Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18
CALLS CUMMINS' BLUFF
SENATOR DOLLIVER PRODUCES INDIS.
PUTABLE EVIDENCE OF PROMISE
TO ALLISON.
Statement in Speech That Cummins Pro.
missed Verbally and in Writing Not to
be a Candidate Against Allison De.
MED by Cummins and Proved
by Publication Of Letter.

| Ab ldSG OOVoTuOT OullmluS is Dcius,
shown up in his true light. Repeat
edly during his candidacy for COVER
nor last year this paper made the
statement that we believed that Cum
Minis great ambition was to be
United States Senator, that he would
probably be candidate against Sena-
tor Allison this year. and that his
campaign for governor was being
made for the purpose of keeping his
great political machine properly oiled
and in working order. His supporters
here and elsewhere hooted the state
ment. poo -pooed the idea of such a
thing-it was not so, he would never
do it,
But he did. Scarcely had he en-
tered upon his third term as governor
when his machine began to boom him
for Senator, and it was nos long until
he admitted his candidacy.
In the opening speech of Senator
Allison IS campaign at Council Bluffs
few days ago Senator Dolliver made
the statement that Gov. Cummins
had repeatedly promised, in speeches,
in personal conversation and over his
own signature that he did not intend
to be candidate against Senator
Allison Cummins was soon forth
coming with dramatic grand stand
denial of it all. Said that he had
never promised not TO be a candidate
against Allison, and would give
ST, 900 to charity if any person would
produce evidence that he had done so.
Senator Dolliver has accepted the
challenge and made good his word.
Here it is:
After the Proof.
Washington, ID. G. Dec. 3, 1907.
"To Mr.. Willard Ii. Torbert, Dubu-
que. Iowa.
NY Dear Mr.. Torbert:
In the speech made in favor of the
re election of Senator Allison at
Council Bluffs, November 20. said,
referring to Governor Cummins: He
denounced in scathing terms the re-
port which was in circulation that he
sought TO supercede Allison as a
malicious falsehood. set afioat by his
enemies TO injure him with the
people. He asked the support of Sen
ator Allison's nearest friends upon
written assurances over his own sig
nature that he favored the senator's
re- e-election and that reports to the
contrary were calumnies designed by
his adversaries to compass his defeat.
/ made this charge in reliance il
part upon information / had received
that substantially such statements
had been made to you both verbally
and in writing by Governor Cummins.
/ note that in an interview in this
city telegraphed to the Register and
Leader Governor Cummins SAYS:
Assertions of that kind are untrue.
l might say more but am Chris
tian.
In view of this denial I take the
liberty to ask you to advise me fully
as to the correctness of my informa-
tion. II any such verbal statements
were made to you l wish you would
kindly let me know wtat they were
and if a letter was received by you OH
the subject from Governor Cummins
and you do not regard it as con-
fidential nature | wish you would
send me copy Of at least so much of
it as bears ON this question and also
ADVISE me fully as to the circum-
stances surrounding its receipt. An
early reply will greatly oblige me.
Very truly yours.
j. p. DOLLIVER.
What Cummins Said.
Following is Mr.. Iorbert's S reply:
Dubuque, Iowa, Dec. IL, 1907.
To the Hon. j. P. Dolliver, Wash
ington. d. c.. Dear Senator:
l Lave received your letter Of De-
cember 9tn. For many years l have
been an admirer and warm supporter
Of Governor Cummins in all his cam
paigns. On October 18th, 1905. he
Was in Dubuque and his candidacy
for nomination and reelection as
governor became the subject of con-
versation between us.
Suggestions had been frequent that
he was an aspirant for Senator Alli-
sons place in the senate and that his
denomination and reelection as gov
ernor would only strengthen him for
the contest with Senator Allison.
These intimations were not only a
hindrance in my work for the governor.
but felt that l could not properly do
anything injurious to Senator Allison.
And so on that occasion | mention
ed to him that these Suggestions were
being made and he told me positively
that SO long as Senator Allison desired
to be a senator from Iowa. he
(Cummins) would be his (Allison's)
friend and supporter.
carried this assurance tn. a number
of Senator Allison's friends who |
thought might be induced to support
Mr.. Cummins in his candidacy for
the governorship. Their responses
were somewhat skeptical and gave me
the idea that it would be OF advan-
tage to Gov. Cummins to give to me a
written statement on this subject
which might show to Senator Alli-
sons friends and thus assure them of
Governor Cummins' position as he