Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-01-30
CUMM|NS OPENS
HIS CAMP A|CN
M KES FIRST
SPEECH IN FIGHT FOR SEN
ATE AT MASON CITY

Mason City, Jan, 29.---Gov. Cum
minis made the first speech In his
campaign for United States senator
against William B. Allison in this city
last night. 1t was not the set speech
which he will make later. He spoke
with Judge Prouty, VINO is the head
of his oratorical department.
Gov. Cummins said he would say
nothing in the campaign by way OF
criticism, censure, or detraction Of
Senator Allison, but frankly would de
clare his position on the issues before
the people and would submit the case
to the verdict Of the republicans ex
pressed at the primaries. to be held
June g.
Gov. Cummins delivered short ad
dress yesterday afternoon to school
children. He also spoke briefly to the
Cummins club at the courthouse. Last
evening he spoke at the opera house
after which he took an automobile for
Nora Springs, where he took a train
for Chicago to address meeting
there tonight
Willing to Abide by Primary
A big crowd of republicans from
Cerro Gordo and surrounding counties
was present wnen Gov Cummina
spoke. After stating that peremp-
tory engagement elsewhere made it
necessary for him to leave early, he
began at once the discussion of the
questions relating to the senatorial
campaign. AT the outset he declared
himself willing to submit to primary
declaration on the United States SEN
atorship.
II want it to be distinctly under
stood" said he, that, as between any
rival who may enter the coming prim-
airy and myself, the result will be alb
solutely determined, as far as l am
concerned, at the primary. If there
are but two candidates, and | do not
receive a majority of the republican
votes cast in the state, my successful
competition will be entitled to election
and all the influence have will be ex.
erted in his behalf. If, on the contrary
| receive majority ofthe republican
votes cast at the primary, shall ex-
pect not only my opponent but every
other loyal republican to abide by the
decision of the voters and to keen
faith with the letter and spirit of the
law
Il shall ask no republican candidate
for the general assembly to pledge
himself to vote for me, but shall ask
every republican candidate to give the
rank and file Of the republican party
pledge that he will abide by the re-
suit of the primary in the state at
large. 1t is to be hoped not single
candidate, will refuse to make this
promise, but if there be one he will
have scant title to the support of re-
publicans, who believe the sovereign
ty Of the state rests in the hands of
the body Of the people"
Will Await Judgment.
Referring to Senator Allison, the
governor said:
Concerning my distinguished rival
for the high honor am asking at your
hands, nave nothing to say, either
by way Of criticism, censure, or re-
traction. He has had a long and no
table career. Mine has not been SO
long, but has mad storms enough in it
to cover lifetime. | acknowledge
freely We are not of the same tempera-
ment. We view affairs from different
standpoints. The republicans of the
state knew both of us fairly we'll and
1t is for them to determine which type
OF man would be most useful to them.
| await their judgment, and will ac-
cept 1t with gratitude if it be for me,
and without murmur if it be against
me-"
The governor next referred to the
statement he could not be elected sen.
ator at any time without fight, for