Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-03-29
in A NEW DENIAL
ELklNs DECLARES cuMMlNs DIS.
REGARDS LINES OF
TRUTH

w ooHlu6lol, ~. VI, MdrCQ E(.-'NOC
to use harsher terms will say that
Governor Cummins does not tell the
truth when he says that former Sena.
tor Faulkner prompted or prepared
the questions asked him while he
was before the senate interstate com
merce committee" said Senator Ell
kins of West Virginia when informed
of the substance. of the let
ter which Governor Cummins has CIV
EN- to the press, in answer to the re-
cent letter to the governor from the
West Virginia senator.
IF anyone will take the trouble to
examine the questions l asked Cover
nor Cunmins it will be seen. that
those to which he objects relate to
his record on the railroad question.
Knowing that he was coming before
the committee, made myself familiar
with his record and dictated to my
clerk the questions propounded Mr..
Faulkner did not suggest one of the
questions, and has himself fatty con-
trad1cted the governors assertions:
Says He Aided cummins.
AS to my motives, first for the
questions asked and then for giving to
the press my letter to Governor Cum
minis, have something to say. AS
have stated, prepared in advance of
the governors appearance to develop
his position. 1t was only fair; mas
much as his views were sought. to
aid him by questions to place himself
squarely on record My questions de-
veloped his position on this important
question. lily letter was defense of
the senate, and not myself.
Governor Cummins' personality no
more than my own entered as an in
fuence in the correspondence, and his
assertion that am attempting to de-
feat him for denomination does not de.
scribe my motive in addressing him.
Whether the correspondence will have
that effect Is merely incidental SO far
as am concerned. What desire is
to put the senate right before the peo-
pie.
Governor Cummins' attempt to
make it appear that Governor Dawson
OF West Virginia, in writing Senator
Tlllman concerning the situation in
West Virginia, more gravely i'm
peached my integrity than any re-
marks made by Governor Cummins in
his speeches again shows that he is
not familiar with the facts.
Not Sighted by Dawson.
Senator Tillman had opened the
question of the situation in West Vir-
ginia and other coal fields, and it was
only natural that Governor Dawson
should address him on the subject
rather than either my colleague or
myself. Governor Dawson and / are
in complete harmony with the Presi-
dent, not only on this railroad rate
bill, but also on the coal question. It
was upon my motion that the resolu-
ton of inquiry after reported to the
senate for the committee by Mr.. Till
man was considered and adopted.
Does that look as though / opposed
it? / have frequently taken an inven-
tory in my affairs and find that If I
permitted myself to be swayed by sell
fish motives, by my own personal in
terests, would be more radical than
I am with regard to the pending rail-
road rate bill. My interests as ship
per are ten times as great as my in
terest in railroads. / am determined.
however, to give the pending bill that
consideration which my oath as sena-
tor requires. will not permit myself
to be Influenced by any consideration
of my private affairs.
"Let Governor Cummins read the
amendment which I will offer to the
bill and then say whether am OPP
posed to railroad legislation that will
be effective"