Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-07-23
GUILTY, AS CHARGED.
[Spirit Lake Beacon.1


Who is responsible for the present
condition of Iowa republican politics
Albert B. Cummins.
SO says the Sioux City Journal,
Under it's later standards, based upon
the mad ambition of its editor. the
Beacon is not disposed to agree with
the Journal to any considerable extent,
but the truth of this assertion may as
well be admitted.
The successful attack of this man
upon the barb wire monopoly back In
the eighties placed him under suspi-
cion.
In the legislative session of 1888 his
penetrating mind found the weak
spots in corporation armor, and his
contribution to important legislation
of the session branded him as dam
gerouS man.
When he in 1900 aspired to the office
of United States senator without the
aid or consent of the reigning railway
bosses he was seif-convictai of auda-
city unspeakable
When in 1901 he threw his shining
lance full and fair in the brazen face
Of the corpora tions and won a great
popular victory 1.-The present condi-
tons of Iowa republican politics. was
,darkly foreshadowed.
When he made good in the presence
of all the people by asserting the
righteous prerogatives Of governor of
a noble commonwealth; when he
asserted the sovereignty Of the peo-
pie over corporations and aggraga tions
of capital and outrage extraordinary,
when Albert b. Cummins. yielding to
the demands of progressive republi-
canism. promised for another epoch
marking campaign to stand against
corporation er1croachment upon popu
lar rights in the storm center of mali
cious attack then present condi-
tions" became acute and now must
this trouble breeder" take the conse-
quences.
In extenuation. however it may be
plead that Albert B. Cummins could
never have produced such conditions"
without the help of the rank and file
of the republican party. While the
Beacon will not stoop to unseemly pail
liation it may be suggested that Cum
Minis would have cut a sorry figure
without the support of the people.
Where intelligence most abounds;
where republicanism is most univer-
sal; when the best reading most
widely circulates; where manhood and
independence of spirit is most mani
fest there is made the most abundant
contributions to present conditions of
Iowa republicanism.' Asking pardon
for the suggestion. is it not true that
in the counties where combinations
center in Burlington; where the people
submit to the dictation of truculent
leaders who meekly feed from corpora
ton hands, there are present condi-
tions" most abominated.
Albert B. Cummins is no stronger
than the movement of which he is
recognized leader. His strength is
wholly of issues rather than of organi-
cation. Were he to die today a pill
lar of progressive strength would be
removed, but his supporters would con-
tinue to rally to the same standard
borne by other leaders. A political in
dictment against Governor Cummins
must lie against dominant Iowa intelli-
gence and the virility of Iowa repub-
licanism.
All along the path of human activity
men have been prosecuted for leading
such as have resulted in
1.-The present condition of Iowa repub-
lican politics" In ancient days Moses
was conspicuous offender. The stand
pat faction in the tribes of Israel visit
ed ignominious death upon One who
S W;eetly lived and nobly died leading an
movement for better man
kind. In our own times Seward. Sum
ner. Lincoln and Roosevelt have each
in turn been viciously denounced by
men of their own party for independ-
ence of character such as lis respon-
sible for present conditions of Iowa re-
publican politics"
Offenses resulting in these "condi-
tons need never come. 1t is so much
easier to stand in with the powers of
practical politics and win according to
the rules of the game. Instead of MAX
ing the fight Of his life to be governor,
Cummins might have been United