Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-05-19

the people of Iowa believe that Gov
ernor Cummins was not in touch with
this movement. The governor was in
thorough touch with it from the time
the cattlemen began the hand to hand
lighting until the law was enacted,
Senator Delivers communications to
the Commercial Exchange In Decen,.
Der, 1904, and January, 1905, show that
at that time he did not appreciate the
need of an amendment to the law. In
this correspondence he said that
there was, sufficient relief under the
law we had. Later he did apprecia-
ate 1t fully and played leading part
in securing its enactment Notwitb.
standing his earnest fight, however,
the law would have been defeated had
1t not been for the efforts of Judge
CoWan, who was kept in Washington
continuously by the stockmen Of the
west. Judge Cowan enjoyed the
friendship and confidence of the pres.
ident and leading members Of both
parties in both houses. This enabled
him to do what no other man could
have done. He kept the representa-
tlves> OF the stock interests of the
west fully Informed, and the latter
on many different occasions brought
pressure to bear on their representa-.
tives In congress at the critical time.
Senator Dolliver was in congress.
where his work for this law would
count Governor Cummins was in
Iowa, where he could exert nothing
but influence. He was, however, and
had been ever since 1902. the leader
Of the anti-monopoly forces Of the
state.
Cummins' Influence in Nation,
The laws enacted bv the last session
of the Iowa legislature. nearly all Of
which was suggested and pushed by the
governor, are SO recent and the bene-
fits so obvious that it is not necessary
to review them. Suffice it to saw that
in agitating for these state reforms he
has done more to secure national leg
1slat1on which the progressive people
OF iowa have been demanding than
any of our senators and representa-
tlves IN congress. He has done this
as leader Of anti monopoly sentiment
which when finally aroused, forced our
unwilling servants in Washington to
do what they should have done long
before. 1t is because Of this that ne
enjoys the ennity of many Of our
congressional delegation. This is not
surprising, for 1t is said that even
the saints when they are walked UP
wake up cross.
l have thus passed in review the
movements looking toward reform for
the last ten years. Careful students
OF human events are beginning to
recognize that these ten years have
introduced new era. The period of
1901 to 1905 was period Of vast con-
| QNli6affnn fo1 t. -, -
even the most causual observer that
until there is new crisis and another
new era the business OF the country
will be done by these vast organiza
tions Of capital. We can no more go
back to the condition Of twenty years
ago than the man can go back to his
boyhood. The intense agitation
been caused by the recognition Of the
fact that these organizations having
been formed will continue and must
In some way be controlled.
The problem of the statesman for
the next twenty years will be how to
perfect the methods OF control now
adopted, and in which both Governor
cummins and Senator Dolliver have
taken conspicious part; and
still further. to remove from
these great corporations every
vestige Of unfair advantage which
they now enjoy over the in
dividual TO do this effectively the
people must put in the high places
men who are not merely in sympathy
but active and energetic advocates OF
the complete control Of these corpora
advantages which they may in any
way enjoy.
The Shame Of the Strife.
In view of this great necessity it is
pity and burning shame that two
men like the senator and the governor
who by birth, by instinct and by edu-
cation should not only be aligned but
actively cooperating in the solving OF
these great problems that press upon
us, should now be crossing swords with
each other. There is no good reason
nor any reason which can be safely
avowed for the personal bitterness that
has been injected into this preliminary
cam"aign. No right-minded man will
object to Senator Dolliver champion
Ing the cause Of Senator Allison. He
is his colleague, his long time person
or that belongs rightfully to old age,
and long and honorable career of
public service. But there is no rea-
son why Senator Dolliver in his pub
lie addresses should belittle the pub
lie services of Governor Cummins, who
has been laborino earnestly and effec-
lively for at least six years for the
adoption of policies of which the rate
bill is the result and the crown, and
who has unselfishly exercised such a
powerful influence for righteous legis-
lation In both state and nation.
By this unseemly, foolish strife as to
which should be greatest, we are in
very serious danger Of losing all that
we have gained after ten years strug-
gle. 1t is an open secret that the rail-
roads-bv which we mean the Harri-
mans, the Goulds, the Morgans. etc,
who control these great railroad sys-
tems-are about to advance rates ovsr
the entire country in the neighbor-
hood of 10 per cent. The business in
terests are all organizing to resist 1t.
Stripped Of all disguises, the attitude
Of these magnates is this; The pub
lie owes us interest on all the bonds
1o hn y