Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-02
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Davenport, Dec 2.-Governor Cum-
Minis carried a message to Davenport
Sunday that was listened to by one Of
the largest audiences ever assembled
in this CITY, He brought a word Of
warning if the citizens fail to enforce
existing laws, and it is believed the
warning will be needed by the law
abiding public.
The governor made two addresses
during the day and had the two larg-
est audiences that ever assembled in
Davenport. The Burtis opera house
was packed in the afternoon when he
delivered the grafton at the memorial
exercises Of the order of Elks.
In the evening nearly 1000 people
crowded the auditorium and balcony
of the First Presbyterian church, the
largest church in the city. Many were
turned away, unable to gain admit
tance, all the churches having closed
that pastors and people might attend
the mass meeting The immense
throng gave the governor the closest
attention while he discussed the Ques-
tions that have aroused so n1a.ch feel-
ing here.
He declared that if Davenport Off.
GERS dosnot perform the duty they are
sworn to perform the time will soon
come when their power will be lodged
in more willing hands. The speech fol-
lows in full:
Ladies and Gentlemen: I spoke this
afternoon in honor Of the dead.
speak tonight for the honor Of the liy-
ing. am glad to join the people Of
Davenport in the consideration Of e.
subject Of vital Importance at all times
and which at the present moment oc>
cupies the uppermost place in the
thought Of the men and women Of
Iowa. The topic have chosen for the
brief time during which shall ask
your indulgence is the obligation Of
the citizen to obey the law, and the
duty Of the officer to enforce the law,
in so far as the enforcement is COM
mited to his hands.
''There has been much said and
much written upon this subject in res
cent days, and as a mere abstraction,
there never has been and never can
be any dispute about it. That the
citizen should observe the law, and
that the officer should do his duty
are no more to be controverted than
the divine command, Thou shalt not
steal'
'Tn view. however, of the tempest
uous storm that has been raging in
this state. and the mistakes Of ignor-
ance and exaggerations Of malice
which have accompanied it, I cannot
refrain the suggestion that every
moral reform must be bottomed upon
the truth, and that in just 80 far as
we depart from honesty in statements
and argument, in just so much we re-
tard the cause we are endeavoring to
promote.
Governor Defends Iowa.
"An impartial observer could well
conclude, from many Of the impas-3
stoned denunciations that have been
printed in the newspapers. that Iowa.
is the vilest spot in all the world.
AS her chief executive for the time
being, must be allowed a word In her
behalf AS righteous as the demand
for obedience to the law is. and as
stern as the Indignation against law
breakers ought to be, it is not neces-
sary to stain the reputation Of our
commonwealth by lifting It into an
unenviable prominence as a law.
breaking and crime-ridden community.
I earnestly hope that the wave Of
public morality which is now sweep
ing over the state may roll on, grow
ing in strength and power until Il gubs
merges every man who defies the law.
But in the interest OF the truth, you
must allow me to declare that Iowa
has fewer law-breakers than any
other population Of like extent IN the
republic, I care not whether you COM
pare her with states Immediately ada
iacent, or with those In the remoter
portions of the country. Her star shines
with a purer light than any other
In the constellation of the union. I
go further. There is not a more law
loving and law abiding people Upon
the face Of the earth than those who
make up the state Of which you arc
happy and fortunate citizens. per-
NIT no man to outstrtp me In the race
of reform, but resent, and resent
emphatically, the efforts OF those per-.
sons whose object seems to be to mul-
tiply our crimes and minimize our moes
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