Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-24
sHAW,s "REPuRLlCANlsM.v


fRepubsicanismls last evening in "a
Des Moines opera house. He assail-
ed the state wide primary principle
took q shot at Cummins, praised Per-
kins, called progressive, republicans
populists, told a story or two. That
was about all. His speech may be
classified with his anti-primary let
ter.
One thing the secretary attempted
to make clear that the common voter
is scarcely to be trusted with the re-
sponsibility of making nominations.
He reiterated his assertion that few
possible candidates for state office are
known to per cent of the voters, and
us illustrative of the general ignor-
ance of the plain people of having re-
ceived lately letter addressed to Hon.
treasury. Another person had asked
after an old friend to be informed by
Secretary Shaw that the one inquired
for lis governor of your own state"
In 1897" the secretary pointed out,
"a man unknown to ninety-nine per
cent of the state was chosen. He was
not chosen by a faction, nor by an
interest, nor by the bosses. but by the
delegates after meeting him, talking
with each other and by process of
gradual elimination. Several of the
candidates withdrew after the dele
gates assembled. The successful can
didate was the first choice Of about
one sixth, but the second choice of at
least two thirds
The successful candidate was Leslie
NJ Shaw. His reference to his own
nomination is unfortunate. 1t has
been pretty decisively settled as to
how Shaw came by the nomination. He
was Hubbard's choice. Hubbard made
him. and judging from the free and
easy fashion in which the lamented
Judge called upon Shaw to parole
Shercliffe as quid pro quo for votes,
to keep Dave" Mercer in his seat in
congress, the judge understood why
he made him. When Leslie M. Shaw
argues for the delegate convention.
condemns the ignorance of the masses
and refers to his own first nomination
as evidence of the wisdom Of the
caucus and the unwisdom of the pri-
mary, he is certain to set people
thinking and remembering. They will
ask themselves whether it is wise to
allow such railroad representatives as
Blythe and Hubbard to make gov
errors and hold veto powers over the
of United States sena-
tors.
But is it true that Shaw was
unknown to ninety-nine per cent Of
the people when he received the nom
nation? And if he were how could he
be the second choice of two-thirds of
the delegates. Mr.. Shaw had not
lacked exploitation in the public press.
The state was familiar with every
public act of his life. Do less than 5
per cent of Iowa voters read the
Do less than 5 per
cent vote simply as they are told by
The bosses? And if the secretary is
correct in assuming the extent of such
public ignorance, what becomes of our
BOAST of Iowa literacy and horse
sense?
It is not true and Shaw knew it.
Brought up as he was, living his life
Is a money loaner in country town,
before Hubbard opened the gates of
Shaw knows the Iowa
Yoter is the peer Of any. Five years
Igo Shaw would not have said or be-
ieved anything of the kind. He has
mbibed the Washington atmosphere
# contempt for the country and be-
ief in the kingship of officialdom.
But Secretary Shaw is consistent in
arguing for the bosses. He would be
1ngrateful also were he to do other
wise.