The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-10-29
DIR. FRED A. BOWMAN
Candidate for State Senator


For many years the democrats of the
Fifth senatorial district allowed the
election of a state senator to go by de-
fault, as the republican majority in the
three counties composing the district,
Decatur, Ringgold and Union, was so
overwhelming that democrat had abb
soiutely no show of an election. This
year the democratic party has candi-
date who is making a gallant race with
an excellent show of being elected. DR..
Fred A. Bowman did not seek the
nomination, but when his party asked
him to make the race he consented to do
SO at a great personal sacrifice, and he
deserves to be elected. He has a clean
record, and the only public office he has
ever held was that Of coroner of De-
catur county. The first time he ran for
coroner he ran ahead of his ticket and
was elected, and so satisfactorily did he
discharge the duties of the Office that
when he came up for reelection the
opposition did not make any nomination
against him. During the time he held
the Office of coroner he was called upon
to hold inquests in several murder
cases, and so we'll did he handle the
evidence at the inquest that all OF the
parties either plead guilty or were con-
victed. His opponent, Capt. J. D. Brown,
of Leon, has been frequently defeated
for Office by his own party, having twice
been the republican candidate for repre-
sentative and was defeated both ines,
although each time his party had big
majority in the county. If they did not
want him to represent them in the lower
house of the general assembly will they
want him to represent them in the
State Senate? One of the main things
which has always contributed to Capt.
Browns defeat is his reputation as a
friend and worker for the railroads.
For years he was special pet of the
G. B. & Q. e. r, and was granted many
favors which were refused to others
When he wanted a special train to ship
his stock to Chicago he got it. When
he wanted an underground crossing on
his farm north Of Leon he got it, but
similar requests from other farmers
were invariably refused. When the re.
duction of the rate of passenger fare was
agitated away back in 1889 Capt. Brown
circulated remonstrance with his
name heading the signers, which was
sent to Senator j. B. Harsh, of Creston
protesting against any reduction in the
rate charged for passenger travel. Il
that the kind of man the people want
to represent them in the Senate, or dc
they want man who is free from any
railroad or corporation influences? Capt
Brow is relying on the republican ma
iority in Ringgold and Union counties
to elect him, and the friends Of DR.
Bowman should use every effort to sec
that he receive, such vote as will re.
tire Capt. Brown from the political
arena for all time to come. His OWL
county has rejected him time and time
again, and if the election depended upon
Decatur county alone there would be nc
question about the election of DR.. Bow.
man, who has made a & liant fight and
he shcul receive the hearty support Of
every voter who is opposed to railroad
and corpora tion Influences controlling
our legislators. The proper thing tt
do is to vote for DR.. Fred A. Bowman
for state senator.