The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-06-05
THE EDITORIAL COLUMN.
THE SENATORIAL PROBLEM


THE SENATORIAL PROBLEM
The announcement that Gov. A. B. Cummins will be
candidate before the primaries next June for the
office of United States Senator is one that will make
this lively year in Iowa republican politics. 1t comes
great surprise at this time many of the Cover
nor's friends. 1t was decidedly bold move and it
will mean either the complete supremacy of the Cum
Minis faction or its practical humiliation.
Undoubtedly Senator William B. Allison is the hard
est man in Iowa to beat His record has been long
and honorable. For third of century his name has
been part of the Credo of his party. While he has
taken the lead reformer has never Jagged
in the and not of the great reform
but bears evidence of his wisdom. He be class
ed either with Foraker Adrich. Depew and Platt on
the hand with La Toilette Beverage on the
other.
would oppose him is his age. This objection would
have much greater force were he not already in the
Senate. There is vast difference between starting
Of eighty Senatorial and in turning out
the old and faithful servant simply because he
grown grey in the service. The candidacy of Allison
will appeal strongly to the people. 1t will appeal to
the older who have regarded Allison and Repub-
canism synonyms for MANY years. it will appeal to
the young men who do not wish to think that their
turn must to be reduced to the ranks matter
how honorable the service 1t may we'll be urged that
there should be age limit in legislative service as
we'll in the army and navy. But there none and
it would be humating to Mr.. Allison to impose it
upon him alone.
Personally we would like to see A. B. Cummins in
the Senate He is strong and able man. He could
cope with the questions of to-day and could undoubted
~ do much towards bringing about better state of
government. Nevertheless it must be remembered
that the reformers of the Senate have than
found that it the quiet conservative Allison to
whom they must look as the Moses to guide them to
effective legislation.
We regret that the Cummins announcement has been
made. We believe it would have been much better to
have waited until Senator Allison made announcement
of his purposes. Then if he wished to retire he
could have done without any bitterness Now. If he
retres it will have the appearance that he forced
to do so. This will ALLEVIATE from Mr.. Cummns many
friends who might we'll have been with him and will
drive them to the support of some other man. We be-
lieve Mr.. Cummins had nothing to lose by waiting
Neither Lacey, Smith, Towner nor any other ac-
counted stand-patter would have entered the
against Mr.. Allison and no Progressive would have
thought of taking precedence Mr. Cummns In
stead therefore of closing the field. the Cummns
has opened it and has made several cand-
dacies possible egaIees OF the Allison strength
We believe the republicans of Iowa we'll afford
to wait before making any decision. if the init
mate advisors of Mr. Cummins could not. If next
spring. Senator Allison is we'll and strong and hearty
physically and mentally. it will be bitter hard thing,
mserably ungrateful thing. for the republicans Of
Iowa to bid him step down and out. We venture tt
say that there is not in Iowa politics to-day who
does not the senior Senator debt of gratitude
and in this statement would not bar the governor
On the other hand if it becomes apparent that Mr.
Allison longer able to bear the burdens of public
service believe the majority of the republicans
the state would decide that Mr.. Cummins had farl,
the place. We believe that Senator Allison would
have been the first to realize his own fitness OF
untnes for the position had he not been placed this
akward position We believe he would have recogniz
ed the fact that honor could be added to him by thu
republicans of Iowa and that unless he felt himself per
fectly able to continue with his work he would gladly
have laid it down.
1t is for this resaon without any unfriendness Mr.
Cummins and with acknowledgement that according t.
all political rules he has fairly the right to asl
promotion regret what must consider the I'm
timely announcement of his candidacy. We would urg
upon the republicans that thy do not rashly commi
themselves. either to the deposition of the revere
senior Senator or to antagonsm to the younger maj
whose has been written large upon the poltica
history of the state.