Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-08-01
The Struggle at Des Moines Today.

The Struggle at Des Moines Today.
The struggle between the repub-
lican factions at Des Moines today
will probably stand for years as a
milestone in the political history Of
the state. This could not be true
if the present contest was simply
struggle between number Of men
for certain political positions. In
that event it would make little DIFF
ference who won or who lost, the
furry would soon blow over and
normal conditions would quickly
reappear. But the question at
issue rises far above the heads Of
the several candidates, and its de-
termination is fraught with far
reaching consequences.
Shall corporations continue as
the dominant power in Iowa repub-
licanism? That is the question
which is 80 squarely before the
republican convention at Des Moines
today, that the answer cannot be
etaded.
The question can be worded in
different ways:
Shall this state be a man governed
or property-governed common
wealth?
Which shall rule, natural persons
or artificial persons?
Shall God-made men, or men
made corporations dominate in pub
lie affairs?
These questions would seem tc
admit of but one correct answer
the answer which has been contend.
ed for by real democrats for severa
years past; yet so great is the power
of the artificial persons, the colossal
giants created by statute, that the
answer of the Des Moines conven
ton will probably be drowned il
confusion.
l
The differences between the con
tending republican factions at De-
Moines are somewhat similar, ant
| quite as radical and irreconcilable
IS those which divided the demo
ratio party just before the out
break of the war Of the rebellion
When Samuels of Iowa moved
the substitution of the minority TO:
the majority report, Of the resolu
lions committee, in the democrat;,
national convention which was hell
1T Charleston in April 1860, h
represented the human side OF tn
great question then at issue. AM
t. the surprise and confusion Of til
slave holding forces. his motion pre-
vailed by small but substantial
majority. This was the openin,
scene Of the greatest Of modern
vars. The delegates from tn
slave holding states refused to sub
nit to the will of the majority ane
withdrew from the convention
They referred the question then a
issue to the arbitrament of tn
sword, and by the sword it wa
settled for all time.
In the convention today Cummins
stands for human rights, the sam,
IS Samuels did Sc years ago. Ant
Cummins like Samuels has the sup
port of a majority Of the delegate
elected by the people. The corpor
ltion forces appear just a
defiant and uncompromisingin low,
today as the old slave power in 1860
but no matter what is done or lef
andone by the Des Moines conven
ton no public disorder Of any con
sequence is possible.
Governor Cunmins will be re
nominated by majority of the dele
gates regularly elected, but this ma,
aot be accomplished in the regula
way. The corporations have com
plete control of the republican or
ganization, and may favor rope
'ition Of the Sampson act in prefer
ence to an unconditional surrender
John D. Rock filler may be tin
'mhest man in u world, but wher
ne dies he will have TO tax, Iii
'h'nces with tho poores. man in III
| world.