Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-05-13
QUESTIONS TO GOVERNOR cUMMINs.

y
Senator Allison. I am not a candi-
date for Senator AlIison's place nor
have l ever suggested the thing to-
mortal man. 1t is simply abominable
the way my enemies lie about me. /
am candidate for governor, nothing
else 1t would be just as appropriate
for me to deny that I was a candidate
for president of the United States or
for the appointment of some vacancy
on the supreme court of the United
States as to deny candidacy against
| Senator Allison. 1t is unmitigated
rot and should not deceive any man.
With sincere regards, l am,
Yours very truly,
albert b. Cummins.
Why did you assure Congressman
Birdsell after your denomination for
the governorship in 1906 that you
would not be candidate for Senator
Allison's place and request him to
make this announcement in speeches
favoring your election?
Why did you ask Senator Dolliver
in December. 1906. to extend your
Christmas greetings to Senator ALI
son and assure him that you would
never be can lidate against him?
Why did you say in your speech at
Churdan September "a, 1906. opening
the campaign of that year:
"Senator Allison is the beloved nes-
tor of republicanism. not only in our
commonwealth. but throughout the
union; and without respect to party,
the people are praying for his speedy
restoration to perfect health, and for
his long continuance in the public
service. ?''
In your address August 1, 1905, to
the convention which renominated
you for governor why did you say of
the delegation in congress whose
treachery to the people the past
twenty years is now offered in ex-
PLANTATION of your senatorial candi-
dacy:
SIT is the proud distinction of our
commonwealth that in the session of
congress just closed the delegation
from our state stood nearer to this
great leader president Roosevelt)
than the delegation from any other
state in the union. And without in
vidious comparison, I desire to EN-.
brace this opportunity to lay the tri-
butte of my praise at the feet of our
delegation to congress.
If you are friend of the farmers of
Iowa, why did you say as witness
before the interstate commerce COM
mittee of the United States Senate:
81 think our people go into the
eastern market with butter and eggs
upon a rate to which they are not en-
titled in any fair adjustment.
If you believe in protection as sys-
tenn, why did you declare in your in
augural address Of January. IA, 1904.
in favor of reciprocity with Canada
in natural products. saying to the
farmers of Iowa:
"You would never be able to discern
the influence of Canada in corn, oats,
barley, hay, cattle. horses, hogs, but
ter and eggs."?
If you favor sound money, why,
STIMULATING only that the coinage ratio
between gold and silver should he
based on what you called the SIN
trinsic value" did you say in your
letter to DR.. Gorrell in September,
1898, a month after Senator Allison
had voted for repeal of the purchase
clause of the Sherman Law:
II am in favor of the free coinage
of silver. not only Of American silver.
but of all silver, being absolutely sure
that it will not and cannot be coined
to excess.
Why did the brewers and wholesale
liquor dealers in Iowa raise fund in
1906 for your reelection?
Why did you as a member OF the
Twenty second general assembly vote
against the two cent fare bill and the
bill making railroad commissioners
elective by the people?
Why did your delegates to the con-
vention which nominated you for
governor in 1901 travel to Cedar
Rapids on passes furnished by the O.,
M. & st. p, Rock Island and other
railway companies?
Why did you travel on passes for
twenty five years preceding your can.
didacy for a third term as Governor?
Except for the reason that the
states expenditures under the last five
calendar years of your careful and
frugal reform administration were
1916, $50. 30 above its receipts, and
notw ithstanding the treasury on jan
uary /. 1908, held surplus Of 3l.171,-
443. 88, why ia it that. with net IN
crease Of $475. 900 in state taxes for the
present biennial period, the state
treasury on February 1. 1908, held
$1O4, 2O2.8 below the amount re-
quired to meet outstanding warrants
and that, il the state meanwhile ex-
ponds the appropriations authorized. a
deficit of $3.50, 600 will have to be car
ried over to the next biennial period?
Will you. answer to the people Of
Iowa?
Tho vOica that ia heard without