Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-04-11
HERROITT OUT FOR GOVERNOR.

tenant Governor John Herriott for the
republican nomination for governor OF
Iowa was announced by the Stuart
Herald, his home paper. Mr.. Herriott
is well known in the southern part of
the state, and will no doubt be Loyalty
supported in his section, although it
is believed that the issues of the cam
paign will be fought out between
Gov. Cummins and Hon. Geo. D..
Perkins and that the nomination will
be given to either one or the other of
| them.
| In announcing his candidacy Mr.
Herriott makes the following state
ment:
To the Republicans of Iowa:
In entering the field as a candidate
for the party's nomination for COVER
nor / wish to indicate my attitude
towards public questions in which the
voters are interested. / have no other
political creed than that subscribed to
by every loyal republican in Iowa. l
believe thoroughly in the wisdom of
our protective tariff, in sound money,
in reasonable and just control of rail
ways, in honesty and efficiency in the
enforcement of laws, and economy in
the administration of the public
service. All sections, all interests,
all persons are entitled to equal pro-
lection under the law, and if / am
called to the Office of governor / shall
give all equal and careful considera-
tion.
There is no need for me to explain
my views, for have expressed them
in public and at various times, and
he who runs may read and understand.
Our protective tariff, while subject
to criticism in many details, should
not in my Judgment be radically
changed. 1t is our historic policy,
firmly rooted in the business and affec-
tions of the people. Any serious at
tempt TO secure sweeping changes in
the schedule would insure an immedi-
ate halt in business, panics and bank
failures, shrinkage in values and
prices. and widespread depression in
agriculture and manufactures. We
played shuttlecock and battledore with
tariff under President Cleveland with
disastrous results. i am decidedly of
the opinion that President Roosevelt's
policy of letting the traiff alone is the
best course to pursue.
There is no real difference of opin-
ion among patriotic republicans re-
garding the necessity for effective aud
reasonable control of railroad traffic
rates. The people of Iowa, like all
Americans, will not tolerate favorit-
isms or oppressive traffic rates on their
great highways. On the other hand,
they do not desire in any reform to do
injury to the vigor of our railroads.
The efficiency of our common carriers
is essential to our welfare. Moreover,
our people shrink from the dangers
of government ownership and the pit
falls of socialism. The interest of
carriers, shippers and the public in all
sections, in all industries throughout
the vast stretches of our country must
all be considered and brought to a
just balance. Equity between carrier
and shipper can and must be realized.
believe that our congressional dele
CATION under the leadership of Con-
gressman Hepburn and Senator Dolli-
yer and Allison is Loyalty seeking to
secure the reform the country needs
and that President Roosevelt urges
and endorses.
With reference to those matters in
which a governor should be most in
! terested, namely, state affairs, my
record as state treasurer and as lieu
tenant governor may give you assur-
ance as to my course if nominated and
elected. 1t has been, think, eharac-
terized by performances rather than
by promises. 1t can be neither amend
ed nor forgotten; and / would not
charge it if / could. There was a
time when / felt myself alone in car
ring out policy of the just and
equitable taxation of railroads, but
the people signified their approval
and all now gather around that stan
dard and stand ON the same platform.
The control of party primaries is
now strongly urged. Sharp debate
disturbs the party. Various bills were
defeated in the last general assembly.
Our primaries, like our elections,
should be guarded against corruption,
lperversion of violence. The increase
of urban population makes some regu-
lation desirable. But if the reforms
proposed entail extensive machinery
and large expense the results will not
be beneficial. Active party service
and intelligent voting cannot be Sc
cured by elaborate electoral machinery
that confuses men or burdens candi-
dates by its excessive cost of operation.
However, thus safeguarded, primary
reform is desirable. The matter has
been referred to the people for an ex-
preston Of their opinion to be regis
tered through their chosen representa-
tives which will assemble next year
to carry out their will. While the
governor primarily has nothing to
do with this matter. having no right
to cast a vote in the assembly,
should feel bound by the declared
wish of the people.
AS a republican, and not as a re.
preventative of any faction or fac tions
III present myself as a candidate fo1
your nomination to the high Office of
governor. believe that my conduct
as public servant heretofore is ample
warrant for your confidence. NY knowl
views and methods of dealing with
problems that come before a public
officer, believe, meet with the
approval of the rank and file of the
common people of the state. If called
to the exalted position shall endeavol
to treat all men, all interests and all
institutions fairly, honestly and justly
to the end of reuniting the party and
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