iowa is crowded with evil
dence of the determination of the rail-
| way companies not only to manage
| their railroads, but to manage the state
as we'll. At this mci Vt they are OPP
posing with might and main the prop
Iosition to abolish free passes and free
transportation. They ought to well
come an enactment that will require
those who ride upon their trains to
pay for the service, but on the con-
trary, they are employing every known
device to kill or cripple the pending
measure. Why? leave you to an
swer the question.
"There is pending before the general
assembly measure which. If it be-
comes law, will permit the voters to
make their nominations by direct vote,
instead of thru caucuses and conven-
tions. 1t does not touch the operation
of railways 1t does not affect their rev.
enues and they have no legitimate in
terest in it, Nevertheless, they are eX-
erting every ounce of strength which
money and organization can create to
defeat the primary election bill. They
are hunting it to it's death with per-
sistency and vindictiveness L have
never seen surpassed A moments re-
Election will show you why the allied
corporate power has decided that there
shall be no primary elections. They
know that If the bill passes it will do
more to lessen their influence in poll
tics than any other measure now pro-
posed for the public good, Let no man
be deluded by the specious suggestion
that primary elections will increase
the power Of railways. If so, these
masters Of intrigue who are now en-
deavoring to thwart the will of an
overwhelming proportion of the voters
of Iowa would not be spending the win
ter in Des Moines.
No Money in Bribery.
Concerning these statements, I am
asked in the resolution:
"First-How money is being used by
the railroads to defeat the. primary
bill.''
An answer to the question involves
description Of the manner in which
railway lobby ordinarily does its
work. The railroad lobby, here and
elsewhere, has been in operation so
long that most men understand fair
ly we'll how 1t furthers or retards pro-
posed legislation. 1t expends money
great sums OF money-but it rarely
brides. It ingratiates itself into the
confidence OF men thru the respect
ability, the capacity and the diplomacy
of its representatives. 1t surveys
situation and, with keen perception
understands how to aid men in attain
ing an ambition or accomplishing a
much desired and oftentimes worthy
object. 1t appreciates the force Of pub
lie sentiment, and knows how to sub
stitute fictitious for real opinions. 1t
effects combinations so that 1T be-
comes helpful in defeating or passing
measures thru legislative bodies. 1t in
cites activity among the constituents
of member to the end that their de-
sires. being frequently and emphat-
ically expressed, may be accepted as
the public will. IT manipulates bust
ness relations so that the hope of gain
or the fear Of loss is made to.play an
important part in the pressure which