Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-04-28

ton. Now why, may ask, should we
| abrogate the precedent which has
been justly established in the state
and likewise in the nation. No presi-
dent has been great enough to fill the
executive Office three terms. Why
should that precedent be abrogated on
this occasion? The friends of the gov
ernor and he, likewise, maintain that
there is great crisis facing the peo-
pie of Iowa and that he is necessary to
+, the salvation of the best interests OF
the state in this crisis and therefore
should be returned to the Office for the
third time. Now in order to examine
this question calmly and carefully, and
yet to do justice to the governor and
his friends, propose during the
limited time speak to analyze the sit
uation and appeal to you to say wheth-
er or not a crisis exists in the state
of Iowa, that demands his election to
serve seven years as governor. shall
endeavor in the course of my remarks
to confine myself to the recorded evil
dence that no one can charge me with
Misrepresentation
Analysis of Cummins' Reasons.
Now first: what are the governors
reasons? had occasion this morning
on the journey from Des Moines to
read his reported speech delivered in
this hall on the afternoon of April Z,
and l shall draw from that speech the
reasons which actuate him and which
he on that occasion urged for his re-
nomination. These reasons were OF
two kinds. Certain of them we're spe-
cial. Others were general in their ma
ture. But shall address you first on
the subject of the special reason which
4 he presented His first argument was,
that he, of all the governors of the
state today, did his duty in the matter
/. of influencing the executive council to
assess railroad property. Well now,
/ gentlemen, are we reduced to so low
az level that a man who has done his
duty is an exception to the ordinary
. rule, and that he should be crowned
with apparently asperpetual office be-
cause he in one instance did his duty ?
i 1t seems to me that it goes without
saying that the man who enters the
executive Office and who raises his
arm and takes the oath before his
Maker that he will administer the laws
of the state. under the sanction OF
that sacred oath, will do his whole du-
Ity. Therefore say that even If the
4 claims made are true that it would not
be sufficient reason to Justify him
asking for the abrogation of the pre-.
cedent against the third term.
Railroad Assessment Issue.
! "And now let us analyze the PROPOSE
tion and let us determine in the light
of facts whether the claim is or is. not
we'll taken, that in the administration
of the executive power in the matter
of assessing railroads he has perform
ed an extraordinary duty; exceptional
to the ordinary executive rule, and that
the benefits which have accrued there.
fore are so extraordinary that he
stands in bold relief, head and Shout
ders above all the other governors who
have preceded him. I have here ia
4 BILE taken from the official records of
the assessed valuation of railroad
property during the administrations of
Governor Shaw and Governor Cum.
minis. The figures given here are the
same as those given in the governors
speech, although more detailed. Under
Governor Shaw, in 1900, the railroad
assessment for 1926 miles of railway
aggregated $46,208,51O.
Under Gov. Cummins during the
year 1901, the first year of his term,
the assessment was $47,O71,25S. In
1902 it was $51,307 $50. In 1903, with
a mileage of 9,726 miles, the assess
ment aggregated $56,541,513 In 1904,
with mileage of $500 miles, the as
sessment aggregated $57,535, 160,
There was an aggregate increase dur
ing that period therefore Of $11, $685..
$50. The question then arises, was
this advance due to the fact that the
governors who preceded him had
!, failed in the performance of their dll-
ties and that this advance in assess
ment was correction of previous
, omissions or upon the other hand due
to conditions-ph physical and financial
conditions affecting the value of rail
road properties, which commanded
the governor in the performance of his
duty as member Of the executive
council, to increase the assessment:
You know that the entire responsible
.. ity does not rest with the governor;
and that the executive council is com
posed of the governor, ex-oficio chair
; man, the treasurer, secretary and aud
itor of state.
''Now let us review the changes thai
, have taken place since Governor Cum
Minis took the reins of office or since
the assessments preceding his admin
istration was made by his predecessor
You will observe from the figures
quoted that the mileage Of railways ir
the state of Iowa increased during the
interim, from 1926 miles in 1900 tt
$500 in 1904, and appreciate that this
additional mileage alone would justif!
substantial increase in the railroad
, assessment. That is not all gentle
men. Those who are familiar with the
: development Of the railroad systems
: of Iowa during the last five years will
t appreciate the fact that millions o
/ dollars have been expended In the bet
terment of those properties. One not
!. able instance is that of the Chicago s
: Northwestern railway which durin!
; the period in question, Strengthened it