Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-03-04
MAJOR TORBERT AT SIOUX CITY.
Man Who Wrote the Famous Letter Speak.
for Senator Allison.

Major William Fl. Torbert of Dubu-
que addressed a large audience at the
opening of the Allison campaign in
Sioux City and northwestern Iowa re-
Gently. Referring to the Torbert let
ter episode he said:
| was in hopes to make a few Obser-
vations concerning the Torbert letter,
of which perhaps you have heard.
But | have already consumed too
much of your time But [ simply
want to emblazon in your. minds this
truth: That Governor Cummins in
his explanations acknowledges receipt
of my letters to him and the genui-
ness of his reply. | want. as he did,
to make an offer of thousand dollars
to the charitable institutions of Iowa.
Ny proposition is, that he says in one
of his explanations that he was re-
ceiving numerous letters from Dubu-
que requesting him to declare that he
did not desire Senator AllisOn's seat
Ii he will produce one such letter
from any other individual in Dubuque
county than the deponent. L will give
the thousand dollars to the charitable
institution, with this added condition.
that l want to pay the thousand dol
lars if he produces the letter, as he
did when this letter was produced.
You must bear this in mind, that
the campaign for him in 1906 was
waxing strong and hot and he saw in
the contest possibly his political
oblivion. To secure votes in that
convention he was willing to promise
the earth and the fullness thereof,
and as a result of those promises made
to me in writing and made to Judge
Birdsall on his porch subsequently,
his letter to me with his promise
therein, scattered widely over the
district, secured for him more votes
in the Third district than he had
majority in that convention.
With reference TO the assurance he
gave Judge Birdsall after the con-
ventiOu in which he told Birdsall
that he would not be "A candidate for
the place and that he wanted Birdsall
to declare his promise from the stump
and in private interviews. Judge
Birdsall did it, He told me with his
own lips that he made known to his
constituents the declaration and
promise of Governor Cummins to
him. In January, the follOwin year
he told Senator Deliver to convey his
kindest regards to Senator Allison
and TO assure him he would not be a
candidate against him. This Senator
Dolliyer did, and have its contirma-
ton also from his lips
We are told that this Is campaign
of the Young men for young man
and that Governor Cummins is their
idol. The other dav in county of
the Third district II supporter of Gov
ernor Cummins said to me: IF Gov
ernor Cummins were to walk along
the street today the younger men all
would know him, but if Senator ALI
son should walk on the other side
there would be but few that would
recognize him, This alleged idola.
try of the young men. If il be true,
could be easily explained. Senator
Allison, for SIX years has not been
hippodroming this state addressing
farmers Institutes, county fairs and
old settlers picnics. declaring that
II am that am To such an extent
has this been done by his distinguish
ed opponent that | presume that there
may te some in Iowa who think that
Albert b. Cummins wrote the Declar-
htioh VI independence anu ihspiiOt
the New Testament.
But | am persuaded of better things
of the young men Of Iowa. l am sure
that they know the mighty work ALI
son has done for his country. And
while they may not have shaken his
glad hand at the county fair they
know that he has been wise and
safe leader They know that he has
preserved harmony in the republican
party OF Iowa and has been largely
instrumental in our rolling up ma
iority of so, 600 and 100, 0c0 for the re-
publican party in Iowa.