The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-03-29
A BIG M!!!STAKE
WAS MADE BY GOVERNOR CUM.
MINIS = WAKEp UP THE
WRONG CUSTOMER.

Tho New York Sun Of March 22nd
has very entertaining editorial
anent the open letter written by
Senator Elkins to Governor Cummlns,
of Iowa. 1t shows that the Senator
from West Virginia has put the Iowa
Governor completely In a hole with
reference to his charges against the
Senate Committee on Interstate Com.
merce, Of which Senator Elkins is
Chairman The editorial follows:
"The Iowa idea ought to be fair
play as well as freer trade. Governor
cummins seems to be the victim Of a
fckle memory when he discusses the
rate bill In his campaign speeches in
Iowa, and particularly when he talks
about his experience as a witness at
the hearings OF the Interstate Com.
merce Committee last summer. He
has walked up the wrong customer in
Senator Elkins, who Is chairman Of
that important committee. and to
whom It fell by virtue of his position,
to learn what the talented Governor
knew about tariffs, determinations
and rebates.
"In B speech at Fort Dodge, where
the Governor was In great form, he
painted the Senator in dark colors as
hostile cross.examiner who put
questions for the purpose Of over.
throwing what I said and sending me
homo in disgust and humiliation
And then there was this ,intimation Of
deep and dark conspiracy:
Sitting on the right hand Of the
Chairman Of the Interstate Commerce
Committee. SO close to him that It
seemed to me their arms were en-
twined. in loving association and EN-.
brace, was the general counsel, as I
was informed, for all the railways Of
the country, employed for the specific
purpose OF obstrueting and defeating
the measure that had been recon.
mendod by the President" The ques.
tions the Senator piled the Governor
with we're passed up-a score of them
at least-by the aitectlonate general
counsel.
"Even a Senator may be sensitive,
and Mr.. Elkins doesn't like the pic.
ture. Governor Cumming has not been
quite Just In his opinion. How can the
Governors complaint that he was
harshly and fouly used, Mr.. Elkins
asks in his open letter, be reconclled
with this acknowledgment made when
he asked II he had anything else to
say: Nothing except to express my
thanks for the patience and courteous
way in which the members Of the
committee have listened to my state
ment.' Yet in his appeal to the en-
battled farmers Of Fort Dodge, for
votes, the Governor declared that my
indignation overcams my discretion,
and said then and often since that
so long as God gave me voice and
strength, I would denounce that In
fanny from one border Of our country
to another The reference was to his
hostile treatment II Is to be feared
the Governor Is emotional when asking
farmers for votes, On the question Of
his scurvy treatment By the commit
tees chairman, he seems to be con.
yicted out Of his own mouth.
III Senator Ekils was entwinei In
loving association and embrace with
anybody Il was viii Senator cullon,
for the aged Illinois statesman sat
on bis right Senator cullom is never
demonstratiye. How he does like to
be taken for q eonSplring railroad law.
Iyerl As a candidate for reelection be
4 viii have to defend himself To,eoyer
Governor Cpmmlns With the extin'
lguIsher completely Senator ElIanl
concludes. q DEFY you to quote hos
\ Tile question from the record Ths
4 Iseaator and Secretary shaw ought to
lIgeE together and compare notes