Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-09-12

tribute largely to that end, and if i
be true, as In some instances it un
doubtedly is, that the government i.
slipping away from the great ranl
and file, SO to speak, of our citizens
portion OF the responsibility mus
rest upon The toilers of the country
Inc 'reatest danger to republican in
stitutions is not the activity of the
" but the inactivity. There is nc
patent process by which the rights
OF class OF citizens of this coun
try nay be perpetually maintained
but The '.tmost vigilance must ever
be Sercised. Well does the procla.
nation ;, The working people
cannot e to maintain their rights
or ,sressive position in the va
rylng ..naSes of modern society un-
less en- organize and exercise ali
those iur ions, which as workmen
and CT ms, it is their privilege and
duty TO exc. :ise." No man who pre-
sents himself for office in the gift
of the pc ple should take exception
to tie closest scrutiny of his posi-
ton on matters of interest to such a
large .nber of our people. | be-
speak for myself and those with me
on our ticket the careful and fair
minded Investigation in the same
spirit as mat vc' ed in the procla-
nation, OF tn. Jstions we have
severally ta.- a,ong these important
lines. Time torbids, or l should like
to take up in detail the several
planks of our platform, and present
some OF the reasons that believe
should commend them to all of you.
Let this kept constantly in mind,
that with complete control of the late
republican convention, that if my dis
tinguished opponent claims he has
monopoly on the reforms needed in
this state, for some reason he did
not deem 4. necessary or advisable
to insert them in his platform. On
the other hand, may / be as con.
stantly remembered that We present
for the voters consideration many
demands for state legislation, any
one of which will contribute largely
to the best interests of our state.
For months the public press of .--.s
country has been filled with the eX-
posture of corruption and graft in
high places. Unied States senators
have been convicted in the courts of
our land of serious crimes. Cities
and states, long controlled and domi-
mated by corrupt political bosses, have
awakened 70 their true situation. An
aroused public conscience has as
serted itself, and political rings and
machines have been broken and tram.
pied under loot. Great insurance
companies, engaged in performing for
the people great trust; captains OF
industry, hitherto considered the soul
of business honor and integrity, have
been found guilty before the bar OF
public opinion of violating the obi
cations of their trust and selling
their honor. Contributions of large
70 campaign funds have
been made. and In many cases these
same corporations have been sue
cessful in t..eir attempts to control
the policie of this state and dictate
legislation and the exercise of exec
utive power All these things and
many others too numerous to men
ton, have aroused the American con-
science as it has not been aroused
in generation. The reformer is
received with acclaim and his name
honored wherever he goes. God for
bid that by word or deed should
in the least stand in the way of this
and upward marc... In pri-
vate life and in pnplic, | lave en-
deavored to contribute my mite to-
ward the era that now seems to Ne
upon us, and today stand on these
questions where | have always Stood.
In the true .hterest of reform, it al.
ways becomes necessary that the
people OF any community study care
fully and investigate closely those
who assume to lead in the reform.
No one honors more than l, the
brave, courageous soul, who, in re-
forms incipiency, when criticism
and SANDER often attach to its pro.
moter, is willing to brave all these
and more, and strike squarely from
the shoulder The evil that confronts
him. But there always comes day
when the reform, if true one, and
the reformer become popular, and
then it is the danger comes. The
he with personal am
bition we'll developed, seeing that
any given movement has grown to
popularity, becomes suddenly con-
verified and launches his GRAZ, hop
ing that on the wave he may be car
ried to places of profit and honor.
1t is often well for the people to bear
in mind the old cry of him VINO
shouts stop thief" He who
with the utmost eloquence can pro-
claim his opposition to corporate die
tation, may not always be its strong
est enemy.
That there Is reform needed In state
politics in Iowa none believes more
than l, nor is there one willing to do
more than to bring 1t about. With
me it is no new belief Honest John
Heriott realized its need in 1900 and
ponent was being assisted to mis- first
nomination by the bad company"
which the Governor says Mr.. Per
kins got in, and described by Mr..
Shaw at Newton. The Governor
ought to be able to fittingly describe
the company If prior long association
be of assistance.
Neither my distinguished opponent
nor myself If elected governor will
have aught to do officially with ma
tional policies of government. So
far as we are concerned personany
the thing that is of interest to the
people of this state is the character
of state administration nat will en-
sue from our election. The people
of Iowa desire, and lave right to
demand an administration clean in
every particular, and not given to
farthering the political ambition OF
any man; to an administration that
shall be as economical as possible,
consistent with the just needs of our
state; to governor who may be
found at the state house when de-
sirous of being seen by those having
business with that office; to an ad-
ministration that shall do all possible