Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-29
ToRBERT DID NOT REPLY.

Mr.. l. w. Myers, Of Hampton, who
believed himself to be a friend of both
Cummins and Allison, addressed reg
istered letter to Mr. Torbert OF Du-
buque on December "a asking the Du-
buque gentleman some very pertinent
questions The registry receipt came
back all right. showing that Torbert
got the letter but never did any reply
appear Mr.. Myers questions were as
follows:
Hon. w. II. Torbert Dubuque, la.
Dear Sir: AS a warm friend OF both
Senator Allison and Governor Cum
Minis, desire to ask you Il few ques-
tons containing nothing of a conf
Dental character.
During the last gubernatorial cam
paign OF our state, the antagonists of
Governor Cummns made charges
against him In Il Very outspoken man
ner. Some said the third term was
intended merely to pave his way to the
United States senate as successor to
Senator Allison that Mr.. Garst's cleo
ton as lieutenant governor would
mean Mr.. Cumniins' appointment to
the United States senate. In case OF
L.
scheme was desperately wrong. 9th
ers said that the governor had no right
to ask for third term: that such a
thing was unheard of in Iowa. and
that it was unfair.
AS a warm supporter of the governor
made answer to these accusations
on various occasions, taking the
ground that an American citizen has
the right-both moral and legal-to
determine for himself in what offices
he would like to serve the people and
to determine for himself the success
sion in which he would like to fill those
Offices: for IL his aspirants transcribed
his ability his righteousness and his
popularity. the people would bring his
career to close in short order. In
short. | held that If the governor could
be elected to third term. it would
give him a superior claim to become
Senator Alisons successor; but that
If he was defeated. his claims to the
United States senatorship would be
subordinated, or would entirely van
ish. I held. too. that it required a
marvellous faith on the part of the
governor. In his own righteousness and
popularity, to incline him to venture
his all in so bold an undertaking: but
that the undertaking was absolutely
fair. more especially so because his
adversaries had been able to foresee
the governors entire plan, and had
thus the opportunity to promulgate the
same, and to thwart his plan. If of
right 1t ought to be thWarted
Now, the first question / wish to ask
you is this: Were the grounds | took.
as above stated, tenable: or We're those
of the governors opponents more so?
Again, understand that you tried
to get pledge out of Governor Cum
Minis Gin fact that you claim that you
did get a pledge) that he would not
become candidate against Senator
| Allison for the United States senator
|. ship; and that you We're willing to
!. support the governor in his third term
4 candidacy If such a pledge could be
secured. IF this was not the position
you took at the time, please explain
what your position was regarding the
governors third term candidacy, at
that time. But it your position was
as above stated, then my second ques-
ton to you is this: Is not your meth
ed of running politics, as above out
lined, just what the people of Iowa
with Mr.. Cummins as leader--are try
ing to cut out and to substitute there
for, the voice Of the people?
My third question is: Was Governor
Cummins-up to the time when, as you
claim, he broke faith with you - a
person of such ability and rectitude,
that you could conscientiously vote for
him for a third term?
l hope Mr.. Torbert that you will an
swer these three questions fairly, and
in terms that cannot be mistaken; so
that the differences between the two
wings Of our party df such there be)
may become clean-cut and clearly UNI
derstood. Thanking you in advance,
am Yours very truly.
l. w. MYERS.
Hampton Dec. "a, 1907.