Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-05-25
METHODS coNTRAsTED.

Minis lives in Des Moines and in the
precinct where Mr.. Blythe lives in
Burlington. In each a determined
fight has been made by the opponents
of the leaders. Contrasting the meth
DDS used by each is not without sug-
gestion at this time.
In Des Moines the vote was Ivy
secret ballot under the provisions OF
lures, Governor Cummins is mainly
not present during the balloting, no
attempt was made to embarrass the
opposition. the situation was can
vassed freely and without open mani
festation of feeling, and when the votes
were counted there was no question
of the correctness of the result,
everybody was satisfied that there
had been an honest expression of the
wishes of the republicans of the pre-
cinct. There was as much opportun-
ity for row in that precinct as in
any precinct in the state. But there
was no row. This is what Governor
Cummins has proposed for every pre-
cinct in Iowa.
Mr. Blythe did all in his power to
prevent the adoption for the state of
such a ballot as was had in Polk coun-
ty. 1t was defeated in the legisla-
ture. Mr.. Blythe refused to permit a
secret ballot in Burlington under the
old law, such as nearly every county
has found to be fair and necessary.
Mr. Blythe insisted on the old stand
UP caucus, and the voters of his pre-
cinct were compelled to pass thru
a doorway and vote openly as they
passed the tellers. Is there a person
of reasoning age in Iowa who does
not know what that means in city
where the @ has it's headquarters,
and where it employs thousands of
men? A few Independent and fear
less men, who dare oppose the 9
has decided to take the matter be-
fore the state convention.
Mr.. Blythe and Governor Cummins
have both been indorsed by their
neighbors. But is there no differ
ence? Is there not something in
yolved in the methods by which they
have been Endorsed, the republicans
of the state may we'll ponder? 1t is
said Governor Cummins is danger
GUS leader. But what does he lead
to? He leads to a fair test of the
sentiment of the state. If the judg-
ment of the people is against him he
is willing to have it openly expressed
and honestly registered 1t is said
that Mr.. Blythe is a conservative
and safe leader. But what does he
lead to? He leads to coercion OF
the public will, to the suppression OF
public sentiment, to the thimble rig
cling of caucuses and conventions ant'
to the final dominance in Iowa OF
addition division and silence"
1t is not so much men as tenden-
cies that are Endorsed in these pollt-
zeal contests. There are two tenden-
cies now struggling for supremacy in
the republican party not only In
Iowa but in the nation. One ten
dency is towards the strengthening of
popular government. 1t is tendency
against the domination of corporate
wealth. 1t is a tendency in the di-
rection of an honest ballot and fair
count. The other tendency is to-
wards the suppression of the popular
will. 1t is a tendency towards the
rule of wealth and interests. 1t is a
tendency against all use of the ballot
that is not unavoidable.
In the struggle men are merely
counters The ultimate bearing of
their success or defeat is alone worth
considering. Is it not about time
everybody was awakening to what is
involved in this contest?