Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-27

icle has done In favor of rate regula-
ton and other things that are of inter-
est to the farmer, but he wants to
know why this paper is against
county primary. For those who may
not have understood the position of
this paper we will say that we are not
against county primary and never
have been. The Chronicle is strongly
in favor of county primary in a
county like Franklin, but we have not
been in favor of a state wide primary,
and perhaps this is where the misun-
|derstanding comes from. We do not
oppose a state primary because Of the
belief that everything will go down hill
if we had such law passed. We have
opposed state primary law because
we do not think it will be a good thing
for the interests of Franklin county or
any other rural county in the state.
We are in favor of a direct vote on all
candidates for office, including United
States senators. the same as state Of
fcers, congressman and county Of
ficers are now elected, but we are from
Missouri on the state primary propo-
sition.
RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP.
Esprit Lake Beacon]
The Emmetsburg Reporter declares
Blythe has a right to take any side OF
a controversy which he sees fit which
goes without saying; and that mo 9TH
er man should be condemned because
Blythe happens to think the same way
he does on the question:" which is true
if this is all there is of the case.
1t is not ]. w. Blythe, the citizen,
but j. w. Blythe the leader of Iowa
standpatisn who is subject to crltl-
cism. He has written no plank OIL
any platform. He has never publicly
expressed political sentiment or
stated a political principle based upon
personal conviction. He tried to put
Roosevelt out of running as a presi-
Dental candidate. He has been heard
to voice his admiration for national
free trade, and to express contempt for
national leaders because of their de-
votion to protection. His power is due
not to intellectual triumph. not to de-
votion to principle not to distinguished
party service, but to the fact that
through the abuse of the free pass and
his craft in organization he can pledge
congressional and legislative nomina-
tons, federal appointments and hum
dreds of delegates in state convention.
AS Blythe the citizen he may do this
if he can. But any faction who wants
this man to rule over them and are
seeking to kill off men like Governor
Cummns that he may hold undisputed
leadership of the republican party
ought to be held responsible at the bar
of public. opinion.
If Cummins and men who are fight
ing political battles with him retire
voluntarily or otherwise j. w. Blythe
will divide leadership with no man.
He will dictate legislation. He will
control nominations and appointments.
No candidate asserting the rights of
free manhood will be permitted to hold
office. Is this view justified? Go ask
Senator Lewis, or Senator Turner, or
any other man in the Burlington res
ervation whom he would sacrifice to his
unholy wrath. Go ask candidates for
state office who have fallen in defeat
and who kno-rSSSust where and why
they were defeated Study the signi-
ficance of political appointments with
in the territory controlled at Burling
ton
No party nor no faction is better than
its leadership. No leadership is better
than it's controlling passion or motive.
Blame not Mr.. Bl..---Ase too much fo~
increasing his salary and making his
job secure by controlling if he can the
affairs OF Iowa republicanism. Blame
rather the men who submit to his die
tation and strive to deliver the party
into his keeping. All may not share
at his flesh pots, but men who do not
have the less excuse and more respon-
sibility for the offense against patriot
ism and party integrity.
Lemuel Hill of Evansville. Ind.
charged with the murder of John HILL