Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-05-11
DYING AND OUGHT TO DIE.

DYING AND OUGHT TO DIE.
Just at present Joseph Cannon,
speaker of the house of representatives,
is particularly unpopular parsonage.
Why? Simply because by virtue of his
office and Of fealty to the special In
terests wherewith he is identified, he is
able to block a square deal, overrule
majority sentiment and oppose success
fully the carrying out of the presidents
recommendations and a popular de-
mand based on the principles of every
day common sense and plain righteous
ness.
Speaker Cannon is an illustration of
the boss principle which has so long
flourished in American politics, the
principle that puts men into high
places for special purpose: of serv-
ice to certain political powers as ex-
ercised by certain private interests. He
U0lOiSS " lIlS oiu ASSAAiAS' ~ -
standpatter in the least alluring sense
Of the word; relic of a time when
men like Mark Hanna made business
transaction Of elections and others like
Matt Quay made politics form OF
piracy. Speaker Cannon can not real
lie that these men, each a type Of
strength in his way. are both dead
without successor and that the sys-
TEN of which they were the life centers
is doomed and dying.
Cannon is only national symptom
Of condition that obtains in states,
counties and municipalities where a
few assume to arrogate to themselves
the political and commercial govern
ment and direction of the many and
where officers are elected not to repre-
sent common citizenship but to take
care Of their friends" Mr.. Cannon Is
taking care of his friends. When Shaw
paroled Shercliffe at Hubbard's dicta-
ton, when he offered Blythe the sem
atorship. when the Molesberry bill
passed the Iowa legislature; when
Trewin did his best for the corpora
lions, each was simply a case Of caring
for friends. There is kind of political
friendship which is based on the ode
livery Of the goods" 1t has been the
source and sustenance Of many an Of
fee holder in Iowa and the nation.
That this must give way to the Roose-
veltian principle Of a square deal all
round, naturally seems incredible to
those who have made it the pillar OF
their political fortunes. For what on
earth have they been elected, why have
the campaign contributions been forth
coming unless the goods are to be de-
livered?
Speaker Cannon Is an excellent illus
tra.tion of the difference that exists
between the definition Of political NOR
ais and responsibility between himself
and the friends he is caring for and
the Cummins', LaFollettes', Hughes
and the people they represent. Note
that when the people have spoken
plainly the new men Of the new school
submit to their expressed will. Note
also that the elevation of these new
men has come directly by appeal to
the common voter. Remark that ev-
cry reform they have urged has been
submitted to the widest publicity and
that every voter has had his say
wherever these new men might bring
popular canvass to pass. Then con-
trast the Cannons, and the interests
and the methods behind the Cannons
with all this. AS common citizen OF
representative government, where do
| the common citizens duty and interest
| lie? He votes. He must take his
choice between men whose sense of re-
sponsibility is thus diverse. Who are
you for, the politician who takes care
| of his friends, or the other who recog-
nizes the masses and their interests?
The cry of demagog is baseless one
| in states like Iowa where a splendid
and intelligent citizenship stamps pop
| ular agitation Of public questions as
the wisest craftsmanship. We have
come to time when honest service is
| more demanded than assumed leader
ship and the dictatorial arrogance OF
party autocracy. How are YOU go
| ing to vote in the primary? For an
autocracy or a republic of party? =.
However we may differ, every think
| ing voter knows and feels his own need
1 and recognizes the needs of others
Behind the tawdry curtain that con-
ceals the only American sovereign on
his single day Of kingship, he stands
-. 81. 49, al