The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-22
CUMMINS BEGINS
ACTIVE CAMP Align
RoUsING MEETING rs HELD AT
FORT DODGE.
Iowa's Governor Makes Clear His Plat
form and Stand Against Governing
Power of Corporations, and Pays
Glowing Tribute to Senator Dolliver,
Thus Setting at Rest Reports Of His
Enemies.
Special to The journal.

faced the largest political gathering in the
history of this city last night at the Midland
theater, when he formally opened his campaign
for third term, and not for many years has
so much interest been awakened in a political
meeting. Governor Cummins said:
'For the first time in my life present to
an audience questions OF public Importance,
with direct reference to my own candidacy for
office. If there is nothing more involved In the
on which we are entering than the
personality of the several candidates am not
in taking your time. From such
public discussion would be an Inn
pertinence not to be tolerated by an intelligent
people. IT, on the other hand, the republicans
who have pressed me into another candidacy
principles essential to good govern
ment and to the safety of free institutions,
and if, in agreeing to lead the fight for these
simply doing my duty, then
the cause obliterates the candidates and the
struggle will crystalline around the things Ior
which we stand. a.
''This contest, if I can make it so, will be
fought out before the rank and file of the re-
publican voters 1 respect as highly as anyone
can the leadership Of the party, but my appeal
must be not to the leaders alone, but to the
conscience and manhood Of that mighty host
which can do more than to simply vote for
the principles it believes to be just and the
candidates it believes to be true. If am not
the choice of the greater number of the repub-
licans of the state will not be nominated; but
If am will win, for I intend to do every
thing in my power to that they have an
Good Word for, Dolliver.
The governor then spoke of the work of Sem
ator Dolliver and urged that he be given the
greatest support. He said:
Whatever T can do to sustain him In the
work he has undertaken. and to give him
strength for the FUTURE will be heartily done.
intend to make this SO explicit that the man
who hereafter says there is any. conflict between
his ambitions and mine, or that it is necessary
to be my enemy in order to be his FRIEND will
be convicted Of a malicious falsehood before
any court Of conscience or fair dealing.
1.-THE rapid material development of the last
quarter Of century has required the interven-
ton Of a tremendous corporate power. The en-
terprises of this country have been SO great
that the individual effort and individual capital
have been altogether inadequate to the task
of carrying them on. =, We must all recognize
the corporation, therefore, necessary factor
in the growth that has challenged the wonder
of the world. Our transpor tation, industrial and
financial associations. have gradually absorbed
SO large a proportion of the wealth Of the ma
ton, they monoDOltze so completely the manu-
facture and distribution of products, their
connection has become SO close and sympathetic
that the old fashioned forces Of competition have
lost their effectiveness. Long ago, therefore, it
became essential that the governments, national
and state, should attempt to regulate their cor
porattons that che natural selhshneks of man
might be somewhat restricted and the people
protected. ~ n y 80 -. >,
-'SSAPoA"OAO1A0 w ev44S Luz. AN4tASAs
IF the corporations had contented themselves
with an appearance before the public with fair
argument concerning the justice or wisdom of
any proposed measure Of regulation, or an APP
pearance before the committee of legislative
bodies having in charge such, measures. the is
sue now before the people would never have
| arisen. 1t is obvious, however, that they have
not been satisfied with this procedure. They
long ago concluded that the only way that would
| lead them to the full privileges they claim
was to select the men who composed our legis
latiye and executive bodies, make sure Of theil
nomination to office. and then make sure OF
their election. They have accordingly entered
the arena of politics, and have been for years
| and are now, force potential that an indie
| pendent man, however courageous, must shiyel
| before he decides to incur their opposition.
This presents the issues, and more faith
| full one was never drawn thru the affairs OF
man. We are to determine not only in Iowa
| but thruout the whole country, whether there fl
strength enough and patriotism enough amons
the common people to resist the agressions o
| corporate power. In such crisis it is no
enough that the voters OF their leaders shall
abstractly favor Justice or abstractly hold RICH
opinions. If you are to accomplish the sub
ordination Of the corporations and restrict then
to their legitimate field you must have repre-
sentatives in the law, making the 1aw-execut
Ing departments Of the government not SO enam
ored OF harmony that they are unwilling t
draw blood when 1t is neceSs8ryn =